Located in Hassocks, Downlands Community School is a secondary school, serving pupils aged 11 to 16. The school is a community school and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.
Downlands Community School currently has around 1250 pupils on roll, which is about 104% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 50.6% boys and 49.4% girls. Around 7.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The school has a diverse intake across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 7.7%. Persistent absence is recorded at 19.9%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (82.9%).
At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Good. This suggests the school is performing well overall. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 99% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (88%) , including 3% who stay in school sixth forms and 19% progressing to further education , while 8% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Dale Avenue, Hassocks, BN6 8LP |
| Website: | http://downlands.w-sussex.sch.uk/ |
| Telephone: | 01273845892 |
| School Type: | Community school |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | West Sussex |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mr Matt Ashdown |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 126087 |
Ofsted inspection date: 04/10/2022
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 16 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 1200 |
| Number of Pupils: | 1250 |
| Number of Boys: | 632 |
| Number of Girls: | 618 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 7.7% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 19.9% | 8.2% |
| White British | 82.90% | 1036 |
| Unclassified | 5.80% | 72 |
| Other White | 5.20% | 65 |
| Other Mixed | 1.90% | 24 |
| White and Asian | 1.20% | 15 |
| White and Black African | 0.80% | 10 |
| African | 0.30% | 4 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.30% | 4 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.30% | 4 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 0.30% | 4 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.20% | 3 |
| Other Asian | 0.20% | 3 |
| Irish | 0.20% | 2 |
| Indian | 0.10% | 1 |
| Pakistani | 0.10% | 1 |
| Caribbean | 0.10% | 1 |
| Chinese | 0.10% | 1 |
| Other Black | 0.00% | 0 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Windmills Junior School Dale Avenue , BN6 8LS | 3out of 4 | 132 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Hassocks Infant School Chancellors Park , BN6 8EY | 3out of 4 | 471 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ditchling St Margaret's Church of England Primary School Lewes Road , BN6 8TU | 3out of 4 | 2,103 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ditchling (St Margaret's) Church of England Primary School Lewes Road , BN6 8TU | - not rated | 2,103 yd | Voluntary controlled school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.