The Downe House Podcast

Welcome to the Downe House podcast, where you can learn more about life at Downe House School. In this episode, we’re reflecting on the recent Academic Conference we held at the school, focusing on the Bright Side of Education. Among the many topics discussed was the importance of play and joy to bring out the best in our students. Joining Simon Jones on the podcast are Matt Godfrey, Deputy Head w...

Welcome to the Downe House podcast, where you can learn more about life at Downe House School. In this episode, we’re discussing wellbeing and its very prominent feature in all aspects of life at Downe House. In May, we hosted a wellbeing Residency in the Murray Centre and Simon Jones met with Ellie Llewellyn, Director of Pupil Wellbeing, Alex in the Lower Sixth and Belle in the Lower Fifth, to fi...

Welcome to the Downe House podcast where you can learn more about life at Downe House School. In this episode we're discussing the Colloquium which we recently held together with Harrow School. A select group of girls and boys from both schools researched academic questions which they presented to an audience at the Royal Society in London. Joining our host, Simon Jones, on the podcast are Miss Ma...

Welcome to the Downe House podcast, where you can learn more about life at Downe House School. In this episode, we’re looking ahead to the new girls who will be joining our community in September. We’ll be discussing New Girls’ Open Day, Settling in Day and What to Pack, ahead of that first day of term. Joining Simon on the podcast are Olivia and Ottavia, newly appointed Head Ambassadors in the Lo...

Welcome to the Downe House podcast, where you can learn more about life at Downe House School. In this episode, we’re taking to the streets of the capital, re-living the London Landmarks Half Marathon, which saw a team of 50 girls and staff from Downe House take part. The team was galvanised by Hettie, our Head Senior, in aid of Tommy’s, the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity. Joining Si...

Welcome to the Downe House podcast, where you can learn more about life at Downe House School. In this episode, we shine a spotlight on girls in sport - their participation in schools nationally, and how schools like Downe House are working hard to empower girls to embrace sport, and to remove barriers that dent confidence. In this episode, Simon Jones is joined by Director of Sport at Downe House...

Welcome to the Downe House podcast, where you can learn more about life at Downe House School. In this episode, we shine a spotlight on women in finance - a powerful, fast-moving industry and a popular career choice for pupils once they leave Downe. Simon Jones is joined by alumna Alexandra Wyatt , who left Downe House in 2009, and is now an Executive Director at J.P. Morgan, and pupils Koyinsola...

Welcome to the Downe House Podcast, where we explore life and learning at Downe House School. In this episode, we’re celebrating one of the biggest highlights of the year — our Under 15A lacrosse team being crowned National Champions! Joining Simon Jones on this episode are Sal Keogh, Coach of Under 15A Lacrosse Team and Captains, Rose, Gigi and Maddie.

Welcome to the Downe House Podcast, where we explore life and learning at Downe House School. In this episode, we shine a spotlight on charity at Downe House and the inspiring ways our girls, alumnae, and parents are shaping communities around the world. Our host, Simon Jones, is joined by alumna Winky Skevington (née Lee), co-founder of the Hummingbird Initiative; parent Rhoda Phillips, founder o...

Welcome to the Downe House Podcast, where we explore life and learning at Downe House School. In this episode, we’re celebrating one of the biggest highlights of the year — House Music . With House spirit alive and well at Downe House, we take you behind the scenes of this much-loved annual competition, where talent, teamwork and friendly rivalry take centre stage. Joining Simon Jones on this epis...

Welcome to the Downe House Podcast, where we explore life and learning at Downe House School. In this episode, we turn the spotlight on Dance at Downe House—from beginners taking their first steps to elite dancers training at the highest level. Our host, Simon Jones, is joined by Mrs Olivia Cadle, Head of Extra-Curricular Performing Arts, along with dancers Hanna, Marvellous and Sage.

Welcome to the Downe House podcast, where you can learn more about life at Downe House School. In this episode, we explore how Downe House supports girls to develop Friendships for Life , through a strong sense of community and everyday experiences. From the classroom to the boarding house, lasting friendships are fostered through kindness, confidence and respect, which stay with them long after t...

