West Berkshire
The Downs School
GCSE results 2026: every West Berkshire school ranked · how England did
Dependable results for a comprehensive intake; the journey is the main thing to weigh.
What the data says
Published data, read plainly. It tells you what to check next; it does not guarantee a place or replace your local authority’s admissions guidance.
Attainment 8 of 54.7 is above the national average of around 46.
- 54.7
- Attainment 8
- 65%
- 5+ Eng & Maths
- 2025/2026
- Academic year
Pupils made above-average progress compared with similar pupils nationally. The confidence interval is entirely above zero, which is strong evidence of added value.
- +0.32
- Progress 8
- [0.13, 0.52]
- Confidence interval
Admissions realism depends on your home postcode and the school's published allocation data. Enter your postcode on this page to get a more specific assessment, and always verify the latest policy on the school's official admissions page.
What to do next
- Verify the school's official admissions policy
- Book an open day or school visit
- Add this school to your shortlist and compare with backup options
Starting school in September 2027
- Secondary (Year 7): apply by 31 October 2026; offers on 1 March 2027.
National dates for England. You apply through the council where you live, even for a school in another council.
Performance over time
Attainment 8 over time
Progress 8 over time(not available 2024/25 or 2025/26)
Historical results
| Year | Pupils | Att8 | P8 | 5+ E&M | 7+ E&M | EBacc % | EBacc APS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/2026 (provisional) | 205 | 54.7 | — | 65.4% | 16.1% | — | — |
| 2024/2025 | 206 | 53.4 | — | 54.4% | — | 72.3% | 5.0 |
| 2023/2024 | 206 | 52.6 | +0.32 | 57.3% | — | 70.9% | 4.9 |
| 2022/2023 | 203 | 57.1 | +0.78 | 68.0% | — | 55.2% | 5.2 |
| 2021/2022 | 179 | 55.7 | +0.53 | — | — | 29.0% | 4.7 |
EBacc figures stop at 2024/2025: the DfE no longer publishes them from 2025/2026.
Nearby and similar schools
Other secondary schools in West Berkshire for local comparison.
School information
| URN | 110102 |
| Local authority | West Berkshire |
| Region | South East |
| Phase | Secondary |
| Type | Foundation school |
| Gender of entry | Mixed |
| Age range | 11-18 |
| Headteacher | Headteacher Chris Prosser |
| Trust | — |
| Admissions | Non-selective |
| Religious character | None |
| Postcode | RG20 6AD |
| Pupils | 1,437 |
| FSM eligible | 10.6% |
Contact and identifiers
Manor Crescent, Compton, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 6AD
http://www.thedownsschool.org/1635270000| DfE number | 5406 |
| UKPRN | 10006654 |
| Opened | — |
| GIAS updated | 25 Feb 2026 |
Data sources and freshness
| Official record updated | 25 Feb 2026 |
| Latest KS4 year | 2025/2026 |
| Latest KS2 year | — |
| Ofsted published | 10 Nov 2024 |
Latest Ofsted inspection
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
| Inspection type | S5 Inspection |
| Category of concern | — |
| Inspection date | 1 Oct 2024 |
| Publication date | 10 Nov 2024 |