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The Downs School

State school · Newbury, RG20 6AD
  • Secondary
  • Co-ed
  • Ages 11-18
  • 1,437 pupils

Overview & data

Pupil numbers
1,437 ·
Religion
None
Local authority
West Berkshire Council
Area guides

Headteacher

Head

Mr Chris Prosser

Entrance

Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)

Other 15 %
Where the number of students is less than 10, we cannot say where they've come from or where they are going to due to data protection rules.
Chieveley Primary School 12 %
Compton C.E. Primary School 12 %
Hermitage Primary School 9 %
Basildon C.E. Primary School 7 %
Streatley C.E. Voluntary Controlled School 5 %
Hampstead Norreys C.E. Primary School 5 %
The Ilsleys Primary School 5 %
Unknown 5 %
Where the school a student attended before or after this school is not known. These might be students who have come from or going to home schooling, independent schools, moving abroad etc.
Brightwalton C.E. Aided Primary School 4 %
Blewbury Church of England Primary School 4 %
Curridge Primary School 4 %
Cold Ash St Mark's CE Primary School 3 %
Beedon C.E. (Controlled) Primary School 3 %
Yattendon C.E. Primary School 3 %
Chilton County Primary School 2 %
Data highlight

Exit

% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)

School
74%
LA avg.
64%
Eng. avg.
66%
Data highlight

What is this?

The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.

Latest results

GCSE - % of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)

School
57.3%
LA avg.
48.9%
Eng. avg.
45.9%
Data highlight

What is this?

This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.

A levels or equivalent - Average points score (2024)

School
38.28
LA avg.
35.09
Eng. avg.
34.45
Data highlight

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.

Teaching & learning

Qualifications taken in 2024
  • A level
  • BTEC
  • EPQ
  • GCSE
80
Number of teachers
18:1
Pupil to teacher ratio

Learning support & SEN

1.9 %
Students with a SEN EHCP
9.9 %
Students with SEN support

Pupils

1,437
Number of pupils

Inspection reports

Ofsted reports

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools.

Full inspection:

You can read full reports on the Ofsted website

Personal development Outstanding
Quality of education Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding
Leadership and management Good
Sixth form provision Outstanding

Full inspection: Outstanding

Leadership and management Outstanding

What the school says

The Downs School is an outstanding community school in rural sest Berkshire, known for exceptional teaching, academic excellence and a strong focus on student wellbeing. Beyond academics, students benefit from diverse enrichment activities including super-curricular learning, sports, arts and a sixth form personal development programme. Wellbeing is central to school life, with strong pastoral care and mental health support. A thriving environment ensures students excel academically while developing confidence, resilience and skills for the world of tomorrow.

Contact the school

Address

Manor Crescent
Compton
Newbury
Berkshire
RG20 6AD
Get directions

Telephone: 01635 270000

Email: contact@thedownsschool.org

Website: http://www.thedownsschool.org

Local authority: West Berkshire Council

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School data & information The Downs School Manor Crescent, Compton, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 6AD
1,437 Pupil numbers
10.6 % % of pupils eligible for free school meals
1 % Pupils whose first language is not English
18:1 Pupil to teacher ratio
80 Number of teachers
18 Number of teaching assistants

% achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)

School
57.3%
LA avg.
48.9%
Eng. avg.
45.9%

What is this?

This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.

Average overall GCSE score (attainment 8) (2024)

School
52.60
LA avg.
48.00
Eng. avg.
45.90

What is this?

Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications, which include English, maths, 3 English Baccalaureate qualifications including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages, and 3 other additional approved qualifications.

Improvement rates in core subjects (progress 8) (2024)

0.32 Score Above average
≈ 16% of schools in England

What is a progress score?

This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4, compared to pupils across England who got similar results at the end of key stage 2. This is based on results in up to 8 qualifications, which include English, maths, 3 English Baccalaureate qualifications including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages, and 3 other additional approved qualifications.

Subjects entered at GCSE level (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Statistics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 16 7
Spanish GCSE (9-1) Full Course 40 4
Religious Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 19 6
Psychology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 40 5
Physics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 60 7
Physical Education/Sports Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 9 6
Music GCSE (9-1) Full Course 10 6
Mathematics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 206 6
History GCSE (9-1) Full Course 144 5
German GCSE (9-1) Full Course 31 5
Geography GCSE (9-1) Full Course 81 5
French GCSE (9-1) Full Course 79 5
Film Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 12 6
English Literature GCSE (9-1) Full Course 206 6
English Language GCSE (9-1) Full Course 206 6
Economics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 20 6
Drama & Theatre Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 15 6
Design & Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 31 5
D&T Food Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 17 5
Computer Studies/Computing GCSE (9-1) Full Course 40 4
Chemistry GCSE (9-1) Full Course 60 7
Business Studies:Single GCSE (9-1) Full Course 56 4
Biology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 60 7
Art & Design (Fine Art) GCSE (9-1) Full Course 52 7

% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)

School
24.3%
LA avg.
16.3%
Eng. avg.
17.1%

What is this?

Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.

Average points score (2024)

School
38.28
LA avg.
35.09
Eng. avg.
34.45

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.

Subjects entered at 16 to 18 (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Spanish GCE A level 6 B
Sociology GCE A level 57 B
Psychology GCE A level 29 B
Physics GCE A level 25 B
Mathematics (Further) GCE A level 18 A
Mathematics GCE A level 40 A
Logic / Philosophy GCE A level 17 A
Law GCE A level 7 A
History GCE A level 31 C
Government and Politics GCE A level 12 A
Geography GCE A level 18 B
Film Studies GCE A level 9 B
English Literature GCE A level 11 A*
English Language GCE A level 8 B
Economics GCE A level 28 B
Drama and Theatre Studies GCE A level 7 B
Design and Technology (Product Design) GCE A level 7 B
Chemistry GCE A level 18 A
Business Studies:Single GCE A level 25 B
Biology GCE A level 21 A
Art and Design (Fine Art) GCE A level 8 A

Entry and exit data

Here we report figures on pupils moving between schools at the usual entry and exit points, as well as student destinations into higher education. We publish publically available data for state schools. For independent schools, The Good Schools Guide collects data from its prep schools as to where their pupils go on to. Find out more

Our review contains additional entry and exit data reported to us and is updated annually. See the review

Year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)

Year 12 entry (average 2020-2022)

Year 11 exit (average 2020-2022)

Year 13 exit

SEN overview

The Downs School is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.

1.9 %
Students with a SEN EHCP UK mainstream school avg. 2.7%
9.9 %
Students with SEN support UK mainstream school avg. 12.9%

SEN conditons supported

No information available from the school. Find out more.

Ofsted reports

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools.

Full inspection:

You can read full reports on the Ofsted website

Personal development Outstanding
Quality of education Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding
Leadership and management Good
Sixth form provision Outstanding

Full inspection: Outstanding

Leadership and management Outstanding
Our data explained
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