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  • Independent school for girls

Downe House School: entry, assessments, dates and fees

Facts checked 19 October 2026By ExamKind Editorial TeamSchool website

Can we apply, and when?

  • Registration closes

    Not published yet

  • Places at 11+

    55

    Each year at 11+

    Checked, source: Downe House School, checked

  • Fees at 11+, day

    £11,621a term

    2026–27 school year, including VAT

    Checked, source: Downe House School, checked

Downe House School sets its own tests and decides after them and the interviews. We have not found a published pass mark, so we do not show one.

How entry works

How entry works

Ways in, and how children are assessed

Downe House School takes new pupils at 11+, 13+ and 16+. Each way in has its own tests and dates.

  • 11+ entry

    55 places

    How children are assessed: a piece of creative writing, an interview, a group activity, a reference from the current school, the ISEB Common Pre-Test (an online test many independent schools share) and cambridge select insight.

Other ways in: 13+ and 16+Places, tests and registration for each

  • 13+ entry

    45 places

    How children are assessed: a piece of creative writing, an interview, a group activity, the ISEB Common Pre-Test (an online test many independent schools share), cambridge select insight and common entrance. Tests are taken in Year 6, with a place offered ahead of entry.

  • 16+ entry

    How children are assessed: an interview, GCSE grade requirements and own subject papers.

Source: Downe House School, checked

More about entry from our guide

Downe House describes its admissions timetable in terms of school years (for example, the Pre-Test by the end of November and offers by the end of December of the year before entry), and its detailed procedure cards are published on a third-party viewer, so this page does not list exact dates.

11+ (Year 7)

  • Places: about 55Downe House School: PlacesChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: Approximately 55 girls enter Downe House aged 11+ each yearView the official source
  • What the school assesses: Cambridge Select Insight (CEM Select)Downe House School: Cambridge select insightChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: Day pupils will also be asked to sit the ISEB Pre-Test at their current school, or, for those applying from the state sector or from a school which does not support the ISEB Pre-Test, girls will be asked to come and sit a computerised CEM test at Downe House.View the official source; group or team activityDowne House School: Group activityChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: At our Assessment Days, girls take part in a variety of activities – from drama and design technology to team building workshops.View the official source; interviewDowne House School: InterviewChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: Every girl has an interview with the Headmistress, completes a piece of creative or persuasive writingView the official source; ISEB Common Pre-TestDowne House School: Iseb pretestChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: Following the 11+ and 12+ Assessment days, girls are asked to sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test at their current school or, for overseas pupils, at a local testing centre.View the official source; creative or extended writing taskDowne House School: Own creative writingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: Every girl has an interview with the Headmistress, completes a piece of creative or persuasive writingView the official source; reference or report from current schoolDowne House School: ReferenceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: we will also request a report from your daughter’s current Headteacher prior to this assessmentView the official source

13+ (Year 9)

Girls can be offered a deferred Year 9 place after assessment in Year 6Downe House School: Pre test year groupChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: For 13+ candidates, assessment takes place in the Michaelmas (Autumn) term when pupils are in year 6.View the official source; these offers are unconditional, and Common Entrance is used only for setting. The school gives 45Downe House School: PlacesChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: 45 girls enter Downe House aged 13+ each year.View the official source places at 13+.

  • Places: 45Downe House School: PlacesChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: 45 girls enter Downe House aged 13+ each year.View the official source
  • What the school assesses: Cambridge Select Insight (CEM Select)Downe House School: Cambridge select insightChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: Day pupils will also be asked to sit the ISEB Pre-Test at their current school, or, for those applying from the state sector or from a school which does not support the ISEB Pre-Test, girls will be asked to come and sit a computerised CEM test at Downe House.View the official source; ISEB Common EntranceDowne House School: Common entranceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: We ask 13+ candidates to sit the 13+ Common Entrance examination in June of year 8 for setting purposes only.View the official source; group or team activityDowne House School: Group activityChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: The Assessment day includes an interview with the Headmistress, a collaborative task and a piece of creative or persuasive writing.View the official source; interviewDowne House School: InterviewChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: The Assessment day includes an interview with the Headmistress, a collaborative task and a piece of creative or persuasive writing.View the official source; ISEB Common Pre-TestDowne House School: Iseb pretestChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: First, they are asked to sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test at their current school or as early as their school or test centre allows in October/November.View the official source; creative or extended writing taskDowne House School: Own creative writingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: The Assessment day includes an interview with the Headmistress, a collaborative task and a piece of creative or persuasive writing.View the official source
  • First assessment taken in: Year 6Downe House School: Pre test year groupChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: For 13+ candidates, assessment takes place in the Michaelmas (Autumn) term when pupils are in year 6.View the official source
  • Offers made early for deferred entry: YesDowne House School: Deferred offerChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: Unconditional offers are made following success in the ISEB Common Pre-Test, or alternative test, and an Assessment Day in the Autumn term of year 6.View the official source

16+ (sixth form, Year 12)

Sixth-form applicants sit subject papers and have an interview, and offers depend on GCSE grades.

