The Downe House Podcast

In this episode of the Downe House Podcast, host Simon Jones is joined by Dani Kirby (Murray Centre Manager), Bryony Watts (Head of English), and two Year 13 literary seniors, Audrey and Alex, to celebrate the National Year of Reading. The conversation explores how Downe House inspires its students to read and love reading, from library initiatives and cross-department collaboration to the evolving reading habits of teenagers in a digital age.

• Audrey's favourite: The Nose by Nikolai Gogol — a surreal short story
• Alex's favourite: Funny Story by Emily Henry — a contemporary rom-com popular on BookTok
• Alex's book swap read: The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
• Audrey's book swap read: Book Lovers by Emily Henry
• Dani's recommendation for adults getting back into reading: Never Lie by Freida McFadden — a psychological thriller (16+)

Welcome to the Downe House podcast, where you can learn more about life at Downe House School. In this episode, we’re discussing the Exploring Europe Programme which is now entering its second year in the curriculum. Last term, the Removes, or year 7, were lucky to culminate their year learning about Europe with a trip to Berlin. Joining Simon Jones on the podcast are Kate Eaves, Head of Lower School, Elke Von Mering-Ashton, Head of German and two pupils Izzy and Matilda.

https://www.downehouse.net

The beginning of this academic year marks the start of a unique and groundbreaking partnership with Harrow School. Two schools with proud histories, distinctive identities and a shared commitment to single sex education. In this episode Simon Jones speaks to Alistair Land, Head Master of Harrow School and Emma McKendrick, Headmistress of Downe House School.

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 who heads up the conference, Amanda Constance, Editor of The Week, Independent Schools Guide and Walter Kerr, Co-Founder of Oppidan Education, an innovative mentoring organisation for students.

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 find out more.

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 Madeleine Killacky, Head of Scholars at Downe House, Ms Madeleine Copin, who headed the Colloquium for Harrow, Nina from Downe House and William from Harrow, both in the lower sixth.

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 Lower Sixth and younger pupils, Taarini and Jodee who joined last year.

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 Simon on the podcast are Hettie, Matt Godfrey, Deputy Head and two of the runners, Violet Rose and Olivia.

Key topics:

• Hettie, Head Girl, shares how she organised the school’s participation and fundraising efforts
• Insights into the training process from Olivia and Violet Rose, including the Couch to 5K programme
• The emotional and practical experiences from race day, capturing the energy and community support
• The strategic charity choice — supporting women through Tommy’s during challenging pregnancies and births
• The impact of such events on school community, leadership skills, and student confidence
• Staff reflections on the significance of fundraising and community engagement for student development
• How student-led initiatives like this leave lasting legacies and life skills beyond school

Links:

https://www.tommys.org

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, Katie Lauder, Steph Essex from Flyhawk, a sportswear company working closely with Downe, and two pupils Ivie and Lucie in the Lower Sixth.

Links:

https://www.downehouse.net

https://flyhawk.com

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 and Imogen, both in the Upper Sixth.