GirlsIndependentBoarding

Downe House

Thatcham, West Berkshire, South East · RG18 9JJ

Founded in 1907, Downe House is an independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18, set in Thatcham, West Berkshire. With around 570 pupils, including 163 in the sixth form, it remains a medium-sized community with a Church of England character. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school excellent across the board, including for personal development, and found it fully compliant. A notable feature is the breadth of languages on offer, with French, Chinese and Italian all taught, and Chinese ranking among the most popular GCSE choices.

570

Pupils

excellent

ISI

£45,324

Day fees / yr

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Overview & data

Gender: Girls
Type: independent (fee-paying) school
Age range: 11-18
Pupils: 570
Location: Thatcham, West Berkshire, South East
Telephone: 01635 200286

Entrance & admissions

Entry age: 11

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Headteacher

Headmistress Mrs Emma McKendrick

Latest results

Attainment 8

18.6

National average 46.9

GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)

National average 47%

GCSE grade 9-7

74%

A-level A*-A

60%

A-level A*-B

83%

Teaching & academics

Results at the top end are strong: 74% of GCSE entries reach grades 9 to 7, while at A-level 60% achieve A*-A and 83% A*-B. Sciences and humanities feature heavily among sixth-form choices, with Mathematics, English Literature, Chemistry, Biology and Economics all popular, and an EPQ available alongside the standard A-level programme. Around 27% of pupils receive SEN support, suggesting a school accustomed to meeting a range of learning needs. The published Attainment 8 figure of 18.6 sits well below the national average of 46.9 and is best read alongside the school's own GCSE grade distribution.

Sixth form

Sixth-form pupils: 163

Popular A-level subjects

MathematicsEnglish LiteratureChemistryBiologyEconomicsHistoryGeographyFrench

Qualifications offered

GCSEA-levelEPQ

Learning support & SEN

SEN support: 27.31%
EHC plans: 0.18%

Arts & extracurricular

Scholarships

MusicAcademicArtDramaSportsHead's Awards

Languages

FrenchChineseItalian

Popular GCSE subjects

FrenchGeographyReligious StudiesChinese

Sport

Main sports

LacrosseTennis

Beyond the classroom

Lacrosse and tennis anchor the sporting programme, and scholarships in music, art, drama and sport point to active provision beyond the classroom. Head's Awards and academic scholarships round out the opportunities for pupils with particular talents.

Ethos & heritage

Founded: 1907
Religious character: C of E
Boarding: Yes

Money matters

Day fees (per year): £45,324
Boarding fees (per year): £60,912
Bursaries up to: 110% of fees

Bursaries offered throughout with 'fundraising focus'. Centenary fund provides for local day pupils. Works with Royal National Children's SpringBoard Foundation.

Inspection reports

ISI rating: excellent
ISI personal development: excellent
Last inspected: 12 November 2024

Read the full inspection report ↗

The last word

A long-established girls' boarding school with genuine breadth in languages and a strong showing at the top GCSE and A-level grades. Bursary schemes, including a centenary fund for local day pupils, widen access to a school whose fees reach the upper end.

The Passmate verdict