The Downs Preparatory School, Bristol
The Downs Preparatory School is an independent school for pupils aged 4 to 13 in Bristol. It is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted; its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in May 2025.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
The Downs Preparatory School in detail
The Downs Preparatory School in its own words
In its own words: "At The Downs Preparatory School, we believe in nurturing not just academic achievement, but also the character and values of every child. Our mission, ethos, and school values work together to create a community where each student can flourish in an environment that is both inspiring and supportive."
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include yoga, dance, drama, cooking, gardening, eco club and forest school.
The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care.
Vision and values (school website)Clubs (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Who goes there
In 2026, 39 pupils (16%) received SEN support and 3 (1.2%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Portway Park & Ride Rail Station, about 2.7 miles away in a straight line.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood The Downs Preparatory 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 0 crimes within a mile of the school. That is well below the typical figure around schools in North Somerset (76).
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASISI Inspection Reports
Independent schools in England are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), not Ofsted.
Routine Inspection
7 May 2025
Regulatory Compliance
15 June 2022
Educational Quality / Focused Compliance
12 September 2017
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Keep up with The Downs Preparatory School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025.
The typical figure for schools in North Somerset is 5 (the median across 85 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
81%
Available places
243 pupils
300 places
57 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Bristol
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Bristol
Across North Somerset council
Places available
2,656
Applications
2,256
Got 1st preference
95.3%
Got preferred school
99.1%
All secondary applications across North Somerset council (2026/27), not just this school.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
39
SEN Support
3
EHC Plans
17.3%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
243
Total Pupils
137
Boys
106
Girls
2026 academic year
Questions parents ask about The Downs Preparatory School
When was The Downs Preparatory School last inspected?
The Downs Preparatory School is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted. Its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in May 2025.
How many pupils go to The Downs Preparatory School?
The Downs Preparatory School has around 243 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to The Downs Preparatory School?
The Downs Preparatory School is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near The Downs Preparatory School?
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025. The typical figure for schools in North Somerset is 5 (the median across 85 schools, same distance and years).
Where is The Downs Preparatory School?
The Downs Preparatory School is at Charlton Drive, Wraxall, Bristol, BS48 1PF.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)