The Downs School

URN: 110102 • Newbury RG20 6AD

Overview

Name
The Downs School
URN
110102
Type
Foundation school
Phase
Secondary
Status
Open
Gender
Mixed
Religious
None
Admissions
Non-selective
Trust
Private
No
Ofsted rating
Outstanding
Ranking score
78.9 / 100
School thumbnail

Leadership & Contact

Headteacher
Chris Prosser (since 2025) , Headteacher
Telephone
01635270000
Website
Visit
Address
Manor Crescent, Newbury RG20 6AD

Summary

The Downs School, located in Newbury, West Berkshire, is a mixed foundation secondary school with a current enrolment of 1,437 students, surpassing its capacity of 1,307. The school prides itself on fostering a strong sense of community and a supportive learning environment, guided by core values of courage, responsibility, equality, ambition, resilience, creativity, and integrity. These principles shape the educational experience, encouraging students to develop into well-rounded individuals prepared for future challenges.

The curriculum at The Downs School is designed to be rich and diverse, promoting equality of access and achievement for all students. The school has demonstrated high academic performance, being the best-performing non-selective school in West Berkshire, with notable GCSE and A-Level results. In recent assessments, 18% of GCSE entries achieved the highest grades (8 or 9), and a significant proportion of A-Level entries attained A*-C grades.

In addition to academic success, The Downs School emphasizes community engagement and personal development, encouraging students to participate in volunteering and enrichment opportunities. This holistic approach aims to cultivate confident, responsible citizens who contribute positively to society.

Key details

LA
West Berkshire
Age range
11 - 18
Boarders
No boarders
Sixth form
Has a sixth form
Trust
Capacity
1307
Pupils
1437
Boys
758
Girls
679
FSM %
10.60
Open date
Close date
Last Ofsted
2013-06-07
Next inspection
Data snapshot
2025-07-14
County
Berkshire

Trends

DatePupilsBoysGirlsCapacityFSM%
2025-07-14 1437 758 679 1307 10.60
2024-09-11 1405 721 684 1307 9.90
2023-09-11 1316 664 652 1307 7.70
2022-09-11 1316 664 652 1307 7.70
2021-09-11 1300 628 672 1307 6.00
2020-09-11 1279 626 653 1121 4.90

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.

Add a review

Please sign in to post a review. Go to login

Are you the school owner?

Claim this profile to reply to reviews and add details.

Requires login