SchoolScoresThe Trafalgar School at Downton
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of MAGNA LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Breamore Road, Downton, Salisbury, SP5 3HN
01725 550300 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 3 July 2023.
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
149 pupils in this year group.
46% — about the same as the Wiltshire average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wiltshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 46% | 45% | 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. | 44.3 | 46.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.8 | 4.0 | 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.
168 pupils in this year group.
92% — 2 points below the Wiltshire average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wiltshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 92% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 26% | 43% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 6% | 6% | 13% |
| Further education college | 52% | 38% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 92% |
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 Wiltshire. 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 | 144 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 130 |
| Of those, offered a place | 130 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 369 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.2 · 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 | Wiltshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 5th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 17% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.2% | 18.7%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 95% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.8% | 4.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 36% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.0% | 12.7%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 8th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 12% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.1% | 7.5%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Lower than 46% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.6% | 8.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Lower than 55% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 22.5% | 21.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 5th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Lower than 52% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.7 | 21.0 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Lower than 58% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.8% | 6.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 5th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 41% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 5th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 64% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.4 | 12.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 8th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire). Higher than 6% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 5.5% | 12.9%* | 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 Trafalgar School at Downton's Ofsted rating?
The Trafalgar School at Downton was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 3 July 2023.
How did The Trafalgar School at Downton do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 46% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, about the same as the England average of 45%.
Is The Trafalgar School at Downton oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 130 families put The Trafalgar School at Downton as their first choice for 144 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 130 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 144389.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.