Downton CofE VA Primary School, Salisbury

In its own words: "Our school aim is that every child should develop his/her full intellectual, physical, emotional, social and spiritual potential. It also states that children will develop 'Respect for God and an understanding of the Christian Faith.' This is one of the core foundations for daily life at our school."

From the headteacher's welcome: "With close links with both St Laurence’s Church and the Baptist Church, our christian ethos underpins the warm atmosphere that it is clearly evident to all who visit. Our school is a wonderfully nurturing environment, where children flourish and grow to become independent, resilient and responsible young people, excited about life and learning."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include chess and coding.

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care, from £6.00 per session.

Coming up: an open day on Friday 6 November 2026, an open day on Saturday 7 November 2026 at 9am, an open day on Monday 9 November 2026 and an open day on Tuesday 10 November 2026 at 9am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 84% of Year 6 pupils at Downton CofE VA Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 82% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 73% in Wiltshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (88% in reading, 83% in maths).

For September 2026 entry, 32 families put Downton CofE VA Primary School as their first choice and 39 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 2 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Downton CofE VA Primary School are Morgan's Vale and Woodfalls Church of England Primary School (1.5 miles, Good, 67% reading, 78% maths); Hale Primary School (2 miles, Good, 81% reading, 69% maths); Breamore Church of England Primary School (2.5 miles, Good, 92% reading, 83% maths); and Alderbury and West Grimstead Church of England Primary School (3.6 miles, 83% reading, 86% maths).

Downton CofE VA Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

64 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Downton CofE VA Primary School (as of September 2025): 91% would recommend the school, 91% say their child is happy there and 71% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (98%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (71%).

11% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 1.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 33 pupils (12.1%) received SEN support and 7 (2.6%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

Downton CofE VA Primary School had 24 teachers in 2026, one for every 12 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Downton CofE VA Primary School.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Co-op (near), 80 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Downton CofE VA Primary School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 8 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Wiltshire (34).

In 2024/25, Downton CofE VA Primary School issued 1 suspension, 0.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.