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catchment.school

The Downley School Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

The Downley School is an academy sponsor led primary school in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire , serving pupils aged 4-11, with 380 pupils, and a capacity of 420 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

4-11

Age range

380

Pupils

420

Capacity

90%

Fill rate

Inadequate

Ofsted 2022

The Downley School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for The Downley School?

The catchment area for The Downley School is the geographic zone Buckinghamshire uses to prioritise admissions when this primary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Buckinghamshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, The Downley School sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Buckinghamshire. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

Operating near capacity: 90% of places are currently filled. Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

Get an alert if The Downley School goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Buckinghamshire before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Buckinghamshire catchment area documents →

The Downley School: 420 places, 90% filled: nearing capacity

The Downley School has a published admission number of 420 places. 380 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 90%. The school is operating close to its limit. In years where applications exceed 420, Buckinghamshire's admissions team applies distance-based tiebreakers. Families within the school's historical catchment boundary are well placed, but a boundary check with the council is recommended before applying.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 11.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of High Wycombe.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Buckinghamshire publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Buckinghamshire Council school admissions (official) →

The Downley School: School Information

Full address
Faulkner Way, Downley, High Wycombe, HP13 5AL
Local authority
Buckinghamshire
School type
Academy sponsor led
Phase of education
Primary
Age range
4-11 years
Free school meals
11.1% of pupils
DfE URN
149485

Other Primary Schools in High Wycombe

If The Downley School is oversubscribed, these primary schools in High Wycombe are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest primary schools by distance

These are the primary schools closest to The Downley School by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: The Downley School

What is the catchment area for The Downley School?

The catchment area for The Downley School is the geographic zone Buckinghamshire uses to prioritise admissions when this primary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Buckinghamshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is The Downley School oversubscribed?

The Downley School is operating close to its capacity of 420 places (90% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for The Downley School?

Admission to The Downley School is managed by Buckinghamshire. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does The Downley School cover?

The Downley School is a primary school in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, serving pupils aged 4-11. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for The Downley School?

The Downley School was rated Inadequate by Ofsted in 2022. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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