The Downs Church of England Primary School
Deal, CT14 7TL · Kent · primary school
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378th of 425 primary schools in Kent we can score, 460 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 1.3/10 against 2,001 of them, against 1.4/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 48.0 · 16 | 40% | 0.65 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Downs Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 48.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0%, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (1.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in October 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join story, origami, art, gardening, maths, geography, and drama clubs, as well as choir, photography, and STEM groups. Sports include swimming and American football. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 316 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who are below the expected standard in maths? What specific strategies are used to raise attainment in writing? How does the school manage class sizes given the current roll?
What Ofsted said about The Downs Church of England Primary School
Overview
The Downs Church of England Primary School is judged as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories. Pupils ‘flourish’ in a ‘warm and welcoming’ environment where they are taught to be ‘kind and active citizens’. The school provides a high-quality education with effective teaching and strong personal development.
Strengths
- The Reception Year provides a ‘positive start’, with staff skilled in helping children ‘gradually build knowledge over time’.
- Reading instruction is ‘effective’, supported by a ‘well-sequenced phonics scheme’ that helps pupils become ‘confident readers’.
- The curriculum is ‘ambitious’ and ‘coherently sequenced’, enabling pupils to ‘connect concepts and knowledge’ and recall content over time.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are ‘supported effectively’ and ‘achieve well’ alongside their peers.
- The school ‘strongly promotes pupils’ personal development’, fostering a ‘respectful and inclusive environment’ where pupils grow in confidence.
Areas to improve
- A small number of pupils read books ‘not sufficiently well matched to their reading ability’, which slows progress; the trust must ensure books are ‘accurately matched to the sounds they have previously learned’.
- Attendance is ‘too low for some pupils’, particularly disadvantaged pupils, hindering their learning; the trust should ‘redouble their efforts’ to improve this.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 44% |
| 2023/24 | 38% |
| 2024/25 | 48% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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