Downlands Community School
| Type | Primary / Community school |
| Age Range | 3-11 |
| Religion | Does not apply |
| Address | Blandford Camp Blandford Forum Dorset DT11 8BG |
| Phone | 01258453348 |
| Reference Number | 113659 |
Downlands Community School is performing at an expected standard, showcasing a strong commitment to safeguarding and inclusivity amidst unique challenges associated with its location on a military base. Pupils generally enjoy attending school, exhibit positive behaviour, and are supported well, especially through a nurturing environment that caters to their diverse needs, including those with SEND. However, the school faces challenges in academic achievement, particularly in mathematics and writing, where some pupils do not progress as quickly as they could, influenced by frequent changes in student demographics.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 215 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 49.3%
Girls: 50.7% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 4.4% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 31.6% |
Class Sizes
| Average size of one teacher classes | 23.1 |
| Average size of Key Stage 1 classes taught by one teacher | 20 |
| Average size of Key Stage 2 classes taught by one teacher | 27.3 |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 | 13 | 27 |
| 2 | 12 | 14 | 26 |
| 3 | 15 | 18 | 33 |
| 4 | 12 | 13 | 25 |
| 5 | 14 | 14 | 28 |
| 6 | 13 | 12 | 25 |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White, British | 63.3% |
| Asian, Other | 29.8% |
| Caribbean | 1.9% |
| White & Black (Caribbean) | 1.4% |
| Indian | 0.9% |
| African | 0.9% |
| White, Other | 0.5% |
| Mixed, Other | 0.5% |
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Needs attention |
| > Leadership & Governance | Needs attention |
| > Personal Development & Wellbeing | Expected standard |
| > Achievement | Needs attention |
| > Attendance & Behaviour | Expected standard |
| > Curriculum & Teaching | Needs attention |
| > Inclusion | Expected standard |
| > Early Years | Expected standard |
| Last Report Date | 13 Jan 2026 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 13 Jan 2026 | School inspection |
| 07 Jun 2023 | School inspection |
| 03 Oct 2017 | Short inspection |
| 09 Jul 2013 | Full inspection |
| 03 Mar 2010 | Full inspection |
| 14 Feb 2007 | Full inspection |
| 24 May 2004 | Full inspection |
Strengths
- Pupils enjoy coming to school and are generally well-prepared and ready to learn.
- High expectations for attendance are effectively communicated to pupils and families.
- Positive behaviour is reinforced through clear routines and the school's STAR ambitions.
- Strong focus on early years development, ensuring effective transition to key stage 1.
- Leaders provide tailored support for pupils with SEND and those who join mid-year.
- Comprehensive personal development curriculum that fosters understanding of British values.
- Well-structured pastoral care enhances pupils' emotional well-being and community integration.
Areas for Improvement
- Some pupils do not attain necessary skills in mathematics and writing as swiftly as possible.
- Learning expectations sometimes exceed what pupils have been taught, hindering confidence.
- Certain areas of the curriculum are not implemented effectively enough to support skill practice.
- Leadership systems for evaluating impact are not yet robust, leading to limited understanding of improvement areas.
How many students meet the standards
| Reading, Writing & Maths | School Score | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils meeting the expected standard | 42% | ||
| Pupils meeting a higher standard | 4% |
Average Scaled Score
Results are converted into scaled scores to allow accurate comparisons of performance over time even if the difficulty of the test varies over time. Scaled scores range from 80 to 120.
| Subject | School | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 102 | ||
| Maths | 103 |
Progress Scores
A progress score is a way to measure how well a student progressed in comparison to other students of a similar starting ability. A score of zero means would mean that a student made the same progress as others that had a similar starting a ability. A positive score would mean that the student made more progress than other students of similar starting ability. The scores below are for the whole school so is the average progress score across all students.
| Metric | School Score | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | -1.4 | ||
| Writing | -3.6 | ||
| Maths | -0.7 |
How many students meet the standards
Sample
UnlockAverage Scaled Score
Results are converted into scaled scores to allow accurate comparisons of performance over time even if the difficulty of the test varies over time. Scaled scores range from 80 to 120.
Sample
UnlockProgress Scores
A progress score is a way to measure how well a student progressed in comparison to other students of a similar starting ability. A score of zero means would mean that a student made the same progress as others that had a similar starting a ability. A positive score would mean that the student made more progress than other students of similar starting ability. The scores below are for the whole school so is the average progress score across all students.
Sample
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| Number of Applications | Number of Offers | |
| First Preference | ||
| Second Preference | 2 | 0 |
| Third Preference | 0 | 0 |
| From another Local Authority | 0 | 0 |
Previous Years
Sample
Unlock| Name | Distance |
|
Pimperne Church of England VC Primary School
Newfield Road, Pimperne, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 8WF |
1.35 miles |
|
Archbishop Wake Church of England Primary School
Black Lane, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 8SW |
1.98 miles |
|
Milldown CofE Academy
Milldown Road, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 7SN |
2.36 miles |
|
Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary School
Birch Avenue, Blandford St Mary, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 9QD |
2.76 miles |
|
Spetisbury CofE Primary School
High Street, Spetisbury, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 9DF |
3.4 miles |
|
Durweston Church of England Primary School
Durweston, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0QA |
3.8 miles |
|
Witchampton Church of England First School
Witchampton, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 5AP |
4.39 miles |
|
Hanford School
Child Okeford, Blandford Forum, DT11 8HN |
4.96 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
The Blandford School
Milldown Road, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 7SQ |
2.52 miles |
|
Bryanston School
Bryanston, Blandford Forum, DT11 0PX |
3.11 miles |