What did Ofsted judge The Downs Church of England Primary School's overall effectiveness to be?

Ofsted judged The Downs Church of England Primary School's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in September 2023, on Ofsted's own scale.

How many pupils attend The Downs Church of England Primary School?

The Downs Church of England Primary School has 316 pupils on roll.

What ages does The Downs Church of England Primary School take?

The Downs Church of England Primary School admits pupils aged 4 to 11.

Where is The Downs Church of England Primary School located?

The Downs Church of England Primary School is located in Deal, CT14 7TL, Kent.

How do I apply to The Downs Church of England Primary School?

The Downs Church of England Primary School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for primary places is 15 January.

Does The Downs Church of England Primary School have a religious character?

Yes — The Downs Church of England Primary School has a religious character of Church of England. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.

How far from The Downs Church of England Primary School were places offered?

The furthest place offered at The Downs Church of England Primary School for 2026-27 (Reception) was 1.516 miles from the school. The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.

How are Reception places decided at The Downs Church of England Primary School?

When The Downs Church of England Primary School has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after and previously looked after children — All Looked After Children – LAC (looked after children), PLAC (previously looked after children who ceased to be looked after through adoption, child arrangement order, or special guardianship order), and IAPLAC (internationally adopted previously looked after children under equivalent circumstances); 2. Sibling/family association — Current family association e.g. elder brother/sister at School, and who live at the same address – this includes step siblings, foster siblings, adopted siblings and other children living permanently at the same address. Priority will not be given to children with siblings who are former pupils of the school; 3. Health and Special Access Reasons — Medical, health, social and special access reasons will be applied in accordance with the school's legal obligations, in particular those under the Equality Act 2010. Priority will be given to those children whose mental or physical impairment mean that they have a demonstrable and significant need to attend a particular school. Equally this priority will apply to children whose parents'/guardians' physical or mental health or social needs mean that they have a demonstrable and significant need to attend a particular school. Such claims will need to be supported by written evidence from a suitably qualified medical or other practitioner who can demonstrate a special connection between the needs and our schools, and 1 further criteria. The school offers 60 places at this entry point. Tie-break: In the unlikely event that two or more children in all other ways have equal eligibility for the last available place at the school, the names will be issued a number and drawn randomly, while witnessed by an independent person to decide which child should be given the place.

What is the largest ethnic background at The Downs Church of England Primary School?

According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 82.6% of pupils at The Downs Church of England Primary School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

The Downs Church of England Primary School: Catchment 2026

How far did offers reach?

1.516miles

was the furthest place offered for 2026-27 (Reception). The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.

Last distance offered at The Downs Church of England Primary School, year by year →

How places are decided at The Downs Church of England Primary School

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Reception), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked after and previously looked after children — All Looked After Children – LAC (looked after children), PLAC (previously looked after children who ceased to be looked after through adoption, child arrangement order, or special guardianship order), and IAPLAC (internationally adopted previously looked after children under equivalent circumstances).
2Sibling/family association — Current family association e.g. elder brother/sister at School, and who live at the same address – this includes step siblings, foster siblings, adopted siblings and other children living permanently at the same address. Priority will not be given to children with siblings who are former pupils of the school.
3Health and Special Access Reasons — Medical, health, social and special access reasons will be applied in accordance with the school's legal obligations, in particular those under the Equality Act 2010. Priority will be given to those children whose mental or physical impairment mean that they have a demonstrable and significant need to attend a particular school. Equally this priority will apply to children whose parents'/guardians' physical or mental health or social needs mean that they have a demonstrable and significant need to attend a particular school. Such claims will need to be supported by written evidence from a suitably qualified medical or other practitioner who can demonstrate a special connection between the needs and our schools.
4Nearness of Children's Homes to School — We use the distance between the child's permanent home address and the school, measured in a straight line using the National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG) address point. Distances are measured from a point defined as within the child's home to a point defined as within the school as specified by NLPG. The same address point on the school site is used for everybody.

