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OpenSecondaryOfsted: GoodURN 126087

Downlands Community School

Community school · Hassocks · BN6 8LP

Ages 11–16 · 1,250 pupils · West Sussex

School website

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

54.9

Overall absence

7.7%

Admissions demand

1.17 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2022-10-04

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+0.53
−20+2
Attainment 854.9
English & maths grade 5+58%
English & maths grade 4+77%
EBacc entry74%

EBacc APS: 5.1

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence7.7%
Persistent absence (10%+)19.9%
Unauthorised1.6%
Authorised absence
6.0%
Severe absence (50%+)
2.4%
Enrolments in measure
1,274

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

1.17 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

282

Places offered

242

1st-preference offers

233

Total preferences (any rank)
559
Preferred offers (top 3)
242
Applications from outside LA
32
Offers to outside-LA applicants
8
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill104%

1,250 pupils · 1,200 places

Pupils on roll
1,250
Boys / girls
644 / 606
School capacity
1,200
Capacity fill
1,250 / 1,200 (104%)
Free school meals
8.2%
FSM pupils
103
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community school

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Community school
Headteacher
Mr Matt Ashdown

Location

Address
Dale Avenue
Postcode
BN6 8LP
Town
Hassocks
County
West Sussex
Local authority
West Sussex
District
Mid Sussex
Constituency
Mid Sussex
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed community school (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Hassocks, West Sussex, 1,250 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 8.2%.

Open schools in Hassocks
7
Secondary schools in Hassocks
1
Academies among open schools in Hassocks
29% (2)
Open schools in BN6
8
Secondary in BN6
1
Open schools in West Sussex LA
338
Secondary in West Sussex LA
37

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in HassocksNear BN6

  • The Burgess Hill Academy

    Ofsted: Some aspects not as strong

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Burgess Hill · RH15 9EA · West Sussex

    Ages 11–16

    • Att840.4
    • P8-0.5
    • EM5+39%
    • Absence10.6%

    2.1 miles away

  • The Windmills Junior School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Hassocks · BN6 8LS · West Sussex

    Ages 7–11

    • KS265%
    • Absence4.0%
    • FSM6.9%

    0.1 miles away

  • Hassocks Infant School

    Ofsted: Strong standard

    Community school · Primary

    Hassocks · BN6 8EY · West Sussex

    Ages 4–7

    • Absence4.1%
    • FSM5.3%
    • Demand1.00

    0.3 miles away

  • Hurstpierpoint College

    Other independent school

    Hassocks · BN6 9JS · West Sussex

    Ages 4–19

    • Att812.4
    • EM5+0%

    1.9 miles away

  • London Meed Community Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Burgess Hill · RH15 9YQ · West Sussex

    Ages 4–11

    • KS257%
    • Absence5.3%
    • FSM14.2%
    • Demand0.90

    2.0 miles away

  • St Lawrence CofE Primary School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Primary

    Hassocks · BN6 9UY · West Sussex

    Ages 5–11

    • KS271%
    • Absence5.5%
    • FSM7.8%
    • Demand1.00

    2.0 miles away

  • Woodlands Meed

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Foundation special school

    Burgess Hill · RH15 9EY · West Sussex

    Ages 2–19

    • Att82.6
    • P8-1.6
    • EM5+3%
    • Absence8.2%

    2.0 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Matt Ashdown
Telephone
01273845892
Website
http://downlands.w-sussex.sch.uk/

Official links