The Downs Primary School and Nursery
Primary · Academy converter · Ages 3–11 · Harlow, Essex
The Downs Primary School and Nursery is a primary school in Harlow, Essex for ages 3–11 (academy converter). Its latest Ofsted outcome is Not judged, from the inspection on 20 May 2025.
Key facts
- Address
- The Hides, Harlow, CM20 3RB
- Type
- Academy converter
- Phase
- Primary
- Ages
- 3–11
- Sector
- See recorded establishment type
- Council
- Essex
- Pupils on roll
- 362 January 2026 school census
- Free school meals
- 24.6% of pupils eligible
- Pupils per teacher
- 21
Official record: Get Information about Schools · as at 15 September 2026
Ofsted
Not judged Inspected 20 May 2025
Strengths
- “Pupils who attend The Downs Primary School and Nursery are polite and respectful.”
- “Staff model these qualities effectively so that pupils respond positively to what is expected of them.”
- “Staff know pupils well and build positive relationships.”
To improve
- “This means they do not benefit from studying the school’s curriculum from the start of their formal education.”
- “However, for some pupils, their individual plans do not always reflect the precise support they need in their learning.”
- “However, sometimes staff’s expectations are not high enough.”
Safeguarding: Effective
Quoted from the Ofsted report published 25 June 2025 (read the report). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.
Exam results
| Measure | School | England |
|---|---|---|
| Key stage 2 · reading, writing and maths, expected standard (2024/25) | 52% | 62% |
Department for Education school performance data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Applications and offers
- 2026 Reception entry: 35 first-preference applications, 39 offers in total, 35 offers to first-preference applicants.
Department for Education, school-level applications and offers, figures on national offer day. Earlier years are in the pass.
More with a 3-month pass
A one-off £9.99 pass, no subscription, unlocks for 3 months:
- Earlier years of applications and offers
- Earlier years of exam results
- Which schools pupils move on to or come from
- Crime, sold prices, broadband and transport around the school
A last distance offered describes one past year and is not a catchment or a promise of a place. Check with the council before you apply.
Nearby primary schools
Straight-line distance, in Essex.
- Freshwaters Primary Academy 0.3 mi Standards maintained
- St Alban's Catholic Academy 0.6 mi Standards maintained
- Pemberley Academy 0.7 mi School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next
- William Martin Church of England Junior School 0.7 mi Good
- Hare Street Community Primary School and Nursery 0.7 mi Standards maintained
- Little Parndon Primary Academy 0.8 mi Requires improvement
- Cooks Spinney Primary Academy and Nursery 0.8 mi Not judged
- Abbotsweld Primary Academy 0.9 mi School remains Good