The Downs School
& Sixth Form
Set in the heart of the Berkshire Downs, The Downs School is an exceptional secondary school, where we pride ourselves on our small school feel and strong sense of community. Our ethos is rooted in the values of courage, responsibility, equality, ambition, resilience, creativity, and integrity, which shape the development of our students and the positive culture within our school. These values, shared by staff, students, and parents, guide our partnership as we work together to create an environment where young people are supported to realise their full potential and achieve their personal goals.
Learning together, learning for life, which runs through the daily life of the school, providing us with the guidance we need to realise our vision and achieve outstanding outcomes for our students.
'Educating today's students for the world of tomorrow'
Case
Study
MAY 2026
The success of The Downs School & Sixth Form is rooted in many years of strong, consistent leadership through The Downland Federation, the predecessor to Summit Education Trust. This long-standing partnership created a stable and collaborative foundation, where schools worked closely together, shared expertise and supported one another to improve outcomes for all students.
Through the Federation, leaders were able to take a longer-term view, investing in staff development, curriculum strength and a clear, shared vision. This consistency has enabled The Downs School to build a confident culture, high expectations and a strong sense of community.
Importantly, the Federation model allowed leadership to remain close to the schools and the community it serves. That balance of collaboration and local understanding continues to underpin the school’s success today and now forms the foundation for Summit Education Trust.