Classpot

Downlands Community School

Mid Sussex, BN6 8LPSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Oct 2022
Progress 8
+0.53
Well above average
−20+2
Competition
1.2×
Oversubscribed
274 1st-choice / 234 places
Ranking
🏆Top 25%
#469 of 3,141 nationally

About Downlands Community School

Downlands Community School holds a Good rating from its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022, a step down from the Outstanding it achieved in 2016. But the real story is in the exam data. The school’s Progress 8 score of 0.53 is well above average nationally, meaning pupils here make significantly more academic progress than the typical student in England. To put that in context, the average Progress 8 score for all secondary schools in West Sussex is just 0.03, so Downlands is performing far ahead of its local peers. It ranks first among the six secondary schools in Mid Sussex and sits in the top 17% of schools across the South East region. The Attainment 8 score of 54.9 and the basics measure — 76.5% of pupils achieving a grade 5 or above in English and maths — both reinforce the picture of a school where academic outcomes are strong and consistent.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressDale Avenue, Hassocks, Mid Sussex, BN6 8LP
HeadteacherMatt Ashdown
Local AuthorityWest Sussex
Number of Pupils1,250
Free School Meals (FSM)7.9%
School Capacity1,250 / 1,200 (104% full)

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

4 Oct 2022
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good

Source: Ofsted, 23 Nov 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

8
Swimming PoolSports HallScience LabsLibraryTheatreAstro TurfMusic RoomsChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

16

Sports

RowingRugbyCricketTennisNetballAthletics

Clubs & Activities

Duke of EdinburghNewspaperDramaGardeningEco ClubYoung EnterpriseBook ClubModel United NationsScience ClubArt Club

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Downlands Community School

Downlands Community School has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.