The Elective Programme 2026-2027

Challenging the Intellectually Curious

2026-2027

Foreword Whilst as a school we are rightly very proud of the enviable public examination results that our students receive, we also recognise that knowledge does not begin and end here. Coined by the University of Cambridge, the term ‘super-curriculum’ describes academic and scholarly opportunities that lie beyond the curriculum and are not directly related to examination preparation. This might include, for example, essay competitions, study trips, debate, lectures, poetry reading groups or science societies. The benefits to building a vigorous super-curriculum are multiple, not least expanding and enriching the core curriculum by allowing students to pursue new and exciting avenues of study that they otherwise might not have encountered. This is something about which we care greatly.

In order to continue developing our already extensive super-curriculum, we are proud to introduce to you the Elective Programme. This is a collection of six-week modules, or Electives, which are offered by certain members of staff according to their specialist academic interests.

Occupying a double lesson per week, crucially these Electives will take the participant well beyond the curriculum and introduce them to new and exciting ideas. With multiple Electives running at any one time, the girls themselves will select the Elective on which they would like to enrol. Spanning three year groups, Electives will run twice in Michaelmas term and once in Lent for LV and then again in the first half of Michaelmas for UV. For the LVI, Electives will run twice in Summer term.

As well as cultivating a love of learning for its own sake and intellectually challenging the most able, each Elective has been carefully crafted in order to develop and finesse certain highly desirable learning behaviours and skills.

These might include lateral thinking, scholarly independence and intellectual flexibility, alongside the ability to forge interdisciplinary connections, discuss complex ideas in an articulate manner and think critically. These are all skills that will last a lifetime and are highly valued by any university, including those that are the most competitive. Indeed, if it is true, as educational researcher Daniel Willingham has claimed, that one cannot teach these skills in a decontextualised vacuum then the Elective Programme becomes a way to instil these traits by anchoring them to specific and defined areas of study or knowledge domains.

It is our overriding aim that the girls who enrol will leave the programme a richer person, that they will discover a new appreciation of the pleasure that learning for its own sake can bring, and that they will acquire the specific skills to continue this well beyond Downe House.

Mr Tim Breeze Head of the Elective Programme

the three

pathways

In order to help with the selection of Electives, we have created three disciplinary pathways, each named after a Downe House alumna who has been recognised for scholarly excellence.

These are all people to whom our girls can aspire and, in their own turn, perhaps they too will inspire academic excellence in the next generation of Downe House students.

Students can select any Elective from any of the three pathways, although they might also think about the benefits of deepening their knowledge and honing disciplinaryspecific skills by specialising in one particular pathway.

Whilst this structure has its logistical benefits, we also believe that our chosen figureheads, and the many others we could have selected, capture the ethos of the Elective Programme.

They each represent outstanding scholarly excellence in their respective disciplines and each, in their own way, must have had a keen awareness of the limitless joy intellectual enrichment and discovery can bring.

Choose

your own path

Aston

Muir

Richards

LOWER FIFTH ELECTIVES MICHAELMAS I (FRIDAY)

MICHAELMAS II

Miss Madeleine Killacky

Mr Rick Hollingworth

Mr Tim Breeze

Mrs Hannah Tostdevine

Mr Hugh Grant

Mrs Jennifer Grant

Mrs Hannah Tostdevine

Mrs Katharine Henson

Mr Alasdair Matthews

(FRIDAY)

LENT (FRIDAY)

UPPER FIFTH ELECTIVES MICHAELMAS I

Mrs Hannah Tostdevine

Mrs Katharine Henson

Mr Alasdair Matthews

LOWER SIXTH ELECTIVES SUMMER (MONDAY)

SUMMER (FRIDAY)

Miss Madeleine Killacky

Miss Georgie Taylor

Dr Andy Atherton

Mr Alastair Reynolds

Mr Graham Bradshaw

Elective Plus Keystone Elective

Girls are not confined to one pathway and can select Electives from any pathway

Aston

THE ASTON PATHWAY

Named after Historian, Margaret Aston (DH 1944–1950), the Aston pathway collates Electives related to the Humanities.

