To mark the 100th anniversary of the School’s arrival at our Berkshire campus, we asked our girls to propose a project that would benefit the largest number in the Downe House community. They chose the refurbishment of our gym facilities.
The gym refurbishment is part of our broader Estate Development Plan for improving our sports facilities. At a time when the health and well-being of young people have never been more important, we want to provide high-quality sports facilities which will inspire and motivate pupils.
This new facility, costing £200,000, was made possible by the extraordinary generosity of alumnae and parents, past and present, to whom we are extremely grateful. The significantly enhanced workout space, complete with new equipment, will benefit the health and well-being of our entire community.
The new gym provides:
- New equipment to build strength and improve performance, including treadmills, rowers, a Stairmaster, cross trainers, and strength equipment such as cable machines, squat racks, and weights
- A larger space to accommodate more group classes
- Improved building quality and lighting for a better gym experience
Health, fitness, and participation in sports are core to the Downe House experience, and we delighted that our facilities now include this outstanding sporting environment where all our girls can flourish.
It’s brilliant to have such a wonderful fitness facility at Downe House. Having already taught several sessions in the fitness room, the new equipment and added space have created a great atmosphere, with the girls more motivated to train.
This is such an important step for our pupils as we aim to foster positive relationships with sport and exercise, while also preparing them for life after school by introducing them to equipment they may have previously viewed as dangerous or intimidating.
We are also challenging the preconceived notion that using free weights causes girls to look “bulky” or “like a man” by educating both them and our parents on effective training techniques and programming. Our dedicated PE department and Strength & Conditioning team are offering ongoing support in this area, and we are incredibly proud of how much the pupils’ confidence has already grown.
Miss Madeline Gibbons (Head of Netball, Strength and Conditioning) Discover more about Sport at Downe House.
