Exam results, Performance tables & Destinations
The Downs School & Sixth Form is a high performing school, with a consistently strong record of academic success at both GCSE and A Level. We are very proud of the high percentage pass rates achieved by our students, due to the excellence and diligence of our teaching staff, the hard work of our students and the partnership between staff and parents.
KS4 Results
The Downs School is celebrating as its Year 11 students receive some phenomenal GCSE and vocational results.
An incredible 18% of all examinations taken resulted in grades 8 or 9; 33% of entries were grades 9 - 7; 72% of entries were grades 9 – 5; and 84% of entries were grades 9 – 4. 67% of students achieved grades 5 and above in both English and Mathematics.
Headteacher Mr Prosser commented, ‘Despite the well-publicised harsher grading standards this year, our wonderful students have performed brilliantly, achieving even stronger results than were achieved last year. Our students continue to build on our tradition of academic excellence and exceeding our expectations. I am so proud of each and every one of them: they are all resilient, inspiring and talented young people'.
‘The students, staff and parents all worked so hard to make these results happen. It has been a real team effort! Our students’ achievements epitomise what The Downs School stands for: strong partnerships, resilience and desire to achieve at all levels. As a school community we feel a huge sense of achievement because we know that all our Year 11 students have the knowledge, skills and attributes to allow them to achieve success in the next stage of their careers. I am pleased to say that many of them will be continuing this journey with us, staying on in The Downs School Sixth Form.’
| Key Stage 4 (GCSE and L2 BTEC) |
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| Performance Measure | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Progress 8 Score | 0.30 | 0.16 | 0.35 | 0.07 | N/A | N/A | 0.38 | 0.78 |
| Attainment 8 Score | 57.2 | 53 | 54.5 | 53 | 56.98 | 60.16 | 55.74 | 57.1 |
| % students attaining 4+ in English and Maths | 74% | 79% | 85% | 80% | 83% | 89% | 84% | 86% |
| % students attaining 5+ in English and Maths | N/A | 58% | 59% | 56% | 64% | 75% | 62% | 68% |
| EBacc APS | N/A | 4.75 | 4.74 | 4.63 | 4.95 | 5.22 | 4.71 | 5.17 |
| % students entered for EBacc | N/A | 42% | 41% | 36% | 35% | 37% | 29% | 55% |
KS5 Results
Headteacher Mr Prosser said, ‘Congratulations to all our students on achieving such an incredible set of results, in what has been a really challenging two years. The resilience they have shown under such conditions is remarkable. They are all exceptional, inspiring and talented young people and we couldn’t be prouder of them. My biggest pleasure is knowing that all our students are fully equipped to achieve great things in their chosen destinations, whether that will be university, apprenticeships or employment; I look forward to hearing about their future successes’.
Head of Sixth Form Mr Hogan said, ‘These are amazing results which all the students should be incredibly proud of. It cannot be underestimated the impact of not having sat their GCSE exams and having experienced a period of online learning during Year 12. The collective positive ethos has always been impressive in this wonderful cohort of students, and it has been a pleasure to be their Head of Sixth Form over the last two years. Their hard work, courage, and sheer ambition have paid off. I know that all the staff at The Downs Sixth Form are so pleased for them and wish them all the very best for the future’.
| Key Stage 5 (A Level and L3 BTEC) | ||||||||
| Performance Measure | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Number of students | 169 | 139 | 142 | 120 | 159 | 155 | 148 | 149 |
| ALPS score (teaching quality score) | At around 50th percentile | In top 25% of schools | In top 25% of schools | In top 40% of schools | In top 5% of schools | In top 5% of schools | 2 | 2 |
| Average Point Score per student | 32.4 (C+) | 33.8 (C+) | 37.4 (B-) | 36.57 (B-) | 40.35 (B) | 43.01 (B+) | 41.49 (B) | 40.77 (B) |
| A* grades | 5.2% | 6.3% | 8.8% | 9.4% | 12.3% | 19.6% | 13% | 14% |
| A*-A grades | 26.2% | 30.8% | 32.6% | 27.2% | 38.8% | 49.6% | 41% | 36% |
| A*-C grades | 79% | 80.6% | 82.4% | 74.1% | 88.7% | 90.5% | 92% | 85% |
| Pass rate | 98.1% | 97.3% | 97.7% | 99.1% | 100% | 100% | 99% | 100% |
Leavers Destinations Information 22/23 - Year 11
| Number of students | Joined The Downs School Sixth Form | Joined another Sixth Form | Continued education abroad | Joined FE College | Started apprenticeships | Employment | NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) |
| 204 | 146 | 12 | 1 | 35 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
Leavers Destinations Information 22/23 - Year 13
| Number of students | Went to university* | FE College | Gap Year | Employment | Not yet confirmed | Apprenticeships |
| 147 | 94 | 0 | 32 | 8 | 10 | 3 |
*8 accepted Oxbridge offers; 3 accepted offers for Vet Med or Medicine; 46% Russell Group; 61% of students accepted a place in a Russell Group or 1994 Group (now defunct but equivalent in prestige to the Russell Group) university
