SchoolScoresThe Downley School
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed
Part of OXFORD DIOCESAN BUCKS SCHOOLS TRUST
Faulkner Way, Downley, High Wycombe, HP13 5AL
01494 527033 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Inadequate at the inspection that started on 22 March 2022. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
Category of concern: Special measures.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Inadequate |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Inadequate |
| Early years | Inadequate |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
55 pupils in this year group.
71% — 6 points above the Buckinghamshire average, and 9 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Buckinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 71% | 65% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 11% | 11% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 93% | 80% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 71% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 93% | 76% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 109 | 107 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 109 | 106 | 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 Buckinghamshire. 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 | 38 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 36 |
| Of those, offered a place | 36 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 75 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9
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 | Buckinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 28th highest of 40 state primary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 21% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.3% | 17.5%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 32nd highest of 40 state primary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 24% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.8% | 3.4%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 32nd highest of 40 state primary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 27% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.1% | 14.1%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 17th highest of 40 state primary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 69% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 21.3% | 21.0%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 14th lowest of 40 state primary schools in High Wycombe. Lower than 71% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.3% | 5.1%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 17th lowest of 40 state primary schools in High Wycombe. Lower than 68% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 8.9% | 12.1%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 20th lowest of 40 state primary schools in High Wycombe. Lower than 55% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.8 | 2.7 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 16th lowest of 40 state primary schools in High Wycombe. Lower than 66% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.3% | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 40 state primary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 89% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 24.6 | 19.9 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 40 state primary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 77% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 12.4 | 9.9 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 7th highest of 39 state primary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 89% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 29.9% | 14.3%* | 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
- Millbrook Combined School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 expected, 6 needs attention · 42% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Disraeli School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 51% met expected standard (KS2)
- West Wycombe School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected, 1 needs attention · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Oakridge School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hughenden Primary School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022, before conversion) · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Castlefield School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 84% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hamilton Academy 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024 · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- Booker Hill Primary School and Nursery 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- High Wycombe CofE Combined School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2023 · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Naphill and Walters Ash School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Downley School's Ofsted rating?
The Downley School was rated Inadequate by Ofsted at its inspection in 22 March 2022.
How did The Downley School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 71% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 9 points above the England average of 62%.
Is The Downley School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 36 families put The Downley School as their first choice for 38 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 36 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 149485.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.