Introducing
Mrs Katie Lauder Director of Sport
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I want every pupil at Downe to have a positive sporting experience during their time at School to set them up for a lifelong enjoyment of physical activity. I aim to give every pupil the chance to find a sport they can enjoy.
Spearheading the Sport Department from September 2022, Katie Lauder is already a familiar face and inspirational presence at Downe House. Katie joined Downe in 2015 as a Newly Qualified Teacher, and her outstanding expertise and dedication to the department and the School community, saw her quickly rise through the ranks to Assistant Director of Sport (Performance), where she oversaw the development of our Sports Scholars programme alongside teaching. Katie will now lead the department as Director of Sport whilst will also retaining her pastoral links with the pupils, providing tutor support to girls in the Upper School.
As well as enjoying sporting success, Katie’s experience as an elite sportswoman has given her a very broad outlook on sport and she has learnt much about balancing education, wellbeing, training, competing and a social life.
Katie has always had a keen interest in sport, playing many sports as a child including rugby, netball, rounders, lacrosse and squash. It was in Sixth Form that she focussed on squash and went on to acheive great successs, playing for her university, county, region and country, and being ranked No 1 in Great Britain.
As a strong advocate for women and girls, Katie believes there is still much more to do tackle inequalities in sport and the wider world. Downe House gives all pupils the platform to go out into the world and spark change; as Director of Sport, Katie is looking forward to empowering our girls to do just that.
Prior to her career at Downe House, Katie worked at Felsted School, in the PE department and Sixth Form boarding house. Within her new role as Director of Sport, Katie is excited to be working with her outstanding department colleagues, enthusiastic pupils and parents to provide a modern and fulfilling sports programme for all ages and abilities within the School.
“I really enjoy nurturing students and helping them to develop as individuals and find their own path, passions and personalities. I love it when you see things ‘click’ in a pupil’s mind and witnessing their enjoyment and the improvement they can make over time.” -Mrs Katie Lauder, Director of Sport Downe House, Cold Ash, Berkshire RG18 9JJ T: +44(0)1635 200286 | www.downehouse.net