SchoolScoresDownlands Community School
Community school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Dale Avenue, Hassocks, BN6 8LP
01273 845892 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 4 October 2022.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
231 pupils in this year group.
66% — 20 points above the West Sussex average, and 21 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 66% | 46% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 57.3 | 46.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 5.3 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
234 pupils in this year group.
97% — 3 points above the West Sussex average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 97% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 7% | 26% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 59% | 20% | 13% |
| Further education college | 26% | 41% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 97% | 97% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in West Sussex. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 241 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 257 |
| Of those, offered a place | 229 (89%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 499 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.1
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 40th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 5% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.3% | 17.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 34th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 26% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.0% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 89% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.6% | 16.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 36th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 17% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.0% | 11.6%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 10th lowest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Lower than 63% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.6% | 8.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 10th lowest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Lower than 71% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 19.1% | 23.5%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 30th lowest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Lower than 37% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 20.3 | 16.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 19th lowest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Lower than 64% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.1% | 5.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.17% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 16th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 59% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.2 | 17.0 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 18th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 45% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6 | 11.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 27th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 18% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 8.3% | 12.0%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Hurstpierpoint College 1.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 60% A*/A at A level
- The Burgess Hill Academy 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), some aspects weaker 2024 · 48% grade 5+ English and maths
- Burgess Hill Girls 2.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 52% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Downlands Community School's Ofsted rating?
Downlands Community School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 4 October 2022.
How did Downlands Community School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 66% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 21 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Downlands Community School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 257 families put Downlands Community School as their first choice for 241 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 229 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 126087.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.