Introducing
Miss Kate Eaves Assistant Head (Lower School)
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I am delighted to welcome Kate Eaves to Downe House. Her skills, warmth and the considerable experience leading Years 7 & 8, combined with her commitment to the highest quality, will ensure that our Lower School pupils continue to thrive and flourish both academically and pastorally. They will be in excellent hands. -Mrs Emma McKendrick, Headmistress
Kate started her career as a Teacher of Modern Languages, specialising in German and French, at the Leys in Cambridge where she also gained experience as an Assistant Housemistress in a girls’ boarding house. After five years, the enviable lure of setting up a German department took her to newly established Wetherby Senior School in London, where her natural flair and ability to develop and deliver exemplary pastoral care saw her transition quickly to Head of Lower School;
ensuring the very highest standards of education and care for the boys in Years 7, 8 and 9. Throughout her career in independent education, Kate has had a particular interest in pastoral care and a strong affinity with boarding; having been a day pupil who made the most of the boarding environment herself. Having enjoyed the opportunity to have significant input into the educational and pastoral life of a new and growing school, Kate wanted to get back a boarding community.
“I was a day pupil at a boarding school - I loved it! I was that child who was doing my prep at school, having supper at school, and taking part in as much of school life as I could. When I trained to be a teacher I went straight into a boarding environment – it just felt like being at home for me because of the personal experience I’d had.” -Miss Kate Eaves, Assistant Head (Lower School)
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There will be many opportunities for you to meet Kate in person over the coming months and from September when she joins our Leadership Team. We are certain that her expertise and knowledge, and her warmth and genuine care for young people will be obvious when you meet.