Welcome to the Downe House Podcast, where we explore life and learning at Downe House School. In this episode, we turn the spotlight on our Academic Enrichment Programme — from Debating, Law and Medical Society to Art History, Coding and Psychology Clubs, there are more than 50 such societies taking place at School every week. Our host, Simon Jones, is joined by Mr Chris Gill, Head of Academic Enr...

Welcome to the Downe House podcast where you can learn more about Downe House School. In this episode, we’re exploring Tennis at Downe House – a highly popular sport which our girls play all year round. From absolute beginners to our top elite players, our team of coaches provide coaching to around two thirds of the girls at School. Our host, Simon Jones meets our Head of Racquet Sports and former...

In this episode, we’re joined by Theo Clarke, distinguished alumna, former MP for Stafford, and one of our Downe House alumnae of the year for 2025. Theo made history by chairing the first parliamentary inquiry into birth trauma and founding the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Birth Trauma. She’s also served in government across Education, Business, Trade and the Tr...

In this episode of the podcast, host Simon Jones explores the Academic Scholars Programme at Downe House, featuring insights from three students and the Head of Scholars. The discussion covers the programme's structure, the importance of curiosity in academic pursuits, and the interdisciplinary nature of the scholars' projects. The students share their personal experiences, highlighting how the pr...

In this episode of the podcast Simon discusses the experiences of day girls at Downe House with the Head of Day Girls, Hannah Pilgrim, and three pupils. They explore the daily life of day girls, the support they receive, and the opportunities available to them, emphasising the community aspect and the seamless integration with boarders. Takeaways Hannah Pilgrim oversees all day girls and ensures t...

In this episode Head Senior Hettie and Deputy Head Senior Rose discuss their roles, the importance of integration among students, and the exciting game of assassins designed to foster community. They share insights on leadership, the significance of pupil voice, and their experiences joining the school. The conversation highlights the vibrant community at Downe House and the opportunities availabl...

Summary In this episode of the Downe House podcast, the focus is on the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), a course designed for sixth form students to develop their research and analytical skills. Ms. Victoria Ryan, Head of EPQ, discusses the structure of the course, the importance of independent research, and how it prepares students for university. Two sixth formers, Camille and Imogen, shar...

Summary In this episode of the Downe House podcast, the host discusses the recent Founders Weekend productions of The Addams Family and Little Women with the Director of Performing Arts, Mr. Rob Castell, and several cast members. They explore the unique challenges and experiences of performing two very different productions in the same venue, the preparation and character development involved, and...

Summary In this episode of the Downe House Podcast, Simon Jones explores how Downe House School supports multilingual learners, particularly those for whom English is an additional language. He is joined by Mrs Nicola South-Kline, teacher in charge of EAL (English as an Additional Language), along with two pupils, Angel and Angela, who share their personal journeys. Nicola outlines the school’s co...

Summary Welcome to the Downe House podcast where you can learn more about Downe House School. In this episode, we’re shining the light on our Learning Skills Department, a department which focuses on individual progress, in a way bespoke way to suit each pupil. There is no one ‘right’ way of thinking, learning, and behaving and in our school and differences are embraced and supported. Simon Jones...

Summary In this episode of the Downe House Podcast, host Simon Jones takes a closer look at life in York House, one of the sixth form boarding houses at Downe House School, as the school prepares to welcome a new cohort of pupils in September. He is joined by Head of House Booth, along with Housemistresses Mrs Beth Mears-Smith and Mrs Stephanie Waite-Roberts, who share insights into the unique cha...

Summary In this episode, Simon Jones explores how Downe House supports pupils during exam season through wellbeing initiatives, focusing on the ever-popular “puppy therapy” sessions. He speaks with pupils Chloe and Lorna, Examinations Officer Mrs Clara Pilkington, and Curtis Henry from Paws in Work, the organisation that provides the puppies. Together, they reflect on how puppy therapy offers a jo...

Welcome to the Downe House podcast where you can learn More about Downe House School. In this episode, we're discussing the importance of giving children a slower childhood and not growing up too fast. In this episode, we are privileged to be joined by Mr Andrew De Silva, Head of the Oratory Prep School, one of our feeder schools, together with Serena in Year 8 who's looking forward to joining Dow...