An Academic Programme to Inspire
The Elective Programme at Downe House runs through the Lower Fifth, Upper Fifth, and Lower Sixth years, providing students with the unique opportunity to go beyond the traditional curriculum and explore exciting new areas of study. The programme aims to foster lateral thinking, scholarly independence, intellectual adaptability, and the ability to engage confidently with complex ideas.
Designed as a series of bespoke, subject-specific modules — or Electives — the programme is structured around three distinct pathways, each named after distinguished Downe House alumnae: Biochemist Helen Muir (DH 1938), Anthropologist Audrey Richards (DH 1917), and Historian Margaret Aston (DH 1950). By drawing on the expertise and passions of our inspiring teaching staff, students can select six-week Elective modules from any of these pathways. Examples of these Electives include Rocket Science, the Complexity of Ancient Greek Physics, Cryptography, and the Beauty of Shakespeare’s Sonnets. Sessions in the Lower Sixth include the Law Elective, which will appeal to students who are considering law as a degree.
The Elective Programme is a fantastic opportunity for Downe House students to deepen their knowledge of subjects they are passionate about while exploring new areas beyond the core curriculum. By engaging in this programme, students develop the resilience to embrace intellectual challenges, the curiosity to tackle complex ideas, and the confidence to find joy in academic exploration and discovery.
Read more about the Elective Programme.
