Celebrating Downsbrook's Strong Ofsted Outcome

We are celebrating our first inspection under Ofsted's new framework with Downsbrook Primary School achieving a Strong standard across all areas.

This marks a significant milestone for our Trust, reflecting our long-term commitment to supporting schools to deliver high-quality education, strong leadership and learning environments where every child can thrive.

Inspectors praised Downsbrook Primary School as "a school full of happy pupils and staff", recognising excellence across inclusion, academic achievement, attendance, behaviour, personal development and leadership.

The report also highlighted the school's highly inclusive culture, noting that leaders are "relentless in ensuring that all pupils are welcome at this school and receive the highly personalised support they need."

The inspection is particularly significant given Downsbrook is the first of our family of schools to be inspected under Ofsted's new framework, introduced in 2025.

A successful improvement journey

Downsbrook joined Schoolsworks in 2018 after being placed in special measures the previous year.

Working closely with our Trust, school leaders have transformed the school over the past eight years, securing a Good judgement in 2022 before achieving strong outcomes across all areas under the new framework.

The report recognises not only pupils' academic success but also the culture that has been created, where children celebrate diversity, demonstrate kindness and show exceptional levels of respect for one another. Attendance was also recognised as being high, with persistent absence described as "extremely low".

Inspectors praised the school's ambitious curriculum, strong early years provision and extensive opportunities for personal development, alongside the close partnership between Trust leaders, the School Community Council and the leadership team.

Cathy Williams, CEO of Schoolsworks Academy Trust, said:

"We're absolutely delighted with this report. As the first Schoolsworks school to be inspected under Ofsted's new framework, this is an important milestone for the Trust and a wonderful recognition of the outstanding work taking place at Downsbrook every day.

"It's particularly pleasing to see the report recognising not only strong academic outcomes and excellent attendance, but also the inclusive, ambitious and caring culture that sits at the heart of the school. Ensuring every child feels valued, supported and inspired to succeed is central to our vision across Schoolsworks.

"Having supported Downsbrook throughout its improvement journey since joining the Trust, it is incredibly rewarding to see this progress recognised. This achievement reflects the dedication of school leaders, staff, governors, pupils, families and the wider Trust team who have worked together to create exceptional opportunities for children."

Just Jeffrey, Headteacher at Downsbrook Primary School, added:

"We are incredibly proud that the inspection recognised what makes Downsbrook such a special place. Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do, alongside high expectations and a determination to help every child succeed. 

“This achievement belongs to our pupils, staff, families and the wider Schoolsworks community, who all play such an important part in making the school the welcoming, ambitious and caring place it is today."

Continuing to build strong schools

The latest inspection continues our strong track record of supporting school improvement across West Sussex. Since the Trust was established in 2012, our schools have consistently achieved positive inspection outcomes with seventeen successive good judgements and one outstanding judgement under the framework in use until 2025, and one strong standard under the new framework.

Downsbrook's achievement demonstrates what’s possible when a school and Trust work together with a shared vision, high expectations and an unwavering commitment to every child's success.