Downlands Community School

  • Secondary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 11 to 16
Ofsted: Good

Dale Avenue, Hassocks, BN6 8LPOpen in maps

Downlands Community School is a secondary school in Hassocks for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 332 schools in West Sussex. It ranks 8th of 38 secondary schools in West Sussex. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2022.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 4 October 2022, report published 23 November 2022

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding
Met

Read the full Ofsted report

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

231 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score57.3

57.3, 11.2 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths66.2%

66.2%, 20.8 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths85.7%

85.7%, 20.9 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc75.8%

75.8%, 35.3 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score5.33

5.33, 1.24 above the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

1,250 pupils on roll, with places for 1,200

Eligible for free school meals8.2%

8.2%, 18.3 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language4%

4%, 17.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support24.4%

24.4%, 9.6 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.2%

2.2%, 3.8 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Downlands Community School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Hurstpierpoint College2 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 11.8
The Burgess Hill Academy2 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 44.6
Burgess Hill Girls2 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 39.0
St Paul's Catholic College3 milesOfsted: OutstandingAttainment 8: 55.5
Patcham High School4 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 45.5

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
11 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
No
Headteacher
Mr Matt Ashdown
Phone
01273845892
Website
downlands.w-sussex.sch.uk
Address
Dale Avenue, Hassocks, BN6 8LP
Local authority
West Sussex
URN
126087

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.