Downe House

Focus 

Traditional education with a modern twist

Day fees 2025/26 

$45,400

Boarding fees 2025/26 

$82,400

Term dates

• Term 1: 2 September to 11 December 2025
• Term 2: 6 January to 24 March 2026
• Term 3: 14 April to 5 July 2026

Ages

11-18

Pupil count 

537

Spear’s Review

Downe House positions itself as a school designed to produce ‘world ready’ young women, by nurturing academic ambition with a strong emphasis on leadership and global awareness. The school’s guiding values – collaboration, resilience, creativity, aspiration and compassion – are woven throughout school life, with pupils encouraged to take on leadership roles from their earliest years through to Sixth Form positions.

A rich co-curricular programme is central to the Downe House experience. Music, drama, art and sport remain popular, alongside pursuits ranging from robotics and debating to clay-pigeon shooting and horse riding. Student-led publications and a high uptake of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award reflect a culture that rewards initiative and intellectual curiosity.

Downe House takes a notably outward-looking approach. Its Global Schools’ Exchange and internship programmes offer pupils opportunities to study or gain professional experience internationally, while the school’s World Ready programme equips girls with practical skills, leadership training and career preparation, supported by a far-reaching alumnae mentoring network.

Academics

In 2025:

• 81 per cent of GCSE results were grades 7-9
  
• 59 per cent of A-Level results were A* or A

Head teacher

Emma McKendrick has been the headmistress of Downe House School since 1997. Her commitment to excellence is evident in the school’s impressive academic results and the diverse opportunities available to its students. She is chair of the board of trustees of the Prep Schools Trust, and a member of the Girls’ Schools Association, the Heads’ Conference and the Boarding Schools’ Association.

University and college destinations

In 2025, 91 per cent of the graduating class continued their education into university, with 3 per cent receiving a place at either Oxford or Cambridge. 

Admissions

The admissions process at Downe House begins with submitting an online application form, followed by the provision of recent school reports and other relevant documents. After the application is reviewed, prospective students take an entrance assessment that includes academic tests and an interview. The interview offers an opportunity for the school to better understand the student’s personality, interests and academic potential.

Notable alumnae

• Catherine, Princess of Wales
• Clare Balding (broadcast journalist)
• Miranda Hart (actress, comedian, writer)

Accessibility

Heathrow Airport: 1 hour

Location

Click for more information about the research process and expert insight behind the Spear’s Schools Index.