FREE Download: Downe House 2026 (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

Downe House is a highly regarded selective independent school for girls aged 11-18. It provides exceptional education from Key Stage 3 (KS3) through to sixth form (6th Form). The school consistently meets all regulatory standards, confirmed by its positive ISI Report.

As one of the best independent schools in UK, Downe's admissions are competitive. Downe House offers a truly global education, with campuses in Muscat and Riyadh, alongside extensive exchange and internship programmes.

Girls benefit from a forward-thinking World Ready Programme and unique academic opportunities, including the annual Downe House Academic Conference featuring high-profile speakers like Miranda Hart, fostering intellectual curiosity and leadership.

In this guide, I translate 18+ years of education consultancy into a roadmap for Downe House 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions.

School Details

• Type of School: Independent
• Boarding Type: Full Boarding, Flexi Boarding, Day
• Gender Type: Girls
• Religion: Christian Ethos
• Age Range: 11-18 years
• Number of Pupils: Approximately 580
• GCSE Results (2025): ​81% of students achieved grades 9-7
• A Level Results (2025): ​83% of students achieved grades A*-B

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Admissions Details

• Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 55
• Exam Board: School's own + ISEB Common Pretest
• Number of Stages: 2
• School Catchment Area: No
• Sibling Policy: No
• Pass Mark guidance: Aim for 90%

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and Downe House Official Website.

Navigating the admissions process for a prestigious independent school like Downe House can feel overwhelming. To assist prospective parents, I have compiled the essential 11+ exam dates and key admissions milestones for Downe House.

Here is a summary of important dates for 11+ entry:

For September 2026 entry, the Downe House 11 plus exam process is a structured journey. As stated in the Downe House Admissions Policy, the 11+ Exam application is clear.

How to register for 11+ exam

• Complete the online registration form and submit the fee for 11 plus exam registration.
• Your daughter attends an Assessment Day for the Stage One Test (academic assessment, activities, Head's interview).
• She then sits the Stage Two Test, an online aptitude test, usually at her current school. A headteacher reference is also required.

Downe House, an independent boarding and day school for girls in West Berkshire, does not operate a formal catchment area. As a selective school, admissions are criteria-led and open to applicants from a wide geographical region, both within the UK and internationally.

Entry to Downe House is based on a comprehensive assessment process designed to identify girls who will thrive within the school's academic and co-curricular environment. This typically includes an online registration, an Assessment Day involving academic assessments, activities, and an interview, followed by an online test such as the ISEB Common Pretest.

For Year 7 applicants, the practical implication is that suitability for the school is determined by performance in these assessments and the interview, rather than by a specific home address or postcode. The school welcomes applications from girls seeking full boarding, flexi boarding, or day pupil places.

When considering a highly sought-after independent school like Downe House, it's always a prudent strategy for parents to explore alternative options. The admissions landscape for top schools is incredibly competitive, with significant oversubscription pressure.

Building a robust backup plan, potentially including a mix of independent and grammar schools if applicable to your daughter's profile and location, ensures you have choices and reduces stress during the application process.

Factors such as commute, specific exam boards, assessment styles, and desired academic outcomes should guide your selection of alternatives.

• The Abbey School, Reading: A highly academic day school in Berkshire, offering a rigorous curriculum and excellent university progression. It appeals to families seeking a strong academic focus without the boarding element of Downe House, and its own entrance exams provide a different assessment style.
• St Mary's Calne: Located in neighbouring Wiltshire, St Mary's is a leading boarding and day school for girls, sharing Downe House's commitment to holistic education and strong pastoral care. Its use of the ISEB Common Pre-test aligns with Downe House's initial assessment, making preparation potentially transferable.
• Heathfield School, Ascot: Also in Berkshire, Heathfield offers a nurturing environment with a strong emphasis on individualised learning and wellbeing, similar to the supportive ethos at Downe House. It provides both boarding and day options and uses the ISEB Pre-test for entry, offering a comparable admissions pathway.

Downe House does not publicly disclose the exact number of applications received for Year 7 entry each year.

While Downe House is a selective independent school, specific figures on the number of applicants for Year 7 places are not published. The school's admissions process is designed to be thorough and supportive, focusing on finding girls who will thrive within its unique environment.

The Admissions team is available to guide prospective families through each step, from initial enquiry to the assessment day. For the most current information regarding the admissions process and any specific queries, parents are encouraged to contact the Downe House Admissions team directly.

Navigating the 11+ admissions process for Downe House can feel complex, but understanding the test format is the first crucial step. As an experienced UK Education Consultant, I've compiled the key details for the Downe House 11 Plus Test for Year 7 entry, ensuring you have clear, actionable information to support your daughter's application.

As stated in the Downe House Admissions Policy, the admissions process includes an Assessment Day and a subsequent online test.

The Downe House 11 Plus Test: A Two-Stage Process

The Downe House 11 Plus Test for Year 7 entry is typically conducted in two distinct stages, designed to assess a candidate's academic potential and suitability for the school's holistic environment.

Stage One Test: Assessment Day

This stage takes place at Downe House during the Autumn Term. Candidates participate in a comprehensive Assessment Day which includes an academic assessment focused on an 11+ English writing task (essay). Marks are awarded for imagination, creativity, structure, and language use.

Beyond the academic test, girls engage in various activities such as drama, design technology, and team-building workshops. This day also includes a tour of the school and lunch with current pupils, providing a taste of school life.

