Classpot

The Downs School

West Berkshire, RG20 6ADSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
5 Good
Oct 2024
Progress 8
No data
Applications / places
1.2×
Applications exceeded published places
244 1st-choice / 201 places
Ranking
#804
of 3,141 nationally

About The Downs School

The Downs School is a state-funded secondary school in West Berkshire, South East, for pupils aged 11 to 18 for boys and girls. DfE data records 1,434 pupils on roll and a published capacity of 1,307.

The latest recorded Ofsted overall judgement is Outstanding (1 Oct 2024). the published Attainment 8 score was 53.4 for 2024/25. the published A-level average grade was B- for 2023/24. admissions data records 244 first-preference applications and 201 published places for 2025/26.

Figures can refer to different reporting periods. Check the date and source shown beside each section. How Classpot uses school data.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
AddressManor Crescent, Compton, Newbury, West Berkshire, RG20 6AD
HeadteacherMr Chris Prosser
Local AuthorityWest Berkshire
Number of Pupils1,434
Free School Meals (FSM)8.9%
School Capacity1,434 / 1,307 (110% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

What 309 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, 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

1 Oct 2024
View Report
Quality of Education
Outstanding
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Outstanding

State-funded school inspections stopped receiving a single overall grade from September 2024. Renewed inspections from November 2025 use report cards with separate five-point grades that are not directly comparable with the old scale.

Source: Ofsted, 10 Nov 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Published SEND Data

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultySevere LearningMulti-Sensory

Source: Department for Education. Confirm current provision with the school's SENCO.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:50 – 15:15

Source: thedownsschool.org. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Downs School

The Downs School has been rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted. This is the overall judgement recorded under the inspection framework in use on the inspection date. Read the report and date before comparing it with newer inspections.