Margaret Aston spent a lifetime researching Medieval History and published many books and articles on the subject, eventually being awarded a CBE for her services to Historical Scholarship, as well as being made a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Fellow of the British Academy.

Muir

THE MUIR PATHWAY

Named after Biochemist, Helen Muir (DH 1934–1938), the Muir pathway collates Electives related to STEM. Helen Muir is best known for her pioneering work into osteoarthritis and was the first woman to serve on the Medical Research Council. She spent much of her career working at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, where she served as its Director from 1977 to 1999.

Richards

THE RICHARDS PATHWAY

Named after Anthropologist, Audrey Richards (DH 1913–1917), the Richards pathway collates Electives related to the Social Sciences.

Audrey Richards studied Natural Sciences at Newnham College, Cambridge, before working at both Cambridge and LSE, publishing a multitude of peer-reviewed papers. Specialising in Sub-Saharan Africa, she would become the director of the African Studies Centre at the University of Cambridge and also the first woman President of the Royal Anthropological Institute.

learning

journeys

An underlying ethos of the Elective Programme is the importance it places on each girl being able to pursue an entirely bespoke programme of study, where they are given the opportunity to select the topics and areas that most interest them.

This might involve, for instance, following a single disciplinary pathway, which would enable the student to hone and refine subject-specific skills. However, an alternative strategy, equally valuable, would be to pursue Electives from multiple pathways, allowing the student to expose herself to multiple avenues of thought and helping to forge interdisciplinary connections. The former follows a vertical line of enquiry, with the aim being to drill deeply into specific areas of disciplinary knowledge whilst the latter is horizontal in nature, facilitating an exploration of multiple, and perhaps very different, subjects. Both strategies are entirely worthwhile and valuable.

On the next page you will find the specific pathways taken by a member of the UV and UVI during previous cycles of the Elective Programme, Rosi and Ivie.*

NOOR (MULTIPLE PATHWAYS)

MIA (MULTIPLE PATHWAYS)

The Power of China

Richards

Virtual Curatorship

Aston

History of the Book

Aston

Modern Masterpieces

Richards

The Mathematics of games, luck and strategy

Aston

Having a wide range of interests, Noor started her Elective journey in LV by exploring the Power of China on the Aston pathway. This course complemented her study of Chinese and allowed her to explore topics beyond the GCSE curriculum. Noor also participated in the History of the Book and the Mathematics Elective. Together, these Electives reflect Noor’s intellectual curiosity and willingness to engage with a diverse range of subjects, demonstrating both her enthusiasm for learning and her commitment to broadening her academic horizons.

Now in Lower Sixth, Mia has embraced the wide-ranging opportunities offered by the Electives programme over the past few years, exploring subjects that reflect both her curiosity and creativity. From Miss the Virtual Curatorship Elective, where she considered how museums and galleries engage audiences in the digital age and curated exhibitions in virtual spaces, to the more recent Modern Masterpieces Elective, which encouraged close analysis of influential works of modern art and their cultural significance, Mia has consistently sought opportunities to take her learning beyond the classroom.

“

The range of electives offered is amazing. From rocket science to cryptography, there’s something for everyone. It’s fascinating to dive into such diverse subjects and learn something new.

Mia

*The listed Electives were taken in previous cycles and may not be available in this cycle.

LOWER FIFTH ELECTIVES

MICHAELMAS I (FRIDAY) lower fifth electives

The History of the Book

What would the anatomy of a book look like?

There is, of course, the main text, which the author proudly submits to their publisher. But around this, hemming it in on the page, there are dozens of other texts — page numbers and running heads, copyright statements, marginal notes, pop-up figures, and even doodles — each with their own lively histories. To consider these paratexts — those threshold spaces associated with, but distinct from, the main body of a text — is to be reminded that no book is the sole work of the author whose name appears on the cover; rather, every book is the sum of a series of collaborations.

