The Downley School

School overview

The Downley School is a primary school serving High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, classified by the DfE as a sponsor-led academy. It has 380 pupils aged 4 to 11 on roll. At its most recent graded inspection, Ofsted rated The Downley School 'Inadequate'. 71% of its pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at the end of Key Stage 2, above the national average (national figure: 61%). The proportion reaching the expected standard has risen by 20.0 percentage points year on year. On our composite score, which combines the DfE attainment measures above, this places it in the top 29% of primary schools nationally.

Pupils achieved an average scaled score of 109 in reading and 109 in maths (national averages are about 105 and 104). 11% reached the higher standard across all three subjects (around 8% do so nationally). Getting a place is straightforward: for the September 2026 intake every family who made The Downley School their first choice was offered one of its 38 Reception places. Overall pupil absence was 4.1%. There are about 24.7 pupils per teacher. Its intake is relatively advantaged, with around 11% of pupils eligible for free school meals in the last six years versus about 24% nationally. If you are considering The Downley School, it may be worth asking how leaders have responded to Ofsted's findings and what has changed since the inspection. This overview is generated automatically from the latest published DfE performance tables and Ofsted data; figures are rounded, and you can check the originals via the official links above.