Schools by area › West Sussex › Downlands Community School
Downlands Community School
Secondary · Mixed · Ages 11–16 · Community school
Dale Avenue, Hassocks BN6 8LP · downlands.w-sussex.sch.uk · 01273 845892
Overview
- Ofsted
- Report card
- Jul 2026 · graded by area, with no overall grade
- GCSEs, 2024/25
- 57.3
- average Attainment 8 score. West Sussex 46.2, England 46
- Last distance offered
- 8.22 mi
- 13.23 km · Year 7, September 2026 entry · Criteria 7 · West Sussex Council
- Demand for places
- 1.1
- first choices for each place · Year 7, September 2026
- Pupils
- 1,250
- 50 over 1,200 places · 104%
- Local authority
- West Sussex
- Sixth form
- No
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Free school meals
- 8.2%
- First language not English
- 4%
- School census 2025/26
The official school record (Department for Education)
Admissions
For Year 7 in September 2026, the last place offered under “Criteria 7” went to a home 8.22 mi (13.23 km) from the school. Source: West Sussex Council’s document.
For Year 7 in September 2026, 257 families put the school first and 241 places were offered; 89% of those families were offered a place there. Admission depends on the school’s own rules.
Demand for places
First choices against places
| Year 7 | Places | First choices | Per place | % offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026Sept 2026 | 241 | 257 | 1.1▲ | 89% |
| September 2025Sept 2025 | 234 | 274 | 1.2▲ | 84% |
| September 2024Sept 2024 | 242 | 282 | 1.2▲ | 83% |
| September 2023Sept 2023 | 268 | 301 | 1.1▲ | 88% |
| September 2022Sept 2022 | 271 | 312 | 1.2▲ | 86% |
Last distance offered
| Year 7 – Criteria 7 | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | 8.22 mi13.23 km | |
Results
In 2024/25 the average Attainment 8 score at GCSE was 57.3, and 66.2% of pupils got grade 5 or above in English and maths. Across West Sussex it was 46.2, and across England 46.
GCSE results
Attainment 8
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▲57.3 | 46.0 | ||
| ▲66.2% | 45.4% | ||
| ▲85.7% | 64.8% | ||
| ▲75.8% | 40.5% | ||
| ▲5.33 | 4.09 |
Where Year 11 leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| School sixth form | 7.6 | +3.8 |
| Sixth form college | 58.8 | +2.3 |
| Further education | 23.5 | −7.7 |
| Other education | 0.8 | 0 |
| Apprenticeship | 2.5 | 0 |
| Employment | 1.7 | −0.4 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 2.5 | +0.8 |
| Activity not captured | 2.5 | +1.2 |
Ofsted
Ofsted inspected Downlands Community School on 7 July 2026 and published a report card: each area has its own grade, and there is no overall grade.
- Inclusion: Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching: Strong standard
- Achievement: Strong standard
- Attendance and behaviour: Expected standard
- Personal development and well-being: Strong standard
- Leadership and governance: Strong standard
- Inspected
- 7 Jul 2026
- Report card
- Safeguarding
- Met
Graded areas
| Inclusion | Expected standard |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and teaching | Strong standard |
| Achievement | Strong standard |
| Attendance and behaviour | Expected standard |
| Personal development and well-being | Strong standard |
| Leadership and governance | Strong standard |
Previously: Good, graded inspection, Oct 2022
Earlier inspections
September 2019 to November 2025
Oct 2022Good
Quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Safeguarding Effective
Before September 2019
Nov 2016Outstanding
Outcomes for pupils Outstanding Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Safeguarding Effective Jan 2012Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Leadership and management Good
What parents said
85% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (266 replies, to 4 September 2023).
- Recommend
- 85%
- Replies
- 266
- 22% · 4 Sept 2023
based on the 78% who raised concerns
based on the 35% who had a child bullied
based on 61 parents (23%) with SEND