It is Rocket Science

In this elective we will learn about the history of rocketry, from 10th Century China to the modern era. We will study the Physics and Chemistry of rocket science and will discuss the merits and feasibility of propulsion systems mooted in science fiction. We will go on to carry out practical investigations to determine the most effective propulsion systems, how aerodynamics can be used to control direction of travel, and will culminate in the design, construction and testing of your own rockets.

Course convener: Mr Hollingworth

In this elective we will pull the book apart to examine how the anatomy of the book affects our reading experience. We will look at the ways texts are composed, circulated, and consumed: this means thinking about the connections between literature and its historical, sociological, and cultural environments. By considering the book broadly — from inscriptions, manuscripts and early modern printing to digital media — we will take a deep dive into all aspects of book history as we look at the book both as an object as well as an important field of study. *This course will run in Michaelmas II and Lent Terms Course convener: Miss Killacky

Aston

Muir

The Power of China

With many experts predicting the 21st century to be the ‘Chinese Century’, acquiring a knowledge of China has never been more important. This Elective will give you just that - an insight into what makes China such a fascinating, unique and mysterious country. We start by exploring some of the milestone events which occurred in China in the 21st century, such as invasions by foreign powers, the shocking policies of Chairman Mao and the way in which China’s rapid economic transformation began. We will then cover a wide variety of contemporary topics exploring Chinese culture, ranging from politics and economics to environment and social issues, including a discussion of Chinese/USA relations and how China is poised to become the global superpower of the 21st century.

Course convener: Mr Breeze

“

The ability to explore interesting topics in creative ways and share that excitement with my students makes teaching the electives an absolute pleasure.

Mr Hollingworth

Richards

LOWER FIFTH ELECTIVES

MICHAELMAS II (FRIDAY) lower fifth electives

Virtual Curatorship

Art galleries are full of beautiful things, and some not so beautiful but full of meaning.

These meanings stand alone but can also be woven together into collections of stories that form narratives telling us about the way we think and live our lives or about the past. It is the job of the curator to tell these stories and, in this Elective, we will curate our own virtual exhibitions. Using a combination of visual analysis, historical context, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and maybe even some geography for good measure, we will consider themes ranging from gender representation and love to humanity’s relationship with nature and religion. We will carefully research and select works of art to tell our stories before using SharePoint Spaces to ‘hang’ our exhibition, complete with audio guide. Finally, we will hone our AI prompting skills to produce a final piece of original digital artwork to highlight the importance of our chosen theme in the world today.

Socialism & Communism: What price equality?

Throughout History, protest movements from the Peasants’ Revolt to the Levellers of the English Civil War have pushed for a future without distinctions of class and wealth. Not until the 1848 European revolutions, however, did communism come screeching onto the European stage, the spectre which haunted Europe, in Karl Marx’s words. It has proved an ideology which has both lifted millions out of poverty and subjected other groups to persecution, deportation and death.

In this Politics-focused elective, we will be examining the work of Karl Marx and other key philosophers as we move towards answering some key questions: •

Is Capitalism inherently evil?

•

Is inequality inevitable?

•

How can we best move towards a more equal world – and should we try?

Course convener: Mrs Grant

*This course will run in Michaelmas II and Lent Terms Course convener: Mrs Tostdevine

Aston

Richards

Life at the Limits: how animals push physics, biochemistry and imagination

The course will look at the limits placed on evolution by the laws of Physics. We will be exploring common features that have evolved independently and how biomechanics makes their development almost inevitable. We will consider the largest organisms of prehistory and the Environmental Chemistry that contributed to their evolution. We will answer questions like: Why do mosquitos have a particular familiar sound? How are Tardigrades out of this world? and how come wasps can be kind to each other whilst ruining my picnic? We will end with consideration of the fantastical, from dragons to Godzilla and Mothra.

