Downe House School

Since 1997, Emma McKendrick. Studied German and Dutch at the University of Liverpool, during which she spent a year teaching in Germany. Thence to a PGCE (Birmingham) and Royal High School, Bath, where she became head at the tender age of 29. The big

Oversubscribed but not ludicrously so, with around three hopefuls for every place. Fifty-five join at 11; another 45 at 13. Register by end of year 5 for either. ISEB pre-test, assessment day and an interview with the head, who’s looking for

Ninety per cent stay for sixth form; a few go co-ed. Most year 13s off to Russell Groups, some to art colleges or conservatoires. Bristol, Durham, Exeter, King’s College London, Manchester, Oxford Brookes, UCL and Newcastle all popular. North America

In 2024, 74 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 60 per cent A*/A at A level (83 per cent A*-B).

No more than 18 in a class up to GCSE and 12 at A level, though often much smaller. Lower school – years 7 and 8 – taught in mixed-ability groups for all but French, maths and Latin. We found year 8, kitted out in goggles and lab coats, frantically

Neurodiversity front and centre: ‘There is no one “right” way of thinking, learning and behaving,’ school says. Understanding has grown since new head of learning support started, parents tell us. No stigma; girls mutually supportive.

Multilingual

Director of music ‘off-the-scale brilliant’, one parent reports. Over half learn an instrument; young musician of the year competition open for beginners to virtuosos. Every member of lower school is in a choir. ‘Music here is one big adventure,’

One hundred and ten acres of rural Berkshire, including six lacrosse pitches and 17 tennis courts. ‘For our sporty eldest it was like putting a dog in the chicken shed,’ laughs one parent; ‘she’s outdoors every evening, she was so cooped up in

Over 90 per cent board. Years 7 and 8 board with their year group in lower school houses; from years 9 to 11, girls go into vertical houses; back into a horizontal structure for sixth form. Increasing flexibility, with full boarding (with option to

A common-sense approach, driven by what will make sense for the pupils. Mrs McKendrick is ‘very hands-on and just not frightened of teenage girls,’ parents tell us. Partnership with Radley College aims to give ‘girls confidence to have boundaried

‘One third London, one third rest of the UK, one third overseas’ is how school breaks it down; biggest overseas markets remain in the Far East, though increasing interest from India, the Middle East and the USA. Most international pupils are well

Bursaries offered throughout, a ‘fundraising focus’; Centenary fund provides for local day pupils. Works with Royal National Children's SpringBoard Foundation. ‘Predominantly but not exclusively transformational,’ says school, up to 110 per cent.

‘She loves school, the lacrosse, the singing, even the Latin,’ says one mum. ‘She’s seen the light!’, says another, thrilled to have dodged the London scene. A modern boarding school with all the traditional trimmings, these girls are just as happy