The Downs School

A not judged foundation school school in West Berkshire. Explore Ofsted ratings, admissions information, and performance data for The Downs School.

Newbury, RG206AD Ofsted: Not Judged Age 11-18 Mixed intake
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Performance Score

Overall school rating

57

/ 100

Secondary with Sixth Form weighted harmonic mean of 5 indicators

Indicators used for Secondary with Sixth Form schools

Progress 8 score
61.4
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 0.32
English & Maths grade 4+ %
64.2
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 78.2%
Continue in education or training
52.0
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 58.0%
Sustained employment
61.3
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 30.0%
Ofsted inspection outcome
50.0
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: Not Judged

How we weight each phase

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Primary schools

  • KS2 pupils meeting expected standard 40.0%
  • KS2 pupils exceeding expected standard 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

Secondary schools

  • Progress 8 score 40.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

All-through schools

  • Progress 8 score 25.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 20.0%
  • KS2 pupils meeting expected standard 20.0%
  • KS2 pupils exceeding expected standard 15.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 20.0%

Secondary with Sixth Form schools

  • Progress 8 score 20.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 20.0%
  • Continue in education or training 20.0%
  • Sustained employment 20.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 20.0%

Sixth Form Only schools

  • Continue in education or training 40.0%
  • Sustained employment 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

Special schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Alternative Provision schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Independent schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Ofsted Inspection

Official inspection outcomes

Not Judged
Overall effectiveness
Not Judged
Last inspected
1 October 2024
Previous grade
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour & attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership & management
Good
Safeguarding
Effective

Source: Ofsted inspection outcomes. Grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, Inadequate.

Contact Information

How to reach this school

Source: GIAS
Address
Manor Crescent
Compton
Newbury, RG206AD
Phone
1635270000
Website
thedownsschool.org/

Location

Find the school on the map

Source: Geocoding
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School Information

Basic details and characteristics

Source: GIAS
URN
110102
Type
Foundation school
Phase
Secondary with Sixth Form
Address
Manor Crescent, Compton, Newbury, RG20 6AD
Website
http://www.thedownsschool.org/
Age range
11-18
Gender
Mixed
School status
Open
Capacity
1307 pupils
Setting
Larger rural: Further from a major town or city
Sixth Form
Yes
Nursery
No

School Performance Data

Official government statistics

Source: DfE

School Demographics

Total Pupils
1,405
Free School Meals
10.2% (143 pupils)
Special Educational Needs
1.9% (27 pupils)

Daily Attendance

Attendance Rate
93.4%
Good
Persistent Absence
16.7%
Missing 10%+ of school days

Detailed Performance Metrics

Attainment 8 Scores
Attainment 8:
52.6
Ebacc Attainment 8:
15.4
English Attainment 8:
11.3
Maths Attainment 8:
10.7
Open Subjects Attainment 8:
15.2
EBacc Subject Performance
Ebacc Attainment 8:
15.4
Ebacc English:
100.0%
Ebacc Entry:
38.3%
Ebacc Humanities:
98.5%
Ebacc Languages:
70.9%
Ebacc Maths:
100.0%
Ebacc Sciences:
100.0%
Progress Measures
Progress 8:
0.32
Progress 8 Range:
0.13 to 0.52
University Progression:
57.0%

Real Success Rates

What happens to students after they leave this school

Continue Education
58.0%
University, college, or sixth form
Enter Employment
30.0%
Full or part-time jobs
Start Apprenticeships
4.0%
Learning while earning
Not in Education or Work
4.0%
NEET - needs support

Sixth Form University Progression

Where sixth form students go after graduation

University Progression
57%
Quality: Good
Sixth Form Size
151 students
Per cohort
Apprenticeships
4.0%

Key Performance Indicators

English & Maths Grade 5+:
78.2 (+26.2 vs average)
EBacc Entry:
38.3 (+18.9 vs average)
Attainment 8:
52.6 (+13.1 vs average)
Progress 8:
0.32 (+0.5 vs average)

Calculated Fields

Derived insights and analysis

Source: Calculated

Class Size Information

Average Class Size
88 pupils
Large Classes
Pupils per Year Group
176
Average across all year groups
Total School Size
1,405 pupils
11-18

Subjects This School Excels At

Subjects where students perform significantly above national average

Mathematical Studies (Core Maths Qualifications at Level 3)
★★★★★
(7 students)
Law (GCE A level)
★★★★★
(6 students)
English Literature (GCE A level)
★★★★ ★
(11 students)
D&T Product Design (GCE A level)
★★★★ ★
(7 students)
Drama & Theatre Studies (GCE A level)
★★★★ ★
(6 students)

Strong performance in 5 subjects

From the School Website

Information extracted from the school's own website

Source: School Website

Ethos & Values

"Learning together, learning for life."

Courage Responsibility Equality Ambition Resilience Creativity Integrity

Head Teacher's Message

Welcome from Headteacher Mr C Prosser. The Downs School is described as a high performing, non-selective school in West Berkshire that emphasizes the CREARCI values (Courage, Responsibility, Equality, Ambition, Resilience, Creativity, Integrity), equality of access, a rich and diverse curriculum, and strong partnerships with staff, students and parents. Visitors are encouraged to see the school in action.

Facilities

17m indoor heated swimming pool with changing rooms and showers Astro turf football pitch / basketball or netball court with changing rooms and showers 3 x grass football pitches with changing rooms and showers Spacious school hall with stage and lighting (catering can be organised on request)

Admissions Criteria

Admissions are managed by West Berkshire Council. The Downs School PAN is 210 for Year 7. First Point Entry applies for moving from primary to secondary; In-Year Transfers are coordinated by West Berkshire's Admissions Department; Appeals are handled by West Berkshire Council's Appeals Service. The Downs School is federated with Basildon CofE Primary School, Beedon CofE Primary School and Compton CofE Primary School. The catchment area information includes Catchment Area 2, which overlaps parts of Kennet School and Trinity School catchments. Admission documents and arrangements for 2024/25, 2025/26 and 2026/27 are listed on the site.

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