  • What the school assesses: GCSE grade requirementsDowne House School: Gcse requirementsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: Candidates are required to achieve a minimum of seven I/GCSE examinations at Grade 6 (B) or above, preferably with Grade 9/8 (A*) in those subjects she wishes to study in the Sixth Form.View the official source; interviewDowne House School: InterviewChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: On completion of examination papers, successful candidates will be invited for an interview by the Head of Sixth Form and the Headmistress at the end of November.View the official source; subject papersDowne House School: Own subject papersChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: For 16+ entry into our Sixth Form, your daughter will be required to sit three examination papers between 1 October and 1 November in the year prior to entry.View the official source

Key dates

Key dates

Dates not published yetWe add each date when the school publishes it.

At a glance

Downe House School in brief

tap a value for its source

Ages
11 to 18AgesChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: An independent boarding and day school in Berkshire for girls aged 11-18, Downe House is a traditional school with a sharp focus on the future.View the official source
The ages the school teaches, from youngest to oldest.
Scholarships
7 kinds
Awards for a talent, such as academic work, music or sport.
Day or boarding
day pupils and boarders
Whether pupils go home each day or can live at the school.
Ways in
11+, 13+, 16+
The ages at which the school takes new pupils (4+, 11+ and so on).
Help with fees
Yes, up to 100%
Bursaries reduce fees for families on lower incomes, after a check of income and savings.

Fees

From £11,621 a term, including VAT
11+ entry, day
£11,621 a term, including VAT
11+ entry, full boarding
£21,076 a term, including VAT
11+ entry, flexi boarding
£17,625 a term, including VAT
13+ entry, day
£11,621 a term, including VAT
13+ entry, full boarding
£21,076 a term, including VAT
13+ entry, flexi boarding
£17,625 a term, including VAT
16+ entry, day
£11,621 a term, including VAT
16+ entry, full boarding
£21,076 a term, including VAT
16+ entry, flexi boarding
£17,625 a term, including VAT

Fees for the 2026–27 school year, as the school publishes them. We never add or remove VAT.

the published fees include VAT

Deposit when you accept a day place: £2,000.

Source: Downe House School, checked

Joining atDayFull boardingFlexi boarding
11+£11,621 per term (including VAT)Downe House School: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: | Day fees per term | £11,621 |View the official source£21,076 per term (including VAT)Downe House School: BoardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: | Full boarding fees per term | £21,076 |View the official source£17,625 per term (including VAT)Downe House School: Flexi boardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: | Flexi boarding fees per term | £17,625 |View the official source
13+£11,621 per term (including VAT)Downe House School: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: | Day fees per term | £11,621 |View the official source£21,076 per term (including VAT)Downe House School: BoardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: | Full boarding fees per term | £21,076 |View the official source£17,625 per term (including VAT)Downe House School: Flexi boardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: | Flexi boarding fees per term | £17,625 |View the official source
16+£11,621 per term (including VAT)Downe House School: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: | Day fees per term | £11,621 |View the official source£21,076 per term (including VAT)Downe House School: BoardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: | Full boarding fees per term | £21,076 |View the official source£17,625 per term (including VAT)Downe House School: Flexi boardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: | Flexi boarding fees per term | £17,625 |View the official source
  • Registration fee: £240 (day); £395 (boarding/flexi)Downe House School: Registration feeChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: | Registration fee (non-refundable)* – Day – Boarding/Flexi | £240 £395 |View the official source
  • Acceptance deposit (day): £2,000Downe House School: Deposit dayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: | Acceptance Deposit (refundable) – Full & Flexi Boarding pupils whose parents reside within the UK – All other pupils – Day pupils whose parents reside within the UK | £3,000 (paid on acceptance of offer) £10,000 (paid on acceptance of offer) £2,000 (paid on acceptance of offer) |View the official source
  • Acceptance deposit (boarding): £3,000Downe House School: Deposit boardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: | Acceptance Deposit (refundable) – Full & Flexi Boarding pupils whose parents reside within the UK – All other pupils – Day pupils whose parents reside within the UK | £3,000 (paid on acceptance of offer) £10,000 (paid on acceptance of offer) £2,000 (paid on acceptance of offer) |View the official source

Bursaries and scholarships

Bursaries up to 100% of fees
Bursaries (help with fees)
Available, up to 100% of the fees. They depend on a check of household income and savings.
Scholarships
For academic, art, choral, drama, music, organ and sport, at 16+ entry.

Source: Downe House School, checked

  • Largest bursary: up to 100%Downe House School: Max percentChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: We offer financial assistance as high as 100% plus an allowance towards School extrasView the official source of fees, means-tested
  • Scholarships offered: academicDowne House School: AcademicChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: Academic Scholarship papers are sat in the Lent Term prior to entry.View the official source, artDowne House School: ArtChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: Creative Arts ScholarshipsView the official source, choralDowne House School: ChoralChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: Choral Awards (open to all years of entry)View the official source, dramaDowne House School: DramaChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: Performing Arts ScholarshipsView the official source, musicDowne House School: MusicChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: Music ScholarshipsView the official source, organDowne House School: OrganChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: Organ Scholarship (16+ only)View the official source, sportDowne House School: SportChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: Sport ScholarshipsView the official source
  • Scholarship entry points: 16+ (sixth form)Downe House School: 16 plusChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: There are also a number of scholarships available for pupils joining the Sixth Form.View the official source

Open days

Not published yet

We could not find dated open events on the school’s pages we checked. The school’s admissions team can tell you about visits.

Results, as published by the school

A level grades A* to A: 60% (2026)

  • A level grades A* to A, 2026

    60%A level grades A* to A, 2026Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: Overall, 22% of all our girls’ grades are at A*, 60% are A* or A and 85% A* to B.View the official source

    No earlier year published

  • A level grades A* to B, 2026

    85%A level grades A* to B, 2026Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: Overall, 22% of all our girls’ grades are at A*, 60% are A* or A and 85% A* to B.View the official source

    No earlier year published

  • GCSE grades 9 to 7, 2026

    84%GCSE grades 9 to 7, 2026Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: This year, 84% of passes were graded 9-7 (the equivalent of A* or A), with 42% of passes at grade 9 and 68% at grades 9 or 8.View the official source

    No earlier year published

  • GCSE grades 9 to 8, 2026

    68%GCSE grades 9 to 8, 2026Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: This year, 84% of passes were graded 9-7 (the equivalent of A* or A), with 42% of passes at grade 9 and 68% at grades 9 or 8.View the official source

    No earlier year published

Results are the school's own figures. Schools count them in different ways, so compare with care.

YearMeasureFigure
2026A level grades A* to A60%Downe House School: A level astar apercent (2026)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: Overall, 22% of all our girls’ grades are at A*, 60% are A* or A and 85% A* to B.View the official source
2026A level grades A* to B85%Downe House School: A level astar bpercent (2026)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: Overall, 22% of all our girls’ grades are at A*, 60% are A* or A and 85% A* to B.View the official source
2026GCSE grades 9 to 784%Downe House School: Gcse9to7 percent (2026)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: This year, 84% of passes were graded 9-7 (the equivalent of A* or A), with 42% of passes at grade 9 and 68% at grades 9 or 8.View the official source
2026GCSE grades 9 to 868%Downe House School: Gcse9to8 percent (2026)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: This year, 84% of passes were graded 9-7 (the equivalent of A* or A), with 42% of passes at grade 9 and 68% at grades 9 or 8.View the official source

What is distinctive about applying to Downe House

Downe House charges one rate for all senior years for each type of place: £21,076 per term (including VAT)Downe House School: BoardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: | Full boarding fees per term | £21,076 |View the official source for full boarding, £17,625 per term (including VAT)Downe House School: Flexi boardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: | Flexi boarding fees per term | £17,625 |View the official source for flexi boarding and £11,621 per term (including VAT)Downe House School: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: | Day fees per term | £11,621 |View the official source for day girls. The registration fee is £240 (day); £395 (boarding/flexi)Downe House School: Registration feeChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: | Registration fee (non-refundable)* – Day – Boarding/Flexi | £240 £395 |View the official source.

Bursaries are means-tested and can cover up to 100%Downe House School: Max percentChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Downe House School.The source says: We offer financial assistance as high as 100% plus an allowance towards School extrasView the official source of fees. The school's 2026 results were published as provisional and are shown below as published.

Official documents and sources

8 sources, each kept as an archived copy

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