Downs Junior School, based in Brighton, provides primary education, serving pupils aged 7 to 11. The school is a community school and operates as a mixed school. It follows a not applicable admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.

Downs Junior School currently has around 499 pupils on roll, which is about 97% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 51.7% boys and 48.3% girls. Around 16.8% 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 5.9%. Persistent absence is recorded at 15%.

The majority of pupils are from a white british background (68.9%).

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.

School Information

Address: Rugby Road, Brighton, BN1 6ED
Website: www.downsjunior.brighton-hove.dbprimary.com/
Telephone: 01273558422
School Type: Community school
Education phase: Primary
Local authority: Brighton and Hove
Headteacher / Principal: Mrs Katie Blood
Religious character: Does not apply
Admissions policy: Not applicable
Unique reference: 114366

Map

Ofsted Inspection

  • Overall effectiveness
  • Quality of education
  • Behaviour and attitudes
  • Personal development
  • Management effectiveness

Ofsted inspection date: 07/11/2023

Safeguarding is effective

Pupils

General

Age Range: 7 - 11
Gender: Mixed
School Capacity: 512
Number of Pupils: 499
Number of Boys: 258
Number of Girls: 241

Absence

SchoolEngland state-funded schools:
Overall absence: 5.9% 4%
Persistent absence: 15% 8.2%

Ethnicity

White British68.90%344
Other White7.80%39
White and Asian4.60%23
White and Black African2.80%14
Other Mixed2.80%14
Chinese2.20%11
African2.20%11
White and Black Caribbean2.20%11
Other (any other ethnic group)1.80%9
Indian1.80%9
Bangladeshi0.80%4
Other Asian0.80%4
Irish0.60%3
Pakistani0.40%2
Unclassified0.20%1
Caribbean0.00%0
Gypsy/Roma0.00%0
Other Black0.00%0
Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage)0.00%0

Education - Primary

Progress scores show how pupils performed compared with pupils nationally who had similar prior attainment. Scores above 0 are better than average; below 0 are worse than average.

Reading: Above Average (2.2)
Writing: Average (1.0)
Maths: Average (0.9)
Pupils meeting expected standard in reading, writing and maths
School
67%
Town average
60%
Local authority average
63%
England average
61%
Pupils achieving at a higher standard in reading, writing and maths
School
8%
Town average
7%
Local authority average
8%
England average
8%
Average score in reading
School
108.0
Town average
105.9
Local authority average
106.5
England average
105.1
Average score in maths
School
106.0
Town average
103.7
Local authority average
104.5
England average
104.3

Nearby Schools

Nursery

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Tarnerland Nursery School
Sussex Street , BN2 0GR
4out of 4 1,783 yd Local authority nursery school Yes Mixed More About School
Royal Spa Nursery School
Park Hill , BN2 0BT
4out of 4 1,988 yd Local authority nursery school Yes Mixed More About School
Whitehouse Nursery School
149 Ladies Mile Road , BN1 8TB
- not rated 3,095 yd Local authority nursery school Not Applicable Not applicable More About School

Primary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Downs Junior School
Rugby Road , BN1 6ED
3out of 4 0 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Downs Infant School
Ditchling Road , BN1 6JA
- not rated 174 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
Davey Drive , Hollingdean BN1 7BF
- not rated 729 yd Voluntary aided school No Mixed More About School
Bevendean Junior School
Heath Hill Avenue , BN2 3JP
- not rated 853 yd Community school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Bevendean County Infant School
Heath Hill Avenue , BN2 3JP
- not rated 853 yd Community school Not Applicable Mixed More About School

Secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Varndean School
Balfour Road , BN1 6NP
3out of 4 1,362 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Dorothy Stringer School
Loder Road , BN1 6PZ
3out of 4 1,370 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Cardinal Newman Catholic School
The Upper Drive , BN3 6ND
- not rated 1,819 yd Voluntary aided school No Mixed More About School
Patcham High School
Ladies Mile Road , BN1 8PB
3out of 4 2,897 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Margaret Hardy School
Ladies Mile Road , Patcham BN1 8PB
- not rated 2,897 yd Community school Not Applicable Girls More About School

16 plus

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
City College Brighton and Hove
Pelham Street , BN1 4FA
- not rated 1,293 yd Further education Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College
205 Dyke Road , BN3 6EG
- not rated 1,437 yd Further education Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Varndean College
Surrenden Road , BN1 6WQ
- not rated 1,659 yd Further education Not Applicable Mixed More About School

Not applicable

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
The Connected Hub
Tilbury House , Florence Place BN1 7GU
- not rated 101 yd Pupil referral unit No Mixed More About School
Brighton and Hove Montessori School
67 Stanford Avenue , BN1 6FB
- not rated 342 yd Other independent school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Brighton & Hove Montessori School
67 Stanford Avenue , Brighton BN1 6FB
- not rated 342 yd Other independent school Yes Mixed More About School
Team Domenica
2-3 Pavilion Buildings , BN1 4QE
- not rated 766 yd Special post 16 institution Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Kings Brighton
27-33 Ditchling Road , BN1 4SB
- not rated 1,067 yd Other independent school No Mixed More About School

School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.