Course convener: Mr Grant

“

One of the most gratifying aspects of teaching electives is witnessing the enthusiasm and energy students bring to the classroom. Their genuine interest and excitement makes every lesson a joy to teach.

Mrs Tostdevine

Muir

LOWER FIFTH ELECTIVES

LENT (FRIDAY) lower fifth electives Learning How to Knit Code: a creative approach Time’s Arrow to programming

Why is knitting a sweater like reading a computer programme? We will explore the mathematics and computer coding concepts that are inherent in textiles manufacture and find out why even postgraduate level mathematicians have resorted to crochet to demonstrate complex structures. There will be a practical element to this Elective.

The sessions for this Elective will include: Symmetry and frieze patterns, Monsieur Jacquard’s amazing invention, Reading and writing code - iterative loops, Reading and writing code - defining functions, Messages in Morse Code, Hyperbolic surfaces.

Course convener: Mrs Henson

For the last several thousand years, humans have seen and lived through scores of different civilisations. Some have been violent, some peaceful, some authoritarian, some liberal; and many have been different things at different times. But what they all have in common is that, while some a very brief and others last a very long time, none of them lasts for ever. This elective explores why the advances of civilisation do not in fact just keep developing in a constant forward direction.

Why do technological, artistic, philosophical and economic gains disappear and need to be rediscovered later? And why do some civilisations seem to go backwards before they eventually disappear? In a time when there seem to be several and severe challenges facing future generations, it is more important than ever to look at the collapses of past civilisations and try to identify how our own future can be made more secure.

Course convener: Mr Matthews

Muir

Richards

Virtual Curatorship

Art galleries are full of beautiful things, and some not so beautiful but full of meaning.

These meanings stand alone but can also be woven together into collections of stories that form narratives telling us about the way we think and live our lives or about the past. It is the job of the curator to tell these stories and, in this Elective, we will curate our own virtual exhibitions. Using a combination of visual analysis, historical context, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and maybe even some geography for good measure, we will consider themes ranging from gender representation and love to humanity’s relationship with nature and religion. We will carefully research and select works of art to tell our stories before using SharePoint Spaces to ‘hang’ our exhibition, complete with audio guide. Finally, we will hone our AI prompting skills to produce a final piece of original digital artwork to highlight the importance of our chosen theme in the world today. *This course will run in Michaelmas II and Lent Terms Course convener: Mrs Tostdevine

Aston

“

Teaching the Elective Programme has been incredibly rewarding. It’s allowed me to see students grow in ways that standard courses often don’t.

Mr Matthews

UPPER FIFTH ELECTIVES

MICHAELMAS I upper fifth electives Virtual Curatorship

Art galleries are full of beautiful things, and some not so beautiful but full of meaning.

These meanings stand alone but can also be woven together into collections of stories that form narratives telling us about the way we think and live our lives or about the past. It is the job of the curator to tell these stories and, in this Elective, we will curate our own virtual exhibitions. Using a combination of visual analysis, historical context, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and maybe even some geography for good measure, we will consider themes ranging from gender representation and love to humanity’s relationship with nature and religion. We will carefully research and select works of art to tell our stories before using SharePoint Spaces to ‘hang’ our exhibition, complete with audio guide. Finally, we will hone our AI prompting skills to produce a final piece of original digital artwork to highlight the importance of our chosen theme in the world today.

History of Maths: how to build a pyramid

Starting with the Ancient Egyptians, we explore a range of practical problems from different eras that lend themselves to mathematical solutions.

Whether you are building a pyramid, decorating the Sistine Chapel or navigating the globe, mathematics provides the tools you need to solve your problems.

The sessions for this Elective will include: How to build a pyramid; A lot of fuss about nothing; Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder; Around the world in 80 days; Fun with fractals; More or less?

