School
22 October 2024
The Downs School-RG20 6AD
Award packages
School address line 1
Comton
School address line 2
Newbury
School postcode
RG20 6AD
School name
The Downs School
School town/city
Berkshire
Awards packages progress
Award ref
School context
Set in the heart of the Berkshire Downs, The Downs has a small school feel and strong sense of community. Our ethos is rooted in the values of courage, responsibility, equality, ambition, resilience, creativity, and integrity, which shape the development of our students and the positive culture within our school. 1405 students on roll, including 362 in the 6th form
• Proportion of pupils with SEN support or EHC plan is lower than national (EHCP – 26 (1.8%) below average; SEN support 119 (9%) well below average),
• We have students from 18 different categories of ethnic group, but relatively low numbers with 87% of students being White British
• 9.9% of students are eligible for FSM
• Proportion of pupils with SEN support or EHC plan is lower than national (EHCP – 26 (1.8%) below average; SEN support 119 (9%) well below average),
• We have students from 18 different categories of ethnic group, but relatively low numbers with 87% of students being White British
• 9.9% of students are eligible for FSM
School goals and ambitions
Our goals aim to create a supportive, healthy, and appreciative work environment, fostering staff wellbeing and professional growth.
o Review any new policies using the workload impact assessment
o Develop initiatives to support staff wellbeing and workload such as Stop Weeks
o Develop a staff wellbeing charter
o Encourage open discussions on menopause and mental health
o Create opportunities for Staff enrichment
o Create Downs Pulse surveys
o Promote the wellbeing meetings and whole staff wellbeing meetings to get everyone’s voice heard
o Create flexible working opportunities
o Highlight how to access the EAP
o Introduce coaching for professional growth
Review communication protocols
o Review any new policies using the workload impact assessment
o Develop initiatives to support staff wellbeing and workload such as Stop Weeks
o Develop a staff wellbeing charter
o Encourage open discussions on menopause and mental health
o Create opportunities for Staff enrichment
o Create Downs Pulse surveys
o Promote the wellbeing meetings and whole staff wellbeing meetings to get everyone’s voice heard
o Create flexible working opportunities
o Highlight how to access the EAP
o Introduce coaching for professional growth
Review communication protocols
Status
Pass
Benchmarks ref
Impact school context
All new policies are reviewed using the School Workload Assessment tool, fostering transparency. Stop Weeks and wellbeing sessions such as Menopause groups, morning yoga have improved workload balance. Our Staff Wellbeing Charter is live being a collaborative document between all staff. Downs Pulse surveys every full term ensure every voice is heard. Flexible working is widely recognised used through our policy, and StepLab coaching is now running with trained coaches across the school. Communication has improved with Microsoft Calendar and adapted bulletins. Our EAP is highly visible. introduced at induction, promoted in bulletins, displayed across school, and actively used by staff.
Date purchased
07/Nov/2024
School ref Id
2347
Validation reports