Monday 29th June 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
I’m delighted to be able to write today to share with you the outcomes of our recent Ofsted inspection—news that reflects a great deal of hard work across the whole school community and something we can all take pride in.
I’m very proud to say that Downsbrook has been judged as meeting the Strong Standard in every evaluated area under Ofsted’s new report card framework. This is a significant achievement and reflects the consistent effort, care and ambition across our whole school community.
Today, I told the children in assembly. It felt right that they heard it before anyone else, because this achievement belongs to them. Seeing how proud they were—and quite rightly so—was a lovely moment, and a good reminder of what sits at the heart of our school – Our children.
The inspectors were extremely positive about our children—their behaviour, confidence, kindness and the way they represent the school every day. They particularly noted how well pupils treat each other, their enthusiasm for learning, and the respect they show. This speaks volumes about them, and also about the support they receive at home and in school.
A theme that came through strongly was how inclusive and considerate our children are. They show understanding, empathy and acceptance of difference, which is something we value highly. This reflects our core principles—Equality, Engagement and Empowerment—which continue to guide our work. As the report commented “Pupils value and celebrate diversity and difference. They show kindness, empathy and respect to others in a way which goes far beyond tolerance”.
Some of the key highlights from the report include:
• High achievement above national averages for all pupils
• Exceptional behaviour – kind, respectful and focused
• Highly inclusive – every child supported to succeed
• Confident, resilient learners who enjoy coming to school
• Strong teaching and an ambitious curriculum
• Excellent personal development – empathetic and well-rounded pupils
I would really encourage you to take the time to read the full report—I’m sure you will agree that it is a remarkable testament to our school and the culture we have built together.
We often talk about doing what is right for children. It’s reassuring to see that reflected so clearly in this report, and it’s a testament to the steady commitment of the staff team over time.
When I first joined Downsbrook in 2018 the school faced significant challenges and had been judged as inadequate. Since then, with the support of Schoolsworks Academy Trust and a lot of sustained hard work from staff, we have moved the school forward. Achieving a Good judgement in 2022 was an important step, and this latest outcome—Strong Standard in every area—builds meaningfully on that progress and is a resounding endorsement of our relentless commitment to securing the very best outcomes for each and every child.
I also want to take a moment to thank all of our staff. This is very much a shared effort, just as the day-to-day work of the school always is. Every member of staff has contributed in their own way, and that collective commitment is what makes outcomes like this possible. They deserve real credit for what they’ve achieved, and I’m very grateful for the work they do.
To help explain the new Ofsted report card system, I’ve included a link to a short Ofsted video outlining what these judgements mean. The video can be viewed here. I hope you find it useful.
Most of all, I hope you feel proud of the children. They are thoughtful, capable and kind, and it’s a privilege to see them develop. It is a pleasure to lead Downsbrook, and this outcome reflects the strength of our whole community. I would also like to acknowledge Mr Neale, whose contribution to Downsbrook’s journey has been important. Although he has moved on to Headship in another school, his work played a role in getting us to this point.
Finally, thank you for your continued support and trust. Strong partnerships between home and school make a real difference, and this is something we’ve achieved together.
Thank you for being part of the Downsbrook community.
Yours sincerely
Just Jeffrey
Headteacher
Enter the full Downsbrook Primary School website