Downe House
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Downe House |
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Established | 1907 |
Type | Independent All-female |
Headmistress | |
Location | Berkshire, England |
Website | Downe House |
Downe House is an independent girls boarding school in the English county of Berkshire.
Contents |
[edit] History
Downe House was established as an all-girl boarding school in 1907 by Olive Willis, who undertook the responsibility of being its first headmistress. The school was originally situated in Kent, in the village of Downe in the former house of Charles Darwin and his family. However, the location was too small for the school to grow and progress in academia so the decision was made to move the school to The Cloisters, Cold Ash in Berkshire. By 1921, Olive Willis completed the move to own the Cloisters' grounds and in 1922 the school was moved to Cold Ash and remained there ever since.
[edit] Entry and education
Downe House educates girls aged 11 to 18, making it possible to complete the entire journey from the last years of junior school through finishing A-levels in one school. Girls are allowed to join the school at the ages of 11, 12, 13 or 16 making it possible to join the school in late junior school or upon entering senior school to take advantage of the school's introduction to boarding and its principles or after completing GCSEs.
[edit] Current Staff
Audio Visual Technician: Mr N. R. Jackson
IT Network Manager: Mr H. S. Sehra
IT 2nd/3rd Line Support: Mr. D. F McClymont
IT Co-Ordinator: Mrs R. Smewing
[edit] Notable Alumnae
- Geraldine James, actress
- Lena Townsend, British politician
- Valerie Goulding, disabled persons activist, senator
- Aileen Fox, arcaeologist
- Rosemary Murray, Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University, New Hall founder
- Susannah Feinnes, british artist
- Clare Balding, BBC sports presenter