If two applications tie: In the unlikely event that two or more children in all other ways have equal eligibility for the last available place at the school, the names will be issued a number and drawn randomly, while witnessed by an independent person to decide which child should be given the place.

Document states: 'Before the application of oversubscription criteria, children with a Statement of Special Educational Need (SSEN) or Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) which names the school will be admitted. As a result of this the published admissions number will be reduced accordingly.' No specific cohort/entry year (e.g. September 2027) is stated in the document; policy was reviewed November 2025.

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.

The Downs Church of England Primary School: key facts

What did Ofsted judge The Downs Church of England Primary School's overall effectiveness to be?: Ofsted judged The Downs Church of England Primary School's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in September 2023, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend The Downs Church of England Primary School?: The Downs Church of England Primary School has 316 pupils on roll.
What ages does The Downs Church of England Primary School take?: The Downs Church of England Primary School admits pupils aged 4 to 11.
Where is The Downs Church of England Primary School located?: The Downs Church of England Primary School is located in Deal, CT14 7TL, Kent.
How do I apply to The Downs Church of England Primary School?: The Downs Church of England Primary School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for primary places is 15 January.
Does The Downs Church of England Primary School have a religious character?: Yes — The Downs Church of England Primary School has a religious character of Church of England. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.
How far from The Downs Church of England Primary School were places offered?: The furthest place offered at The Downs Church of England Primary School for 2026-27 (Reception) was 1.516 miles from the school. The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.
How are Reception places decided at The Downs Church of England Primary School?: When The Downs Church of England Primary School has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after and previously looked after children — All Looked After Children – LAC (looked after children), PLAC (previously looked after children who ceased to be looked after through adoption, child arrangement order, or special guardianship order), and IAPLAC (internationally adopted previously looked after children under equivalent circumstances); 2. Sibling/family association — Current family association e.g. elder brother/sister at School, and who live at the same address – this includes step siblings, foster siblings, adopted siblings and other children living permanently at the same address. Priority will not be given to children with siblings who are former pupils of the school; 3. Health and Special Access Reasons — Medical, health, social and special access reasons will be applied in accordance with the school's legal obligations, in particular those under the Equality Act 2010. Priority will be given to those children whose mental or physical impairment mean that they have a demonstrable and significant need to attend a particular school. Equally this priority will apply to children whose parents'/guardians' physical or mental health or social needs mean that they have a demonstrable and significant need to attend a particular school. Such claims will need to be supported by written evidence from a suitably qualified medical or other practitioner who can demonstrate a special connection between the needs and our schools, and 1 further criteria. The school offers 60 places at this entry point. Tie-break: In the unlikely event that two or more children in all other ways have equal eligibility for the last available place at the school, the names will be issued a number and drawn randomly, while witnessed by an independent person to decide which child should be given the place.
What is the largest ethnic background at The Downs Church of England Primary School?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 82.6% of pupils at The Downs Church of England Primary School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

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How far did offers reach?

1.516miles

was the furthest place offered for 2026-27 (Reception). The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.

Last distance offered at The Downs Church of England Primary School, year by year →

How places are decided at The Downs Church of England Primary School

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Reception), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked after and previously looked after children — All Looked After Children – LAC (looked after children), PLAC (previously looked after children who ceased to be looked after through adoption, child arrangement order, or special guardianship order), and IAPLAC (internationally adopted previously looked after children under equivalent circumstances).
2Sibling/family association — Current family association e.g. elder brother/sister at School, and who live at the same address – this includes step siblings, foster siblings, adopted siblings and other children living permanently at the same address. Priority will not be given to children with siblings who are former pupils of the school.
3Health and Special Access Reasons — Medical, health, social and special access reasons will be applied in accordance with the school's legal obligations, in particular those under the Equality Act 2010. Priority will be given to those children whose mental or physical impairment mean that they have a demonstrable and significant need to attend a particular school. Equally this priority will apply to children whose parents'/guardians' physical or mental health or social needs mean that they have a demonstrable and significant need to attend a particular school. Such claims will need to be supported by written evidence from a suitably qualified medical or other practitioner who can demonstrate a special connection between the needs and our schools.
4Nearness of Children's Homes to School — We use the distance between the child's permanent home address and the school, measured in a straight line using the National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG) address point. Distances are measured from a point defined as within the child's home to a point defined as within the school as specified by NLPG. The same address point on the school site is used for everybody.

