SchoolScoresThe Downs School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of SUMMIT EDUCATION TRUST
Manor Crescent, Compton, Newbury, RG20 6AD
01635 270000 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 1 October 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
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 | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
309 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Newbury comparisons use the 3 of its 5 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 2 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 | Newbury | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newbury. Higher than 82% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 91% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newbury. Higher than 83% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 93% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newbury. Higher than 86% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 91% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 103 parents whose child had been bullied 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newbury. Higher than 74% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 58% | 60% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 222 parents who had raised a concern Joint 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newbury. Higher than 86% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84% | 79% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 69 parents of children with SEND 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Berkshire. Higher than 62% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 68% | – | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newbury. Higher than 88% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93%said yes | 91% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 22%). 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. Newbury figures pool parents at the Newbury 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
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
206 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 110102), before it changed to its current form.
54% — 6 points above the West Berkshire average, and 9 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Berkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 54% | 48% | 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. | 53.4 | 48 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 5.0 | 4.3 | 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.
203 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 110102), before it changed to its current form.
97% — 2 points above the West Berkshire average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Berkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 97% | 95% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 75% | 54% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 2% | 6% | 13% |
| Further education college | 15% | 25% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | Not published | 3% | 3% |
"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 97% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
186 A level students in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 110102), before it changed to its current form.
| Measure | This school | West Berkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 38% | 27% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 64% | 52% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 39.1 | 35.0 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
26 subjects, 507 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 60 | 27% | 62% | 40% |
| Sociology | 49 | 10% | 24% | 20% |
| Psychology | 36 | 14% | 33% | 19% |
| Economics | 32 | 9% | 41% | 26% |
| History | 30 | 7% | 17% | 23% |
| Biology | 27 | 22% | 44% | 27% |
| Law | 26 | 4% | 27% | 17% |
| Geography | 24 | 4% | 25% | 23% |
| Physics | 22 | 14% | 45% | 31% |
| Chemistry | 21 | 14% | 62% | 30% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 20 | 5% | 30% | 24% |
| Government and Politics | 19 | 0% | 16% | 26% |
| Film Studies | 17 | 6% | 24% | 17% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 17 | 24% | 71% | 59% |
| Business Studies:Single | 15 | 0% | 20% | 16% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 15 | 0% | 20% | 15% |
| English Language and Literature | 14 | 21% | 43% | 16% |
| English Literature | 14 | 29% | 50% | 23% |
| Mathematics (Statistics) | 13 | 8% | 38% | 16% |
| Logic / Philosophy | 12 | 0% | 17% | 19% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 8 | 50% | 88% | 38% |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 6 | 0% | 17% | 19% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: French, Music, Italian, Spanish.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
158 students in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 110102), before it changed to its current form.
90% — 3 points above the West Berkshire average, and 11 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Berkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 90% | 87% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 7% | 7% |
| Work | 36% | 34% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 90% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
148 students in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 110102), before it changed to its current form.
74% — 14 points above the West Berkshire average, and 14 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Berkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 74% | 60% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 38% | 21% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 74% | 74% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 Berkshire. 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 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 204 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 249 |
| Of those, offered a place | 196 (79%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 523 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.3 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.2
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 Berkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury. Higher than 8% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.8% | 18.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury. Higher than 30% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.2% | 3.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury. Higher than 21% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.7% | 16.4%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury. Higher than 5% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.9% | 10.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury. Lower than 73% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.0% | 8.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury. Lower than 85% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 15.4% | 21.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury. Lower than 87% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.9 | 21.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury. Lower than 93% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 1.5% | 6.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.32% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury. Higher than 47% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.7 | 16.3 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury. Higher than 58% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury. Higher than 24% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 9.3% | 10.6%* | 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.
Questions parents ask
What is The Downs School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 1 October 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did The Downs School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 54% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 9 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend The Downs School?
93% of the 309 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend The Downs School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Downs School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 249 families put The Downs School as their first choice for 204 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 196 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 151957.
- 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, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.