The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire
The Downs School & Sixth Form is a state-funded secondary school in Compton, Newbury, Berkshire, serving students aged 11-18 across Years 7-13. Part of the Summit Education Trust multi-academy trust, it delivers GCSE, A Level, BTEC, and EPQ programmes with specialized pastoral and therapeutic support.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersCompton, Newbury, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire does
The Downs School & Sixth Form is a state-funded secondary school located in Compton, Newbury, Berkshire (RG20 6AD), United Kingdom, serving students aged 11-18 across Years 7-11 (GCSE) and Years 12-13 (Sixth Form). Founded in 1960, the school operates under the Summit Education Trust multi-academy trust, with Headteacher Chris Prosser serving also as CEO of the trust. The institution is a non-profit educational organization with 62 employees, governed through the standard UK local authority admissions framework, drawing pupils primarily from the West Berkshire catchment area.
The school's core offering comprises the National Curriculum at Key Stages 3 and 4 alongside a Sixth Form provision delivering A Levels, BTEC Level 3 courses, and the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Differentiated programs overlay the core curriculum: a More Able Provision identifies and challenges gifted and talented pupils through CAT testing, a Subject Ambassador Programme, the Exceptional Education Project, and EPQ preparation; a Therapeutic Thinking Programme developed by Angela Wadham supports students affected by Adverse Childhood Experiences; and a substantial SEND infrastructure led by a SENDCO with deputy/assistant SENDCOs, literacy teachers, and an extended team of teaching assistants provides inclusive education. Extracurricular enrichment includes the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme (Bronze/Silver/Gold), a seven-house competitive system, performing arts competitions, and the Evolve Film Festival. Technology platforms comprise Arbor (student information system and parent portal), Microsoft Teams (communication and virtual events), and CAT (Cognitive Abilities Tests) for assessment.
The revenue model is government education funding via the West Berkshire local authority funding formula, with no tuition fees charged to families. Optional charges apply only for ancillary items such as trips, clubs, catering, and uniforms. Distribution is entirely domestic and operates through formal local-authority admissions for Years 7-11 and direct Sixth Form admissions for Years 12-13, supplemented by open mornings/evenings, prospectus distribution, arrange-a-visit options, and an active social media presence across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire
- Legal name
- The Downs School
- Website
- https://thedownsschool.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The Downs School & Sixth Form is a state-funded secondary school in Compton, Newbury, Berkshire, serving students aged 11-18 across Years 7-13. Part of the Summit Education Trust multi-academy trust, it delivers GCSE, A Level, BTEC, and EPQ programmes with specialized pastoral and therapeutic support.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Secondary Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Services (61)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Literacy & Numeracy Intervention (Reading/Math Support) (EDAJALAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Title I & Compensatory Education Programs (EDAJAGAJ)
Keywords
Where The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Compton, Newbury
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Government Education Funding: As a state secondary school, The Downs School receives government funding through local authority funding formulas for educational services provided to students in Years 7-13.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Downs School & Sixth Form is a UK state secondary school delivering full secondary education for students aged 11-18 across Years 7-13, including GCSE preparation in Years 7-11 and post-16 study (A Levels, BTEC Level 3, and EPQ) in the Sixth Form. The school supplements its core academic curriculum with specialist provision including SEND support, a More Able programme, and a Therapeutic Thinking initiative for students with Adverse Childhood Experiences. Enrichment is delivered through Duke of Edinburgh Awards, performing arts, and house competitions.
Product overview
The Downs School & Sixth Form is a secondary school in Berkshire offering a comprehensive educational program from Years 7-13. The school provides a dual-core structure comprising secondary education (Years 7-11) leading to GCSE qualifications and a Sixth Form offering A Levels, BTEC Level 3, and EPQ. Supporting these core offerings are specialized programs including the More Able Provision for gifted students, the Therapeutic Thinking Programme for behavioral support, and comprehensive SEND services. The school also offers extensive extracurricular activities including Duke of Edinburgh Awards, performing arts, and film-making through the Evolve Film Festival. The institution is part of the Summit Education Trust and utilizes Arbor as its parent portal and school management system.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Secondary Education (Years 7-11)
- Sixth Form
- More Able Provision
- Therapeutic Thinking Programme
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Support
- Safeguarding and eSafety Service
- Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
- Evolve Film Festival Participation
Companies that use The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature1 record
The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Summit Education TrustcoreThe Downs School is part of the Summit Education Trust, a multi-academy trust. The Headteacher, Mr C Prosser, serves as Headteacher & CEO of Summit Education Trust. The trust provides governance and support services to the school.
