Downend School

A good academy converter school in South Gloucestershire. Explore Ofsted ratings, admissions information, and performance data for Downend School.

Bristol, BS166XA Ofsted: Good Age 11-18 Mixed intake
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Performance Score

Overall school rating

55

/ 100

Secondary with Sixth Form weighted harmonic mean of 5 indicators

Indicators used for Secondary with Sixth Form schools

Progress 8 score
56.5
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 0.1
English & Maths grade 4+ %
62.8
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 75.5%
Continue in education or training
35.2
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 42.0%
Sustained employment
66.4
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 33.0%
Ofsted inspection outcome
75.0
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: Good

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

Good
Overall effectiveness
Good
Last inspected
23 September 2014
Previous grade
Requires Improvement
Quality of education
9
Behaviour & attitudes
9
Personal development
9
Leadership & management
Good
Safeguarding
9

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

Contact Information

How to reach this school

Source: GIAS
Address
Westerleigh Road
Downend
Bristol, BS166XA
Phone
1454862300
Website
downend.com/

Location

Find the school on the map

Source: Geocoding
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School Information

Basic details and characteristics

Source: GIAS
URN
139345
Type
Academy converter
Phase
Secondary with Sixth Form
Address
Westerleigh Road, Downend, Bristol, BS16 6XA
Website
http://www.downend.com/
Age range
11-18
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Does not apply
School status
Open
Trust/MAT
CASTLE SCHOOL EDUCATION TRUST
Capacity
1425 pupils
Setting
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
Sixth Form
Yes
Nursery
No

School Performance Data

Official government statistics

Source: DfE

School Demographics

Total Pupils
1,411
Free School Meals
10.5% (148 pupils)
Special Educational Needs
2.3% (32 pupils)

Daily Attendance

Attendance Rate
90.7%
Good
Persistent Absence
25.2%
Missing 10%+ of school days

Detailed Performance Metrics

Attainment 8 Scores
Attainment 8:
48.8
Ebacc Attainment 8:
14.5
English Attainment 8:
10.0
Maths Attainment 8:
9.9
Open Subjects Attainment 8:
14.4
EBacc Subject Performance
Ebacc Attainment 8:
14.5
Ebacc English:
97.8%
Ebacc Entry:
20.1%
Ebacc Humanities:
93.9%
Ebacc Languages:
24.9%
Ebacc Maths:
100.0%
Ebacc Sciences:
96.5%
Progress Measures
Progress 8:
0.10
Progress 8 Range:
-0.09 to 0.28
University Progression:
42.0%

Real Success Rates

What happens to students after they leave this school

Continue Education
42.0%
University, college, or sixth form
Enter Employment
33.0%
Full or part-time jobs
Start Apprenticeships
9.0%
Learning while earning
Not in Education or Work
16.0%
NEET - needs support

Sixth Form University Progression

Where sixth form students go after graduation

University Progression
42%
Quality: Average
Sixth Form Size
64 students
Per cohort
Apprenticeships
9.0%

Key Performance Indicators

English & Maths Grade 5+:
75.5 (+23.5 vs average)
Attainment 8:
48.8 (+9.3 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
1,411 pupils
11-18

Subjects This School Excels At

Subjects where students perform significantly above national average

Study Skills (Extended Project (Diploma))
★★★★ ★
(7 students)
Chemistry (GCE A level)
★★★★ ★
(7 students)
Physics (GCE A level)
★★★★ ★
(8 students)
Mathematics (GCE A level)
★★ ★★★
(15 students)
Biology (GCE A level)
★★ ★★★
(8 students)

Strong performance in 5 subjects

From the School Website

Information extracted from the school's own website

Source: School Website

Ethos & Values

Participation Respect Identity Determination Excellence

There is a Muslim prayer room with Wudhu facilities and Ramadan support; the school has pledged to uphold The Halo Code; celebrates diverse cultures.

Head Teacher's Message

Downend School is an exciting and vibrant learning community with high expectations, a strong pastoral care system, and a commitment to an inclusive, values-driven education delivered through a rigorous curriculum and PRIDE values.

Extracurriculars

Clubs

Duke of Edinburgh

Facilities

Prayer room with Wudhu facilities Wellbeing Centre Student Support Centre Medical/First Aid room Sixth Form Centre

Curriculum Highlights

The Downend Curriculum: Aims and Principles KS3 Curriculum KS4 Curriculum The Reading Curriculum The Downend Lesson Preparing for Examinations (KS4) Examination, NEA and Results Information

SEND Provision

SEND provision includes a SENDCo and a dedicated Student Support Centre and Wellbeing Hub.

Admissions Criteria

Bulk admissions to Year 7 are the responsibility of South Gloucestershire Council Admissions and Transport Department. A copy of the CSET admissions policy is available on the CSET Policies page. For appeals following bulk admissions, contact [email protected] for an appeal form to be issued. The deadline for submitted an appeal was Thursday 17th April 2025. For in-year admissions, contact Downend School on 01454 862300 or email [email protected].

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