Downe House vs Kennet School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in South East, England, 4.3 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Downe House
Thatcham · Independent secondary · Ages 11–18
535 students
Kennet School
Thatcham · Academy secondary · Ages 11–18
1,824 students
| Measure | Downe House Thatcham, South East | Kennet School Thatcham, South East |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 21 Lower 50% | 62 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #555 of 679 | #261 of 679 |
| National rank | #3450 of 4,090 | #1368 of 4,090 |
| Sector | Independent | Academy |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | Ages 11–18 | Ages 11–18 |
| Students | 535 | 1,824 |
| Pupils on roll | 535 | 1,824 |
| Free school meals | – | 17% |
| Capacity filled | 87.7% | 97% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | 18.6 | 46.5 |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | 0% | 45.6% |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | 0% | 65.9% |
| EBacc average points | 1.36 | 4.16 |
| A level points per entry | 45.8 | 35.3 |
| town | Thatcham | Thatcham |
| region | South East | South East |
| Website | – | www.kennetschool.co.uk |
The verdict
- •Kennet School scores higher on the Success Index (England) (62.3 vs 21.2).
- •Kennet School is the larger school with 1,824 students compared with 535.
- •Downe House is a independent school while Kennet School is a academy school, so fees and admission rules differ.
- •Downe House is girls and Kennet School is co-educational.
The Success Index (England) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Centres across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA and ACT
Frequently asked questions
Is Downe House better than Kennet School?
On the Success Index (England), Kennet School ranks higher (62.3 vs 21.2 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Downe House and Kennet School?
About 4.3 km in a straight line, between Thatcham and Thatcham in South East.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Downe House: 535. Kennet School: 1,824. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Downe House and Kennet School rank in South East?
Downe House is 555th of 679 and Kennet School is 261st of 679 among secondary schools in South East on the 2025 Success Index (England).