Course convener: Mrs Henson

Course convener: Mrs Tostdevine

Aston

Muir

Metacognition, thinking and knowledge

The world bombards us with information constantly, and the rate at which it does this to us today is increasing exponentially. How do our brains make sense of this, and enable us to think and learn about the world around us, so that we can exercise control over it rather than it over us? When we talk about our mind, what do we mean? Why are knowledge and thinking different, and why can you not develop skills or creativity without knowledge?

It is almost (though not quite) a uniquely human ability to understand the world around us and be aware that we know and think about it, and this is what enables us to learn and develop to the extent we do as individuals and as societies. In the age of big data and non-stop media, and with an ever-increasing base of knowledge to build on, this course aims to help you understand how you understand, and to help you put yourself in control of your learning and progress - not just at school, but as a being in the world.

Course convener: Mr Matthews

“

It’s been a privilege to see students explore their interests, build confidence, and thrive in a different learning environment.

Mrs Henson

Richards

LOWER SIXTH ELECTIVES

SUMMER (MONDAY) lower sixth electives Short Story Masterpieces

Short stories are an often overlooked form of writing. With one or two exceptions, you’ve probably never studied any short stories. You probably don’t read them for fun. However, some of the most beautiful and powerful examples of writing can be found in short stories. In this Elective, we’ll read, enjoy and discuss a selection of short story masterpieces. Please note: reading the stories outside of the Elective sessions will be required.

Course convener: Dr Atherton

Geopolitics of Film

Global politics is shaped by so much more than the people and the democratic process. The political landscapes we see today, and have witnessed in history, have been influenced by the physical environment too. Almost every political evolution has been shaped in some way by geographical considerations. In this Elective we will explore the link between the natural world and politics, quite literally the ‘geography of politics’. We are more aware of this than we think, as we are taught about it through the media, and so these sessions will delve into the representations of geopolitics through film.

Course convener: Miss Taylor

Richards

Muir

The Life and Times of the Book

What would the anatomy of a book look like?

There is, of course, the main text, which the author proudly submits to their publisher. But around this, hemming it in on the page, there are dozens of other texts — page numbers and running heads, copyright statements, errata lists, marginal notes and even doodles — each with their own lively histories. To consider these paratexts — those threshold spaces associated with, but distinct from, the main body of a text — is to be reminded that no book is the sole work of the author whose name appears on the cover; rather, every book is the sum of a series of collaborations.

In this elective we will pull the book apart to examine how the anatomy of the book affects our reading experience. By considering the book broadly — from inscriptions, manuscripts and early modern printing to digital media — we will take a deep dive into all aspects of book history as we look at the book both as an object as well as an important field of study.

Course convener: Miss Killacky

Aston

LOWER SIXTH ELECTIVES

SUMMER (FRIDAY) lower sixth electives Dreams, Mythology and the Unconscious Mind

Do the images found in dreams and the stories told in mythology conceal eternal truths that predate our own existence? Carl Jung – arguably one of the greatest psychoanalysts of the 20th century – believed they did and dedicated much of his life’s work to explaining why he thought this. In this Elective, we will explore a few of Jung’s ideas by examining some ancient myths and dreams with a view to gaining a deeper understanding of the human psyche. Through this study and analysis, we will discover the concept of the ‘unconscious mind’ which, according to Jung, contains a repository of ‘primordial images’ (or archetypes) that if examined closely may hold answers to many of life’s unanswered questions.

Programming for Data and Beyond

Discover how coding can help you understand and shape the world. Through hands-on projects, you’ll learn Python basics including data types, loops, and functions and use them to solve meaningful problems. Gain the skills to think critically, work creatively, and make an impact in today’s data-driven society.

Course convener: Mr Bradshaw

Course convener: Mr Reynolds

Aston

Muir

ELECTI E

Plus

Introduction to Law

This course will appeal to anyone who is considering law as a degree and/or a career. It has been tailored exclusively for students at Downe by an external tutoring company, Keystone Tutors and comprises a series of four interactive, online tutorials.

