Gravel Close, Downton, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP5 3LZ
10 reasons to choose Downton Church of England Primary School
Top line
Downton Church of England Primary School has a Schoolsmith Score® of 69. It is one of the best state primary schools in Salisbury and one of the 8 best independent or state primaries within 7 miles.
School fundamentals
Downton Church of England Primary School is a state primary school for boys and girls (50%/50%) between the ages of 4 and 11 years. It is a Church of England voluntary aided faith school. Though Ofsted no longer makes an an overall effectiveness judgement, its graded judgements imply a Good rating for the school in its last (2025) inspection. Reception places are usually oversubscribed every year, on first preference.
Average class size
Downton Church of England Primary School has ten classes from Reception, some whole year, some mixed age, and an average class size of 27 pupils.
Exam results
Average Year 6 SATS results from 2016-19 and 2022 show that Downton Church of England Primary School achieves varied attainment scores, from the top 10% nationally to below the national average. By the same measure, progress scores have been variable around the national average, possibly reflecting different cohorts’ ability profiles.
The Downton Church of England Primary School curriculum
School curriculum emphasises Christian social morality and also includes PSHE, French. Subjects are taught separately and are organised by topics, with cross-curricular linking where appropriate. The school offers each child a handful of extra-curricular academic activities or hobby clubs.
More on the curriculum
There are regular educational trips for all year groups, visiting speakers and residential trips in Years 4 and 6.
Specialist teaching
Most lessons are taught by the class teacher with some peripatetic and specialist teaching.
Sport at Downton Church of England Primary School
School offers between 10 and 15 different sports over the course of the year. Representative teams in major sports from Year 3.
The Arts at Downton Church of England Primary School
Art and music are taught as discrete subjects to all pupils. DT, drama, dance integrated into other subjects. Choir and band. There may be an occasional extra-curricular performing arts or arts & crafts club.
Wraparound care
Out of school hours care from 7.45am to 6.00pm.
Find another school near Downton Church of England Primary School
Salisbury Cathedral School (5.8 miles); Forres Sandle Manor Prep School (6.1 miles).
St Osmund’s Catholic Primary School, Salisbury (5.8 miles); Hyde Church of England Primary School (6.7 miles); The New Forest Church of England Primary School (7.4 miles).
Godolphin (6.5 miles); Leehurst Swan (6.9 miles); Moyles Court School (9.1 miles).
The Burgate School and Sixth Form (4.4 miles); Bishop Wordsworth’s Grammar School (6 miles); South Wilts Grammar School for Girls (7 miles).