The Trafalgar School at Downton
Breamore Road, Downton, Salisbury, SP5 3HNOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
The Trafalgar School at Downton is a secondary school in Salisbury for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 262 schools in Wiltshire. It ranks 3rd of 7 secondary schools in Salisbury. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in July 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 3 July 2023, report published 17 September 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 3 July 2023
The Trafalgar School at Downton is truly a community school. Honest and just leadership is at the heart of this improving organisation. Senior leaders know their school and the community exceptionally well. They have utilised this to improve provision effectively following the last inspection. Consequently, the way the curriculum is taught has improved rapidly. Pupils learn the curriculum well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils value the family ethos of this school. They contribute to calm, purposeful lessons. Pupils are attentive and conduct themselves well. Many aspire to achieve and take pride in their work, particularly in subjects where teachers' expectations are highest. Pupils rightly say they feel safe. Occasionally, pupils need reminding to adhere to the school's high expectations of behaviour. Most pupils and parents rightly say that bullying is not an issue. When it does happen, leaders take appropriate action. Pupils embrace the opportunities to enrich their learning through extensive extra- curricular opportunities, such as music, outdoor education and chess club. Pupils speak positively about the 'Trafalgar 360', which sets out 20 opportunities that all pupils will benefit from during their school life. As a result, pupils develop positive attitudes to school.
What the school should improve
- Leaders have introduced standard expectations to improve the consistency of how the curriculum is implemented. This has successfully improved the overall quality of teaching and learning. However, the standard approach means that teachers do not allow pupils to explore ideas in different ways and across subjects. This means that pupils learn the curriculum well, but sometimes to a superficial level. Leaders should build on and strengthen the implementation of the curriculum so that pupils deepen their understanding of key concepts and outcomes continue to improve in all areas.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
149 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
808 pupils on roll, with places for 630
Schools near The Trafalgar School at Downton
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Burgate School and Sixth Form | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 46.6 |
| Forres Sandle Manor School | 5 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Salisbury Sixth Form College | 5 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School | 5 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 73.1 |
| Chafyn-Godolphin | 6 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 24.6 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- MAGNA LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mr Jy Taylor
- Phone
- 01725550300
- Address
- Breamore Road, Downton, Salisbury, SP5 3HN
- Local authority
- Wiltshire
- URN
- 144389
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.