News & Headteacher Blogs

The Downs School & Sixth Form is one of the 'Happiest Schools in England & Wales' according to a recent OFSTED, Parent view & The Times and The Sunday Times report.

In last weekend's The Sunday Times, we were listed as one of the top schools enjoying a high 'Happiness rating' that was summarised over 5 years by OFSTED & Parent view.

'The Sunday Times analysed five years (2020-2025) of Parent View data surveys that parents fill out on Ofsted’s website about their children’s schools, with more than 500,000 doing so every year to find some of the happiest in the country.'

If our recent OFSTED Report in October 2024, we were delighted to be told that the school is 'Exceptional'. The Lead Inspector described The Downs School as a school where ‘standards and ambitions are exceptionally high’. A place where our ‘pupils rise consistently to meet these standards and ambitions’. She writes of the ‘passionate teachers’ who are ‘experts in their subjects,’ providing ‘expert support’ that ‘ensures pupil’s individual needs are known’. We think this goes a long way to create a happy and secure culture.

Article link (possible paywall) https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/