News & Headteacher Blogs

For the third year in a row, The Downs School is celebrating after 100% of students who applied for a university place received offers to study at their chosen educational establishment.  Eighty seven per cent of students submitted applications to UCAS, with all students receiving at least one offer. Indeed the majority received five offer letters, giving them a greater choice on where to study.

The Downs School is the only state school in West Berkshire to have a dedicated UCAS Manager, Mrs Waller, who guides students through the higher education application process.  “The process starts with helping students choose the subjects they wish to study at Sixth Form so they really enjoy their next two years of learning,” said Mrs Waller. “Then when the time comes to apply for university, we work with students on an individual basis to not only guide them through the application process, but to ensure that they find the right university and course for them.”

This year students have applied to study subjects ranging from architecture to zoology. In addition, seven students have received conditional offers to study at the prestigious Oxford and Cambridge universities, the school’s highest number of offers from the Oxbridge establishments to date.

Head of Sixth Form, Mr Hogan added: “We are delighted that all our students who applied have received university offers, and this is goes hand in hand with an increased number of our students pursuing fantastic Degree Apprenticeship opportunities, so we look forward to supporting all our students through their exams and then sharing their joy on results day.”