The Downs School, Newbury

Coming up: an open evening on Thursday 12 November 2026 at 6pm, an open day on Tuesday 17 November 2026 at 9.15am, an open day on Wednesday 2 December 2026 at 9.15am and an open day on Tuesday 23 March 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

The Downs School has no published results of its own yet. Before it became an academy in 2026, under its previous registration (URN 110102), its pupils had an average Attainment 8 score of 54.7 and 65% passing English and maths at grade 5 or above in the 2026 GCSE results.

For September 2026 entry, 249 families put The Downs School as their first choice and 523 named it as one of their preferences, for 204 places offered. That is 1.2 first choices for every place. 53 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The Downs School is one of 3 schools run by Summit Education Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 206 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 94% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 22% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.

Of the 161 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 59% went on to university or other higher education, 3% to apprenticeships and 29% into work. 41% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of The Downs School.

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Downs School, 190 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 0 crimes within a mile of the school. That is well below the typical figure around schools in West Berkshire (26).

The primary schools closest to The Downs School are Compton C.E. Primary School (0.3 miles) and The Ilsleys Primary School (1.8 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.