Downe House School

• Language of instruction: English
• Established: in 1907
• Location of Downe House School: United Kingdom, Newbury, Berkshire
• Age of students: 11 to 18 years
• Curriculum: secondary school, GCSE / IGCSE, A-level, Pre-U
• Total number of students: 560 people, all at the boarding house (100% ), 180 of them are participants of the Six Form program.
• Type of study: single (only girls)
• Type of accommodation: residence.

Downe House School is one of the best women's boarding schools, accepting children from 11 to 18 years for studying. Establishment of more than 100 years carefully preserves and supports academic and Christian traditions, principles, postulates; It was founded in 1907 (in today's place is located since 1921) in the former manor of Charles Darwin.

Olivia Willis was the first director who was at the helm for more than 40 years: she dreamed of creating a place for high quality, comprehensive education of girls, without finding such a school among those existing at the time. At the same time, she wanted to preserve a certain degree of freedom and the natural course of life by supporting high academic standards, educating girls in emotions and a passion for learning, knowledge, the world around them. Mrs. Willis sought to reduce the distance between teachers and students, not to build teachers on an unattainable pedestal, and to take into account the differences between young men and young ladies.

Today in Downe House both UK citizens and foreign students from all over the world study. The campus is located at the distance of 90 kilometers from London in the small town of Newbury. The total area reaches 110 acres of beautiful forest zone with well-kept green lawns and for walks. The distance to the major international airport of Heathrow can be overcome in 45 minutes by car.

The basis of school activities is an individual approach, comprehensive support of girls, assistance in the disclosure of talents and abilities. Thanks to this, the graduates not only demonstrate an excellent level of knowledge, but also clearly know their strengths, what they want to achieve and how to achieve better results. Here they bring up a full-fledged personality, "global citizens of the future", capable of building a successful international career, possessing flexibility, breadth of views, non-standard and creative thinking.

Students, in many respects due to residence at the boarding house, are practically not limited to a strict schedule of the day: they can devote sufficient time to academic and extra-curricular activities, creative and sports activities. The unique educational space created in Downe House covers the widest list of disciplines and sciences - from mathematics to cooking, from computer literacy to etiquette. The total number of destinations exceeds 40, in addition, there are extensive opportunities for extra-curricular employment: various concerts, performances, master classes, lectures and creative meetings.

Girls during the studying period have time to undergo education and live in France, to participate in the charitable programs of the countries of South Africa, India and Malaysia, as part of the Lacrosse team to visit the United States.

Down House provides an opportunity to receive valuable, comprehensive knowledge on a wide range of subjects - both basic academic and aesthetic directions (art, music, drama). Teaching actor's skill is deservedly considered to be one of the best in the country.

Each girl receives an individual program and studying scheme: all personal characteristics, inclinations, talents and opportunities are taken into account in order to make the education as effective, efficient and comfortable as possible. Classes are held from 9:00 to 18:00 with obligatory breaks for tea and lunch (11 lessons, including homework and independent work). The studying classes are small: usually 10-22 people, in the Six Form groups are even less (6-8 people). After 18:00, the students have time to attend elective and interest clubs, it's time for dinner and toasts with hot chocolate, there is an opportunity to chat with friends and relax.

There are 12 comfortable residences on the campus. Each is surrounded by forest and green lawns: it is especially pleasant to relax on a fine day, to have a barbecue or a picnic, to walk with new friends. 11-year-old girls live in 2 hostels of the Lower School (a small village of Cold Ash in the park zone, in a few minutes walk from the main building) in rooms for 2-6 people; for them the rooms are equipped with small kitchens and cozy living rooms for recreation, a playground.

13-year-old girls move into separate houses: here they live until all final exams are taken.

Six Form students occupy 2 boarding houses - they are specially equipped for independent living and hard studying. The senior pupils have more personal freedom, more democratic relations with their mentors, more spacious living rooms for recreation, and their bedrooms are designed for 1-2 people. They can freely leave the territory (having previously notified the personnel), attend exhibitions, cinemas and theaters.

Meals are organized on a full board basis: a spacious common dining room three times a day is visited by the students, also in the residences there are functional kitchens where the girls can cook meals to their liking. The menu has a large selection of hot dishes, snacks and salads, there is the possibility of organizing a diet or hypoallergenic ration, dishes for representatives of individual religions (for example, Islam or Judaism), for vegetarians.

In each residence the main tutor is permanently: he not only monitors order, cleanliness and discipline, but also guarantees complete safety of girls, maintains a friendly and benevolent atmosphere. Educators know every student, her characteristics and needs, hobbies and attachments and are always ready to help with the solution of any questions, at any time of the day. Each new student receives a mentor from among high school students: this helps to adapt quickly to school life, to join the collective and school life more quickly, to find new friends. Six Form students also have a personal leader - usually a teacher with similar interests - who supports girls, gives useful advice, helps determine the choice of university and specialization for further education.

