The Downs School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. All members of the school community share the commitment of the governing body and headteacher. The drive for all students to be inspired and succeed at the highest level has led to the impressive improvements since the last inspection.

Students join the school with strong literacy and numeracy skills overall. By the time they finish Key Stage 4, their levels of attainment are very high. Achievement overall is outstanding because students in all year groups make rapid progress from their already high levels of attainment on entry to the school.

The sixth form is outstanding. Students make exceptional progress and are very well pr...epared for the next stage of their education or training. Highly effective systems to support teachers' professional development have led to outstanding teaching which skilfully enables students to take responsibility for their own rapid pace of learning.

Students are eager to learn; their behaviour and their application to learning are exemplary. They are polite and respectful to adults and to one another. They feel safe and are extremely proud of their school.

They keenly participate in the many sporting and creative opportunities the school offers. Outstanding leadership and management pervade the school. Leaders ensure that exceptionally high achievement is sustained and that there is a continuous drive to improve the quality of teaching and learning.

Information about this school

The Downs School is a larger-than-average secondary school. The proportion of disabled students and those with special educational needs supported through school action is much lower than that found nationally. The proportion of students supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is lower than the national average.

Almost all students are of White British heritage with a very small number who speak English as an additional language. A small proportion of the students attending the school are known to be eligible for the pupil premium (additional government funding for students known to be eligible for free school meals, those who are looked after by the local authority and those from service families) and this is much lower than the national average. The highest proportion of eligible students is from service families.

The school uses alternative provision for a very small number of students at Key Stage 4. Students have work experience placements in various locations arranged by the local Education Business Partnership for one day a week. A placement at the local authority's pupil referral provision is used to support a student.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress. In September 2010, the headteacher of The Downs School also became the executive headteacher of the Compton Primary School. In September 2012, the two schools became federated and a new governing body was established, which includes members of the two previous governing bodies.