The Downs School Catchment Area
The Downs School is a foundation secondary school in Newbury, West Berkshire , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 1437 pupils, and a capacity of 1307 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.
11-18
Age range
1,437
Pupils
1,307
Capacity
110%
Fill rate
The Downs School Catchment Area Information
What is the catchment area for The Downs School?
The catchment area for The Downs School is the geographic zone West Berkshire uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary 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. West Berkshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.
Secondary school places at The Downs School are allocated by West Berkshire using ranked oversubscription criteria. Catchment area residence is typically among the highest priorities after looked-after children and siblings, and the boundary is reviewed each year.
Not getting a place? Learn how to appeal a school place →
Want the cut-off distance before you apply? Get an alert when West Berkshire publishes the 2027 The Downs School numbers →
The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by West Berkshire before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.
Find West Berkshire catchment area documents →The Downs School: heavily oversubscribed at 110% capacity
The Downs School has a published admission number of 1307 places. 1437 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 110%. At 110% capacity, the school is heavily oversubscribed. West Berkshire allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. Living within the catchment area is a strong but not guaranteed advantage, as the last distance offered shrinks each year as applications rise.
The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 10.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Newbury.
To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.
West Berkshire 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. Find West Berkshire school admissions →
The Downs School: School Information
- Full address
- Manor Crescent, Compton, Newbury, RG20 6AD
- Local authority
- West Berkshire
- School type
- Foundation school
- Phase of education
- Secondary
- Age range
- 11-18 years
- Admissions policy
- Non-selective
- Free school meals
- 10.6% of pupils
- DfE URN
- 110102
Other Secondary Schools in Newbury
If The Downs School is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Newbury are the next closest alternatives.
Nearest secondary schools by distance
These are the secondary schools closest to The Downs 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.
Need help understanding catchment areas?
Frequently Asked Questions: The Downs School
What is the catchment area for The Downs School? ▾
The catchment area for The Downs School is the geographic zone West Berkshire uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary 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. West Berkshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.
Is The Downs School oversubscribed? ▾
Yes, The Downs School currently has 1437 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1307 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.
What is the admissions policy for The Downs School? ▾
Admission to The Downs School is managed by West Berkshire. 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 Downs School cover? ▾
The Downs School is a secondary school in Newbury, West Berkshire, serving pupils aged 11-18. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.