"A good school with outstanding features." OFSTED

Key Stage 4 Results 2011

Fifth year in trend of rising results at The Downs

Once again on 25th August we were able to celebrate with our students their wonderful success in recent examinations.

76% of students at The Downs gained 5 or more GCSE A*-C grades including English and mathematics. 

This result was considerably above any other West Berkshire school.

This measure, including English and Maths, is recognised as an important one – it gives students that vital grounding in enabling them to go on to a huge variety of future possibilities.This continues our rising year on year trend. 

80% of students gained 5 or more A*- C grades overall; 
Nearly 100% (99.4%) gained 5 or more A*-G grades; 
Over 35% of entries were graded A or A*;
over 58% entries were graded B or better and over 79% of entries were at C and above.

Headteacher Val Houldey said,

It is heartening to see that all the hard work of students and their teachers has been rewarded.  It is becoming a more and more competitive world and we do all we can to give our students the best possible start.

Outstanding performers who gained all A and A* in 9 or more GCSEs were:

There were particularly stunning successes in biology and physics where over 90% of students gained passes at C and above; Religious Studies where 95% and Art and Design where 97% gained grades C and above.