The course will introduce the topics covered in a qualifying law degree. This includes the different academic fields, such as constitutional law, land law, contract law and criminal law, the methods of questioning that will be faced and the skills required; both in terms of written work and oral communication and argumentation.

In terms of legal careers, you will be introduced to the routes into careers as a solicitor, barrister, paralegal, or chartered legal executive - as well as other careers that could benefit from the transferable skills gained through the study of law.

INFORMATION: The expected cost for each student will be £125 (inclusive of VAT), which will be added to the student’s school bill.

The four sessions of the course will be run virtually on MS Teams.

In association with

How to get the most out of the programme In order to make the most of your Electives, it is important that you approach everything that you do with intellectual curiosity and determination.

Here are four practical tips that, if implemented, will ensure you make the most of this opportunity.

These are also tips that you can then take into your other lessons.

Be an active learner. This is essential. It is so important that you actively engage with the discussed material rather than being passive. Take notes during the sessions, ask for clarification, engage in debate, ask questions of other students and make connections with other topics you have studied.

Don’t put learning in boxes. Don’t think of the material covered in your Elective as separate to everything else that you learn. Rather, if relevant, bring the knowledge you have gained into your curriculum lessons and forge connections between what is studied in one area and what is studied in another.

Go beyond the Elective. Think of each session as a springboard that will allow you to explore new avenues of thought. After the session has finished and if there is an idea that you found especially interesting, do research it more. This might mean going to the library, reading an article online, or asking a teacher. You can then deepen your understanding of the discussed topics. Don’t let the classroom become the end of your learning.

Reflect on what you have learned. Once the Elective has concluded or even after each session, depending on how much time you have available, make a conscious effort to reflect on what you have discussed. This could be anything from thinking about the material in a critical way to making notes or even writing an essay. This returns us to the need to be an active learner.

Elective overview 2026-2027 LOWER FIFTH

Elective 1

Elective 2

Elective 3

Michaelmas I (Friday)

The History of the Book Convener: Miss Killacky

It is Rocket Science

The Power of China

Convener: Mr Hollingworth

Convener: Mr Breeze

Virtual Curatorship

Socialism & Communism: What Price Equality Convener: Mrs Grant

Life at the Limits

Learning how to knit code

Time’s Arrow

Virtual Curatorship

Convener: Mrs Henson

Convener: Mr Matthews

Convener: Mrs Tostdevine

UPPER FIFTH

Elective 1

Elective 2

Elective 3

Michaelmas I (Friday)

Virtual Curatorship Convener: Mrs Tostdevine

History of Maths - How to Build a Pyramid Convener: Mrs Henson

Metacognition, Thinking and Knowledge. Convener: Mr Matthews

LOWER SIXTH

Elective 1

Elective 2

Elective 3

Summer I (Monday)

The Life and Times of the Book

Geopolitics of Film

Short Story Masterpieces

Convener: Miss Killacky

Convener: Miss Taylor

Convener: Dr Atherton

Dreams, Mythology and the Unconscious Mind. Convener: Mr Reynolds

Programming for Data and Beyond Convener: Mr Bradshaw

Introduction to Law

Michaelmas II (Friday)

Convener: Mrs Tostdevine Lent (Friday)

Summer II (Friday)

“

Convener: Mr Grant

Elective Plus: Keystone Elective

Learning for the sake of learning is something that is often forgotten in the midst of GCSEs and UCAS applications. The Elective Programme reminds us that there is knowledge outside of the curriculum which is just as useful as the required work. It taught me to be more curious about the world around me.

Participant in Elective Programme

Challenging the Intellectually Curious

Downe House, Cold Ash, Thatcham, Berkshire RG18 9JJ T: 01635 200286 www.downehouse.net

The Downe House Podcast streams on all channels