Downs View Special School

Downs View Special School continues to demonstrate exceptional performance, maintaining the high standards established in previous inspections. The school prioritizes the individual needs of pupils, ensuring a conducive environment for learning where pupils feel proud and supported. With strong attendance rates and exemplary behavior, students benefit from tailored curricular and personal development opportunities that equip them for their future. The school's emphasis on teaching critical life skills and effective communication further enhances their educational quality.

Strengths

• Exceptional education tailored to individual needs.
• High expectations lead to excellent pupil achievement.
• Strong focus on reading, communication, and personal development.
• Effective collaboration with therapists for maximizing learning.
• Positive school community promoting respect and support among pupils.
• Dedicated staff providing thoughtful professional development.

In 2024–25 pupils at Downs View Special School attended 89.8% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 34.3% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.4% of pupils at Downs View Special School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Downs View Special School had 6.7 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 7.4% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 Downs View Special School had 224 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; multi-sensory impairment; autistic spectrum disorder.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Downs View Special School received £36,420 and spent £37,038 for each of its 224 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £19,000 (£84 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

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What is Downs View Special School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Downs View Special School is Outstanding, from an inspection in July 2025.

When was Downs View Special School last inspected by Ofsted?

Downs View Special School was last inspected in July 2025.

How many pupils does Downs View Special School have?

Downs View Special School has 224 pupils on roll.

What age range does Downs View Special School cover?

Downs View Special School for pupils aged 3 to 19.

What are Downs View Special School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Downs View Special School?

Downs View Special School is at Warren Road, Woodingdean, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 6BB.