- Downland AllianceminorAffiliation with the Downland Alliance, a local educational partnership/network for schools in the area.
- Time to TalkminorExternal counselling service providing additional therapeutic support to students who need extra help. Part of the school's broader therapeutic support network including in-school Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs).
- The Downland FederationminorThe school is part of The Downland Federation, which may include formal partnerships with other local schools for shared services or collaborative initiatives.
- West Berkshire AuthoritycoreThe school operates within the West Berkshire local authority area. The Therapeutic Thinking initiative was introduced across all schools in West Berkshire Authority as a three-year initiative.
Scale indicators2 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Oasis Community Learning: Oasis is one of the UK's largest academy trusts running a network of schools with a values-led, community-embedded model similar in spirit to The Downs School's pastoral emphasis. It is a comparable MAT structure at greater scale.
- Reach2 Academy Trust: Reach2 is a large multi-academy trust operating numerous primary and secondary schools across England. It represents the broader incumbent category of MATs that, like Summit Education Trust, aggregate schools under shared governance, back-office, and improvement frameworks.
- Wellington College: Wellington College is a high-status independent school in Berkshire. While not a direct competitor due to fee-paying model, it competes for the same West Berkshire cohort of academic and More Able pupils and serves as a benchmark for stretch and enrichment programming.
Emerging players
- Witherslack Group: Witherslack Group operates specialist SEND schools and alternative provision across the UK. It represents an analogous model to The Downs School's SEND/therapeutic differentiation, but at commercial scale and across multiple specialist sites.
Direct peers
- Kennet School: Kennet School is a state secondary and sixth form in Thatcham, also within West Berkshire. It competes for the same Year 7 intake and A-Level/BTEC students as The Downs School, operating with comparable curriculum and SEND provision.
- St Bartholomew's School: St Bartholomew's is another state secondary school in the West Berkshire area, forming part of the same local admissions marketplace. It competes directly with The Downs School for pupils across Years 7-13.
- Park House School: Park House School is a co-educational secondary school in Newbury, West Berkshire. It is the most direct state-school competitor in the same catchment area, drawing from the same feeder primaries and competing for Sixth Form enrollment.
Others
- Arbor Education (MIS): Arbor is the school management information system / parent portal provider used by The Downs School. It is an enabling vendor serving this school's operational stack rather than a competitor, but it is closely tied to how the school delivers parent communication and reporting.
Regional players
- Mary Hare School: Mary Hare is a specialist school near Newbury for deaf pupils. While geographically close and overlapping with West Berkshire SEND commissioning, it serves a specialist segment rather than competing directly for general secondary admissions.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire social profiles
Digital presenceThe Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire
What does The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire do?
The Downs School & Sixth Form is a UK state secondary school delivering full secondary education for students aged 11-18 across Years 7-13, including GCSE preparation in Years 7-11 and post-16 study (A Levels, BTEC Level 3, and EPQ) in the Sixth Form. The school supplements its core academic curriculum with specialist provision including SEND support, a More Able programme, and a Therapeutic Thinking initiative for students with Adverse Childhood Experiences. Enrichment is delivered through Duke of Edinburgh Awards, performing arts, and house competitions.
Is The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire a public or private company?
The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire founded?
The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire was founded in -1. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire based?
The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire is headquartered in Compton, Newbury, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Education Funding.
Who are The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Oasis Community Learning, Reach2 Academy Trust and Wellington College. Witherslack Group is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Kennet School, St Bartholomew's School and Park House School. Arbor Education (MIS) is listed as an others. Mary Hare School is listed as a regional player.
Does The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire.
What industry is The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire in?
The Downs School & Sixth Form, Berkshire's product category is Secondary Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJALAD, Literacy & Numeracy Intervention (Reading/Math Support), with a secondary code of EDAJAGAJ, Title I & Compensatory Education Programs. Its NAICS code is 61111 and its SIC code is 8200.