Also in each residence there is a professional, experienced nurse on duty, and on the campus there is a full-fledged medical center with all the necessary personnel and equipment.

Subject list: biology, chemistry, Culinary skills, design, economics, English literature, geography, history, maths, music, photography, physical education, physics, politics, Religious studies

Among the most popular sports activities are the following:

• Lacrosse (especially successful)
• General fitness
• netball
• Swimming
• Diving
• Hockey
• Polo
• Tennis
• Squash
• Fencing
• Gymnastics
• Sailing
• Track and field athletics
• Jumping on the trampoline
• Cross-country.

Do not stand aside and creatively gifted girls - for them works a great variety of clubs and circles of interest, a variety of sections where everyone can express themselves, develop their personal talents and abilities. Here are some examples of extra-curricular activities:

• The Scottish Society
• The Chamber Orchestra
• The Scientific Society "Phoenix"
• Choirs
• The club of young crossword lovers
• Political society
• Contemporary dance
• Big-band
• Car service
• Rock bands
• Snorkeling
• Art club
• Christian union
• Ceramics
• Debates and public appearances
• Ballet
• The Young Entrepreneurs Society
• Making jewelry.

Downe House is famous for its charitable activities, organization and implementation of projects to assist schools in all over the world (Malaysia, India, Africa, Romania), helping disabled people and the elderly.

In their free time the students travel a lot (including in other countries), attend premiere screenings and theatrical performances, musicals, exhibitions. Many scenic plays the girls put themselves, participate with them in various competitions and festivals, take prizes in competitions in drama and vocal. 2-3 glad in a year fascinating, colorful, unusual Scottish (or as they are called, Caledonian) balls are held.

High school students (14 years and over) can participate in the race for the Duke of Edinburgh Prize, take part in the "Young Entrepreneurs" scheme, show diplomatic talents in the UN model. Also, participants in the Six Form final program can attend the "Holistic Program" course: seminars on massage, meditation, aromatherapy, yoga and pilates lessons, body-balance.

Graduates show excellent academic success and results:

• 100% enrolled in selected universities (Ireland, Great Britain, Europe and the USA);
• 15% of graduates choose to study in Universities Russell-groups (Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol University);
• The most common and successful specializations are foreign languages, medicine, natural and social sciences, economics, English philology, politics, art;
• According to 2013 data, the I / GCSE results are as follows: 98% of the pupils received scores from A * to B (of which 55% are A *, 87% from A * to A);
• According to statistics for 2013, the results of the A-level exams: 75% of the girls received grades from A * to B (of which the highest score is A * - 13.8%, from A * to A - 50%);
• According to the results of the Pre-U exam for 2013, 2.6% of the students received D1, 21.9% - D2, 31.8% - D3; Points M1 and M2 received 14.6% and 12% of graduates, respectively;
• The school takes the prestigious 25th place among the English private boarding schools for girls according to the A-level results (data for 2012).

Downe House is proud of its technical equipment, which fully meets all the high standards of world education. Spacious, bright audiences with interactive, computer and multimedia equipment are equipped here, in 2008 a special room was opened for languages ​​with the latest language equipment. Also on campus there is own theater, and in the near future there will be built an additional building for younger students and a residence for girls 11 years.

The sports infrastructure is saturated and developed - Down House pays close attention to the physical development of its pupils. There are 17 tennis courts, a spacious heated swimming pool (length - 25 meters), a playing field for all weather conditions, a functional sports hall (most often dance and fitness classes are provided), 6 lacrosse fields, glazed squash courts.

The academic year is divided into traditional trimesters alternating with vacations for the rest of the pupils:

• Autumn: from September 8 to December 15 (holidays from October 24 to November 1)
• Spring: from 10 January to 23 March (holidays from 13 to 21 February)
• Summer: 19 April - 6 July (vacation from 27 May to 5 June).

The cost of one trimester of study is 11320 £, one year - 33960 £.

Please note that there are some surcharges and fees not included in the basic cost of the program:

• Registration fee = £ 150;
• Deposit for confirmation of place on the program = 1500 £ (payable on admission);
• Three-month deposit;
• Supporting English language courses for foreign students (EFL) = £ 1200 / trimester;
• Registration in the guardian agency and guardian services;
• Initial testing level of knowledge.

Extras:

• Registration fee (for a programme/course) 200 GBP
• Deposit for a course/programme 2000 GBP

Enrollment in Down House is conducted on a competitive basis, and the selection is rather strict. To enter the school at the age of 11, you need to:

• Pass Entrance Examinations (Common Entrance Examination) for a high score;
• Take a special test (the day is appointed by the Admissions Committee).

If you plan to enter the Six Form, the requirements will be even stricter:

• At least 7 GCSE \ IGCSE exams must be passed at least B. The higher score - the higher the chance of successful enrollment.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision