Downe House Admissions Guide: 11+ & 13+ Boarding
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Nestled in the Berkshire countryside, Downe House is an all-girls boarding school. Known for its strong academic record, traditional house structure, and French exchange campus in Veyrines, Downe House attracts families from across London, the UK, and international education hubs.
Understanding the Downe House Assessment Journey
Downe House offers primary entry at 11+ (Lower School) and 13+ (Upper School).
11+ (Year 7) Entry Route
Assessment takes place during November and December of Year 6 prior to entry:
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Computerised Assessment: An adaptive cognitive assessment evaluating Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Spatial Awareness, and Quantitative skills.
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Written Exercise: A paper-based creative or persuasive writing task evaluating vocabulary, grammar, and planning.
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Assessment Day & Interview: Girls spend a day on campus participating in collaborative group activities alongside an individual interview with the Headmistress or Senior Admissions staff.
13+ (Year 9) Entry Route
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Stage 1 Pre-Assessment: Candidates complete cognitive pre-testing or Assessment Days during Year 6 or Year 7 to secure conditional offers.
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Stage 2 Confirmation: Conditional offers are confirmed via standard Common Entrance (CE) or internal papers in Year 8, primarily used for academic streaming.
What Downe House Looks For
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Boarding Readiness: Assessors look for girls who are self-reliant, enthusiastic about community living, and eager to contribute to sports, music, and drama.
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Collaborative Skills: Group problem-solving activities during Assessment Days highlight how candidates interact and support peers in a group setting.
How Exceptional Academics Helps
Secure your daughter's place at Downe House with expert digital pre-test preparation, written assessment practice, and mock interview coaching. Email us at info@exceptionalacademics.com to see how we can help.