The school is smaller than the average secondary school for students up to 16 years. The school serves the village of Downton and the surrounding area in South Wiltshire. The vast majority of students are of White British heritage, with very small numbers from several minority ethnic groups. The school roll has been quite stable in recent years. However, the number of students expected to join the school in September 2014 is higher and some growth of the school is anticipated. The proportion of students with disabilities and special educational needs supported through school action is slightly below the national average, while the proportion supported through school action plus or with statements of special educational needs is a little above average. The school has a special educational needs base to help students who have physical impairments. A smaller proportion of students than average receive pupil premium funding. This provides additional funding for looked-after children, students known to be eligible for free school meals and children of service families. The proportion of students from service families is very small. In Years 7 and 8, about a tenth of students benefit from additional help in mathematics and English, funded by the government’s catch-up programme. The school meets the government’s current floor standard, which sets the minimum expectations for students’ attainment and progress. In Key Stage 4 a very small number of students attend work-related training courses off-site through The Farringdon Centre, Salisbury; Riverbourne Community Farm; Wiltshire College, Salisbury; and Include, which is a pupil referral centre.