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Welcome to Downs View Special School

Welcome to Downs View School and Link College This website will give you key information about Downs View and also help you to understand how we will support your child during their time at school and college. Downs View School, which has students age 4 – 16, is in Woodingdean. Downs View Link College is next to Varndean College and is for learners aged 16 – 19. We also have a separate provision for learners aged 19 – 25 at Downs View Life Skills College in Patcham. We meet the learning needs for pupils with profound and multiple, severe and moderate learning difficulties. Many of our pupils have autism and communication difficulties. We meet needs through an outstanding curriculum that places individual needs at its centre. We value the importance of developing social emotional needs and life skills alongside developing academic knowledge and skills. All pupils have individualised learning goals that are met through a varied range of learning activities and opportunities. We focus on the key skills needed to allow all of our pupils to have fulfilling lives and live as independently as they are able to. Through working collaboratively with parents and a range of professionals we aim to support the whole child. Our vision at Downs View centres around Respect, Aspiration and Resilience. At Downs View, we’ve created an aspirational learning environment with dignity and respect at its core, where everyone reaches their potential through effective communication, building resilience and having fun. We are really proud of the provision we offer at Downs View so please come and see it in action. We would encourage you to visit the school or college if you are interested in your child attending or you are considering working here. This will give you a chance to see the learning in action and meet our staff and pupils. I look forward to welcoming you to Downs View soon. Vanessa

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Boarding Type

No Boarder

School Type

Secondary, Sixth Form

Suitable Ages

3 to 19

Gender

Mixed

No. of Students

223 Total

No. of Boys

167 (74.9%)

No. of Girls

56 (25.1%)


Academic Excellence

GCSE Results

Latest Examination

0.0%

Students achieving A*/A grades (9/8/7)

A-Level Results

Sixth Form Performance

A* grades

N/A

A*/A grades

N/A


Leavers' Destinations

Destinations after GCSEs

Staying in education

87%

School

79%

England

Apprenticeships

0%

School

3%

England

Further education

School:40%
England:51%

School sixth form

School:0%
England:19%

Sixth form college

School:0%
England:7%

Other education destinations

School:47%
England:2%

Exciting Updates Ahead!

We're currently gearing up to offer you a full list of our courses. Stay tuned — amazing learning opportunities are on their way very soon. Thank you for your interest and enthusiasm!


Exciting Events Ahead!

A detailed admissions process on ApplicaaOne is coming soon.

Please see our website for more information on our admissions process.


Admissions Process

Go to School Website
Oct 2025

Parent/Carer Meeting at School

Macmillan Coffee Morning

Key Dates & Deadlines

Oct 8, 2025

Parent/Carer Meeting at School

Oct 24, 2025

Macmillan Coffee Morning


Term Dates & Half-Term Holidays

Planning ahead for school holidays? Below are the term dates and half-term dates for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Autumn

1 terms

Half Term 1

Sep 4 - Oct 24

Spring

0 terms

Summer

0 terms

Half-Term & Holiday Dates

Autumn Half Term

Oct 27 - Oct 31


Alumni Stories

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Updates Coming Soon!

We’ll be sharing information about the destinations of our alumni here soon.


Enrichment Activities

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Updates Coming Soon!

Exciting Enrichment Activities Coming Soon!

Stay tune! We'll be sharing information about exciting enrichment activities soon.

About School

RegionSouth East
Local AuthorityBrighton and Hove
Ofsted RatingOutstanding
Gender TypeMixed