News & Headteacher Blogs

Did you know that our logo for The Downs School was created to honour The Uffington White Horse and our farming lands in the Berkshire Downs?

Yesterday, we had our annual Speedy Careers Day for our students in Year 9. They met with many business guests who came to talk about their jobs and how school helped them shape their career today. More on that soon.

We discussed Marketing as a career with our own Head of Marketing, Mrs Bennett and talked about the school as a brand and what the logo represented. She told us:

- At the centre of the shield is the Uffington White Horse, a well known landmark in the Berkshire Downs and an important part of our local heritage. It represents our seven core values. As a school, we aim to develop these qualities in our students so that they are well prepared for the every stage of their lives.

-The original design also included corn to represent the agricultural history of the area. The Downs is a rural community shaped by farming and stewardship of the land. The image of corn reflects growth, care and hard work. These are principles that underpin education. With the right support and guidance, young people grow and achieve.

-We have added 'Berkshire' to the logo to show our pride in our county. It reinforces our identity and our strong connection to the wider community we serve. We refreshed the brand in 2024 and updated the logo as a thoughtful update rather than a complete change.

"Thank you to all the excellent Year 9s who asked such insightful questions!"