The Downs Church of England Primary School: key facts

What did Ofsted judge The Downs Church of England Primary School's overall effectiveness to be?: Ofsted judged The Downs Church of England Primary School's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in September 2023, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend The Downs Church of England Primary School?: The Downs Church of England Primary School has 316 pupils on roll.
What ages does The Downs Church of England Primary School take?: The Downs Church of England Primary School admits pupils aged 4 to 11.
Where is The Downs Church of England Primary School located?: The Downs Church of England Primary School is located in Deal, CT14 7TL, Kent.
How do I apply to The Downs Church of England Primary School?: The Downs Church of England Primary School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for primary places is 15 January.
Does The Downs Church of England Primary School have a religious character?: Yes — The Downs Church of England Primary School has a religious character of Church of England. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.
How far from The Downs Church of England Primary School were places offered?: The furthest place offered at The Downs Church of England Primary School for 2026-27 (Reception) was 1.516 miles from the school. The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.
How are Reception places decided at The Downs Church of England Primary School?: When The Downs Church of England Primary School has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after and previously looked after children — All Looked After Children – LAC (looked after children), PLAC (previously looked after children who ceased to be looked after through adoption, child arrangement order, or special guardianship order), and IAPLAC (internationally adopted previously looked after children under equivalent circumstances); 2. Sibling/family association — Current family association e.g. elder brother/sister at School, and who live at the same address – this includes step siblings, foster siblings, adopted siblings and other children living permanently at the same address. Priority will not be given to children with siblings who are former pupils of the school; 3. Health and Special Access Reasons — Medical, health, social and special access reasons will be applied in accordance with the school's legal obligations, in particular those under the Equality Act 2010. Priority will be given to those children whose mental or physical impairment mean that they have a demonstrable and significant need to attend a particular school. Equally this priority will apply to children whose parents'/guardians' physical or mental health or social needs mean that they have a demonstrable and significant need to attend a particular school. Such claims will need to be supported by written evidence from a suitably qualified medical or other practitioner who can demonstrate a special connection between the needs and our schools, and 1 further criteria. The school offers 60 places at this entry point. Tie-break: In the unlikely event that two or more children in all other ways have equal eligibility for the last available place at the school, the names will be issued a number and drawn randomly, while witnessed by an independent person to decide which child should be given the place.
What is the largest ethnic background at The Downs Church of England Primary School?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 82.6% of pupils at The Downs Church of England Primary School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

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See every school within walking distance, ranked by distance and inspection grade.

Schools near Walmer station

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Separately-registered childcare operating at this school's site, each with its own Ofsted record.

Stay 'n' Play

Wraparound club

Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

Interested in this school?Register interest and we'll pass your details on if it joins School Atlas.Register interest

This school hasn't claimed its profile yet, so it can't receive enquiries here. Leave your details and we'll pass them on if the school joins School Atlas.

The Downs Church of England Primary School

How far did offers reach?

How places are decided at The Downs Church of England Primary School

The Downs Church of England Primary School: key facts

Similar schools nearby

Explore nearby

The Downs Church of England Primary School

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Nearby schools within 5 km

How far did offers reach?

How places are decided at The Downs Church of England Primary School

The Downs Church of England Primary School: key facts

Similar schools nearby

Explore nearby

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Nearby schools within 5 km