Stage Two Test: Online ISEB Common Pretest

Following the Assessment Day, successful candidates are invited to complete an online test, known as the ISEB Common Pretest. This test is usually taken at the candidate's current school, with a deadline typically in late November of the year preceding entry. The ISEB Common Pretest assesses a range of abilities across four key areas:

• 11+ English: Covers comprehension, sentence completion, spelling, and punctuation.
• 11+ Mathematics: Measures mathematical ability relative to the national curriculum stage.
• Verbal Reasoning: Tests thinking and problem-solving skills with words.
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: Assesses thinking with shapes, diagrams, and pictures.

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Interview Guidance

An integral part of the Downe House admissions process is the interview. Candidates are typically interviewed by the Headmistress or a senior member of staff during the Assessment Day.

This is an opportunity for your daughter to showcase her personality, interests, and enthusiasm for joining Downe House. Encourage her to be herself, speak clearly, and engage thoughtfully with the questions. Familiarising her with common 11+ interview questions can build confidence.

Parent’s Top 2 Queries

• What exam board does Downe House follow?
  Downe House uses a combination of its own bespoke English writing assessment and the ISEB Common Pretest for its online examination component.
• How long is the 11+ Exam for Downe House?
  The English writing task on the Assessment Day does not have a publicly specified duration. The online ISEB Common Pretest, which covers four subjects, typically takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete in total.

Downe House does not publish an official 11 Plus pass mark or specific cut-off score for entry. Success in the eleven plus exam is determined by overall performance across all assessment components.

To be strongly considered for Downe House, children aiming 95%+ in PiAcademy’s 11+ Practice Papers are better positioned. Students should strive to maximise their 11 plus test results across all tested subjects, including English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning, to demonstrate their full academic potential.

For Year 7 entry, Downe House employs a two-stage assessment process designed to identify girls with strong academic potential and a well-rounded profile. Understanding the structure and content of these stages is crucial for effective preparation.

Stage One: Assessment Day (at Downe House)

The initial assessment takes place during an Assessment Day at Downe House. This stage includes an academic assessment focused on English writing, alongside various activities and an interview with the Headmistress.

English (Writing)

The English writing task is a key component of the Assessment Day. It evaluates a candidate's ability to express themselves clearly, creatively, and coherently under timed conditions. Marks are typically awarded for:

• Imagination and creativity in storytelling or descriptive writing.
• Effective use of form, purpose, and organisation.
• Cohesion and logical flow of ideas.
• Accuracy in sentence structure, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

A strong performance in this section demonstrates not only writing proficiency but also critical thinking and imaginative flair.

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Best Resources for Downe House 11+ Preparation

To give your daughter the best chance of success, targeted preparation using high-quality resources is essential. PiAcademy offers a range of materials specifically designed to align with the Downe House 11+ assessment format.

Stage One Resources

For the English writing task on Assessment Day, focus on developing creative writing skills, structuring narratives, and refining grammar and vocabulary.

Stage Two: Online Test (at current school)

Following the Assessment Day, successful candidates are invited to complete an online test, typically taken at their current school. Downe House utilises the ISEB Common Pretest for this stage, which is a standardised assessment covering multiple academic areas.

ISEB Common Pretest

The ISEB Common Pretest is an adaptive online assessment that measures a candidate's attainment, ability, and potential across four core subjects. It is designed to be challenging and covers a broad range of skills relevant to the independent school curriculum.

Best Resources for Downe House 11+ Preparation

Stage Two Resources

For the ISEB Common Pretest, comprehensive practice across all four subjects is vital. Familiarisation with the online format and question types will build confidence and improve performance.

For a comprehensive range of practice materials, explore our11 plus exam papers.

Preparing for Downe House, a highly competitive independent school in West Berkshire, demands thorough preparation. Our 11 plus mock test West Berkshire options are designed to give your child a significant advantage.

Mock exams are crucial for familiarising pupils with the specific exam format and managing time pressure effectively. They help identify strengths and weaknesses, allowing for targeted revision.

For Downe House, which primarily uses the ISEB Common Pretest, specific and relevant practice is key to building confidence and achieving success. Consider a free 11 plus diagnostic assessment to pinpoint your child's learning gaps.

• Autumn Half Term 1: 02nd September 2025 - 17th October 2025
• Autumn Half Term 2: 02nd November 2025 - 11th December 2025
• Spring Half Term 1: 06th January 2026 - 13th February 2026
• Spring Half Term 2: 22nd February 2026 - 24th March 2026
• Summer Half Term 1: 14th April 2026 - 22nd May 2026
• Summer Half Term 2: 31st May 2026 - 05th July 2026

Navigating independent school admissions requires careful attention to direct applications, specific registration deadlines, and bespoke entrance assessments.

To support your child's journey to Downe House, we recommend reviewing these essential official inspection reports, admissions policies, and testing guidelines.

• ISEB Common Pre-Tests Familiarisation Materials
• UK Govt. - Get Information on Downe House Page
• Downe House ISI Report
• Downe House Admissions Policy
• UK Govt. - Schools, pupils and their characteristics data
• Downe House - Charity Commission

Downe House, a leading independent girls' school, has competitive fees reflecting its exceptional educational offering. For the academic year 2026-2027, full boarding fees is £20,304 per term, while day pupil fees are £15,108 per term.

The school offers a comprehensive Scholarship Programme for academic, art, sport, music, and drama talents. Additionally, Bursaries are available, providing financial assistance up to 100% of fees, plus allowances for extras, based on means-testing and academic potential.

This support ensures access for a wider range of pupils, despite Downe House being among the most expensive Private Schools UK.