Introduction to key people
Supporting Students at The Downs School
Starting secondary school is a significant milestone, not only for students but also for their families. At The Downs School, a dedicated team of staff is on hand to ensure that each student feels supported, welcomed and ready to make a confident start. Below is an introduction to some of the key people students and parents are likely to encounter during the early weeks and months.
Mrs Clark, Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo)
Mrs Clark is the school’s Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. She is responsible for identifying and supporting students who have additional learning needs. Her involvement often begins before a student officially joins the school, with additional transition visits or meetings with key staff to help with a smooth start.
Mrs Clark also plays a role in forming tutor groups and, once term begins, provides a range of support, such as literacy and spelling intervention, mentoring sessions and Teaching Assistant support within lessons. Her focus is always on helping every child reach their full potential.
Mrs Jones, Key Stage 3 Student Manager
Mrs Jones supports students in Years 7 to 9 as the Key Stage 3 Student Manager. Her role is centred on student wellbeing, and she works closely with Heads of Year and tutors to ensure that each child feels safe, supported and listened to.
She helps students navigate challenges such as friendship issues, concerns about home life or difficulties settling into school. As a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mrs Jones provides a vital pastoral role and is usually based in the Student Support Centre, where students can come to talk to her throughout the day.
Mrs Alexander, Student Manager and Pupil Premium Lead
Mrs Alexander works within the Student Support Centre as one of the school’s Student Managers. She is specifically responsible for supporting students and families in receipt of the Pupil Premium, a government grant aimed at closing the attainment gap for disadvantaged pupils.
Her support ranges from helping students with lost equipment or homework tasks to offering emotional support or in-class assistance. She also organises enrichment activities such as Cookery School and Oracy Group and builds strong relationships with families. She is the main point of contact for any queries relating to Pupil Premium and Service Pupil Premium.
Ms Rawlings, Inclusion Manager and ELSA Support
Ms Rawlings is the Inclusion Manager and a trained Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA). She runs the Inclusion Room, a calm and welcoming space located in the Student Support Centre, where students can receive academic, emotional or social support as needed.
She has extensive experience in helping young people develop resilience and manage emotional challenges, ensuring that school remains a positive and secure environment. As well as her professional experience, Ms Rawlings is also a mother and grandmother, which brings an added depth to her nurturing and empathetic approach.
Mrs Silverthorne, Admissions and Pastoral Administrator
Mrs Silverthorne holds several key administrative roles within the school, including Admissions Administrator for Years 7 to 11. She plays a central part in the transition process, working closely with West Berkshire’s Admissions Department and The Downs School’s Transition Team.
She manages admissions paperwork, coordinates events such as Open Evenings, Induction Days and the New Parents’ Information Evening, and is a first point of contact for families with admissions queries. Her work helps to ensure that every new student’s move to secondary school is smooth, well-informed and welcoming.
Miss J Anderson – Student Support Worker, ELSA Support and Midday Supervisor
Miss J Anderson is involved in many aspects of school life and is a familiar face to many students. She greets students arriving by bus each morning, helps with uniform checks and makes sure they know where to go.
In addition to her role as a Midday Supervisor, she provides one-to-one support through her work as an ELSA and Student Support Worker. Whether a student is feeling anxious, needs help settling in, or simply wants someone to talk to, Miss Anderson is a friendly and reassuring presence throughout the day.
The Downs School is proud of its supportive environment and committed staff. Each member of the team works together to ensure that every student has the best possible start to secondary school.
