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School · SpecialiSource and licenceOfficial record from Get Information about Schools (DfE). Results, attendance, pupil numbers, finance and inspection outcomes are from the Department for Education and Ofsted, as published.Governor records: Get Information about Schools, as at 25 October 2026.Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.Governance Register calculates the connections.How we handle data

Downs View Special School

Community special school in Brighton (Brighton and Hove).

Pupils
224
on roll
Ofsted
Ungraded inspection
inspected Jun 2025
Attendance rate
89.8%
2024/25 academic year
Pupil : Teacher
6.7
2025/26
Eligible for free school meals
58.5%
school census 15/01/2026
SEN support
0.0%
2025/26
Capacity
100%
224 / 223 pupils
register figure (GIAS)
Teacher turnover
7.4%
2024/25

Location

iSchool location from Get Information about Schools. Nearby schools are coloured by phase. Open Map+ for a full-screen map with neighbourhood deprivation (England only).

About

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.

In the school’s own words, from the school website.

Enrichment

1 activityiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.
  • Forest School

Key facts

URN
114680
Type
Community special school
Phase
Not applicable
Ages
3 to 19
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
Has a sixth form
Nursery
No Nursery Classes
Local authority
Brighton and Hove
Constituency
Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven
Setting
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Governing body (6 current, 4 former)

Special schools governing body.

Governors

NameRoleHow appointedTerm
Ms Alice DwyerGovernorElected by parentssince 2025 · until 2029
Mr Jack CassidyGovernorElected by parentssince 2025 · until 2029
Ms Sam ParrottGovernorNominated by LA and appointed by GBsince 2025 · until 2029
Mr Joe ParvinGovernorAppointed by GB/boardsince 2024 · until 2028
Mr Chris FisherGovernorElected by school staffsince 2024 · until 2028
Ms Vanessa HickeyGovernorEx-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principalsince 2020
Mr Michael Waller FormerGovernorAppointed by GB/boardsince 2024 · term ended 2026
Mr Arnie Strong FormerGovernorAppointed by GB/boardsince 2024 · term ended 2025
Ms Sue Dowling FormerGovernorAppointed by GB/boardsince 2022 · term ended 2026
Ms Jacqui Shepherd FormerGovernorAppointed by GB/boardsince 2017 · term ended 2026

Source: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools (governance records, as at 25 October 2026). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Names are shown as published; there are no addresses or contact details. Current and former are worked out from term end dates when the page loads. Object or ask for removal · Report an issue with this record