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ClosedSecondaryURN 110102

The Downs School

Foundation school · Newbury · RG20 6AD

Ages 11–18 · 1,434 pupils · West Berkshire

School website

Attainment 8

52.6

Overall absence

6.6%

Admissions demand

1.26 · Competitive

Performance

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

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+0.32
−20+2
Attainment 852.6
English & maths grade 5+57%
English & maths grade 4+78%
EBacc entry71%

EBacc APS: 4.9

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence6.6%
Persistent absence (10%+)16.7%
Unauthorised1.3%
Authorised absence
5.3%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.4%
Enrolments in measure
1,068

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

1.26 · Competitive

1st preferences

259

Places offered

205

1st-preference offers

196

Total preferences (any rank)
546
Preferred offers (top 3)
205
Applications from outside LA
252
Offers to outside-LA applicants
12
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 fill110%

1,434 pupils · 1,307 places

Pupils on roll
1,434
Boys / girls
763 / 671
School capacity
1,307
Capacity fill
1,434 / 1,307 (110%)
Free school meals
10.7%
FSM pupils
111
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Foundation school

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Supported by a trust
Headteacher
Mr Chris Prosser

Location

Address
Manor Crescent, Compton
Postcode
RG20 6AD
Town
Newbury
County
Berkshire
Local authority
West Berkshire
District
West Berkshire
Constituency
Reading West and Mid Berkshire
Urban/rural
Larger rural: Further from 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 foundation school (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Newbury, West Berkshire, 1,434 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 10.7%.

Open schools in Newbury
42
Secondary schools in Newbury
5
Academies among open schools in Newbury
21% (9)
Open schools in RG20
22
Secondary in RG20
2
Open schools in West Berkshire LA
99
Secondary in West Berkshire LA
10

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 NewburyNear RG20

  • The Downs School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Newbury · RG20 6AD · West Berkshire

    Ages 11–18

    0.0 miles away

  • Compton C.E. Primary School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Primary

    Newbury · RG20 6QU · West Berkshire

    Ages 4–11

    0.3 miles away

  • The Ilsleys Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Newbury · RG20 7LP · West Berkshire

    Ages 4–11

    • KS290%
    • Absence5.1%
    • FSM9.1%
    • Demand1.00

    1.8 miles away

  • Hampstead Norreys C.E. Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Voluntary controlled school · Primary

    Thatcham · RG18 0TR · West Berkshire

    Ages 4–11

    • KS280%
    • Absence5.1%
    • FSM26.1%
    • Demand0.50

    2.1 miles away

  • Beedon C.E. (Controlled) Primary School

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Voluntary controlled school · Primary

    Newbury · RG20 8SL · West Berkshire

    Ages 4–11

    • KS230%
    • Absence9.6%
    • FSM45.5%
    • Demand1.00

    2.2 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Chris Prosser
Website
http://www.thedownsschool.org/

Official links