Downe House
A girls' boarding and day school founded in 1907, Downe House sits in Thatcham, West Berkshire, and educates around 570 pupils aged 11 to 18 within a Church of England tradition. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school excellent in both education quality and personal development, with all compliance standards met. With boarding at its heart and a sixth form of 163, it suits families seeking a settled, full-time community alongside strong academic ambition. A notably high proportion of pupils receive SEN support, suggesting individual needs are taken seriously.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
74%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
60%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
83%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 12 November 2024
Teaching & academics
Results sit well above national benchmarks: 74% of GCSE entries reached grades 9-7, against a national average of 23%, while at A-level 60% achieved A*-A and 83% A*-B. The curriculum runs through GCSE, A-level and the EPQ, with languages a clear strength including French, Chinese and Italian. Popular sixth-form choices span the sciences, mathematics, humanities and economics, while Chinese features among favoured GCSE subjects.
Languages
Popular GCSE subjects
Headmistress · Mrs Emma McKendrick
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 163
A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Beyond the classroom
Sport centres on lacrosse and tennis, and scholarships recognise talent across music, art, drama and sport as well as academic ability. Co-curricular life is supported by the boarding structure, with the Head's Awards adding further breadth.
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1907
- Religious character
- C of E
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 27.31%
- EHC plans
- 0.18%
Fees & bursaries
- 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.
Schools nearby
Brockhurst and Marlston House Schools
Thatcham, South East
Priors Court School
Thatcham, South East
Engaging Potential
Newbury, South East
Mary Hare School
Newbury, South East
The Grange School
Thatcham, South East
St Gabriel's School
Berkshire, South East
This isn’t a question bank. Watch it decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
An academically high-performing girls' school where boarding and bursary support, including a centenary fund for local day pupils, widen access. Fees reach £45,324 for day places and £60,912 for boarding.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Downe House 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.