Downend School

About Downend School

Downend School is an exciting and vibrant learning community where every young person is supported to achieve their very best. At Downend we have high expectations of all our students. We expect them to reflect this in their appearance, attitudes and behaviour.

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Key Facts

Head/Principal Rachael Corns

Rating Breakdown

Based on published reviews

Safety & Security 2.8

Teaching Quality 2.6

Communication 2.6

Student Wellbeing 3.3

Facilities 2.7

Parent Survey

Official Ofsted Parent View data • 220 responses • 15.4% response rate

View on Ofsted

My child is happy at this school

88.2% positive 10.9% negative

My child feels safe at this school

88.2% positive 10.5% negative

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved

81.8% positive 13.6% negative

The school has high expectations for my child

78.6% positive 14.6% negative

My child does well at this school

82.8% positive 13.2% negative

I would recommend this school to another parent

Data from Ofsted Parent View as of September 2025. Based on 220 parent responses to the official Ofsted survey.

School Workforce

Teacher and staff information • 2024-2025

Note: These figures are estimated based on national averages. Actual school-level data not yet available.

17.0:1

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Excellent

84.1

Teachers (FTE)

Estimated workforce data based on GIAS enrollment and national average ratios. Academic year 2024-2025.

Secondary School Results (Key Stage 4)

Exam performance data • 2023-2024

48.8

Attainment 8

Average grade across 8 subjects

+0.10

Progress 8

Above average

49.3%

English & Maths 9-5

Strong pass in both

75.5%

English & Maths 9-4

Standard pass in both

Additional Information

24.9% entered EBacc

20.1% achieved EBacc

229 pupils in cohort

Data from DfE Performance Tables for academic year 2023-2024. Published January 2024. View full performance tables

Reviews 10

P

Parent Unconfirmed

Parent Aug 15, 2024

1.0

"downend school"

downend school don’t care about mental health all they care is that ur in ur lessons. And mr pitts is very weird with all students. Mr ashworth and Mr brockwell are the only good teachers and the only ones that care make them the headteachers!!!

Safety & Wellbeing 1/5

Teaching & Learning 1/5

Communication 1/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 5/5

Facilities 1/5

Helpful

P

Parent Unconfirmed

Parent Feb 26, 2024

1.0

"Awful school"

It was awful experience

Safety & Wellbeing 1/5

Teaching & Learning 1/5

Communication 1/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 1/5

Facilities 1/5

Helpful

P

Parent Unconfirmed

Parent Feb 26, 2024

1.0

"Terrible"

This stupid school ruined my life never going back

Safety & Wellbeing 1/5

Teaching & Learning 2/5

Communication 1/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 4/5

Facilities 3/5

Helpful

P

Parent Unconfirmed

Parent May 30, 2023

1.0

"Avoid! "

It doesn't sound like anything has changed since I went over ten years ago. Anyone that I cross who is choosing a secondary school for their children, I will warm them about this school.

You were just a number. There wasn't any support for students, be it for mental health, education or general well being.

I hope they do improve at some point.

Safety & Wellbeing 1/5

Teaching & Learning 1/5

Communication 1/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 1/5

Facilities 1/5

Helpful

R

Rachel M Unconfirmed

Parent Dec 1, 2022

5.0

"Excellent school with a strong sense of community"

Downend School has been an excellent choice for our child. The values of honesty, fairness and justice are clearly evident in the way the students and staff interact with each other. The school's commitment to providing a well-rounded education is evident in the wide range of extracurricular activities on offer. We're so proud of our child's growth and development!

Safety & Wellbeing 5/5

Teaching & Learning 4/5

Communication 5/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 4/5

Facilities 5/5

Helpful

E

Emily B Unconfirmed

Parent Sep 1, 2022

5.0

"Exceptional school with dedicated staff"

I have been thoroughly impressed with the facilities and programs offered at Downend School. My child has thrived in the supportive environment and has developed a strong sense of values that will stay with them throughout their lives. The staff are dedicated and caring, always willing to go the extra mile. Highly recommend!

Safety & Wellbeing 5/5

Teaching & Learning 5/5

Communication 5/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 5/5

Facilities 5/5

Helpful

P

Parent Unconfirmed

Parent May 8, 2022

2.0

"review "

the education system is alright students are not aloud to go to the toilet in 100 minute lessons they are not aloud to stand up in the canteen at break/lunch and they don’t care about your mental health and if your getting stressed and taking a step back

Safety & Wellbeing 3/5

Teaching & Learning 2/5

Communication 2/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 2/5

Facilities 1/5

Helpful

D

David T Unconfirmed

Parent Mar 15, 2022

4.0

"Good school with some areas for improvement"

We have been happy with the education our child has received at Downend School so far. The staff are friendly and approachable, and the facilities are modern and well-maintained. However, we have noticed that communication with parents could be better, particularly regarding updates on our child's progress.

Safety & Wellbeing 5/5

Teaching & Learning 4/5

Communication 4/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 4/5

Facilities 4/5

Helpful

P

Parent Unconfirmed

Parent Dec 17, 2020

3.0

"Decent school"

Decent school

Nice teachers however the behaviour system is focused entirely on punishment and does not support students needs when it comes to mental heath

Safety & Wellbeing 3/5

Teaching & Learning 3/5

Communication 3/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 4/5

Facilities 3/5

Helpful

P

Parent Unconfirmed

Parent Nov 22, 2020

3.0

"Downend school "

Supportive teachers.

The only real issue is mental health

Safety & Wellbeing 4/5

Teaching & Learning 3/5

Communication 5/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 3/5

Facilities 3/5

Helpful