SchoolScoresDownton CofE VA Primary School
Voluntary aided school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Gravel Close, Downton, Salisbury, SP5 3LZ
01725 510556 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 8 January 2020.
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 |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 2 April 2025: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
64 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Salisbury (Wiltshire) comparisons use the 30 of its 47 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 17 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Salisbury (Wiltshire) | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 21st highest of 30 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 27% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 91% | 93% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 9th highest of 30 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 68% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98% | 93% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 15th highest of 30 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 52% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 88% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 23 parents whose child had been bullied 15th highest of 22 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 42% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 52% | 55% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 47 parents who had raised a concern 20th highest of 30 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 36% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 81% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 15 parents of children with SEND 5th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 25% of 2,087 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 60% | 60% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 16th highest of 30 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 48% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 91%said yes | 89% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 23%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Salisbury (Wiltshire) figures pool parents at the Salisbury (Wiltshire) schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
45 pupils in this year group.
69% — 10 points above the Wiltshire average, and 7 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wiltshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 69% | 59% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 7% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 84% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 76% | 71% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 82% | 72% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 109 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. 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 Wiltshire. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 30 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 32 |
| Of those, offered a place | 30 (94%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 39 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 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.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Wiltshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 35th highest of 47 state primary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 21% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.3% | 17.3%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 24th highest of 47 state primary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 54% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.2% | 4.7%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 39th highest of 47 state primary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 26% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.0% | 15.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 42nd highest of 47 state primary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 12% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.4% | 8.7%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 18th lowest of 47 state primary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Lower than 69% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.4% | 4.7%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 15th lowest of 47 state primary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Lower than 78% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.2% | 10.0%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 18th lowest of 47 state primary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Lower than 65% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.4 | 3.4 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 18th lowest of 47 state primary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Lower than 63% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.4% | 1.5% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 20th highest of 47 state primary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 30% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 18.9 | 19.4 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 15th highest of 47 state primary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 74% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 12.2 | 10.9 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 26th highest of 40 state primary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 50% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 12.4% | 15.8%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary 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 primary schools
- Morgan's Vale and Woodfalls CofE Primary School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 2 needs attention · 33% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hale Primary School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 69% met expected standard (KS2)
- Breamore CofE Primary School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 83% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Downton CofE VA Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Downton CofE VA Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 8 January 2020. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 2 April 2025, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did Downton CofE VA Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 69% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 7 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Downton CofE VA Primary School?
91% of the 64 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Downton CofE VA Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Downton CofE VA Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 32 families put Downton CofE VA Primary School as their first choice for 30 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 30 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 126475.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.