Downlands Community School vs Hurstpierpoint College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South East, England, 3.0 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Downlands Community School
Hassocks · Local authority secondary · Ages 11–16
1,250 students
Hurstpierpoint College
Hassocks · Independent all-through · Ages 4–19
1,311 students
| Measure | Downlands Community School Hassocks, South East | Hurstpierpoint College Hassocks, South East |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 90 Top 10% | 20 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #73 of 679 | #571 of 679 |
| National rank | #255 of 4,090 | #3520 of 4,090 |
| Sector | Local authority | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | All-through |
| Year range | Ages 11–16 | Ages 4–19 |
| Students | 1,250 | 1,311 |
| Pupils on roll | 1,250 | 1,311 |
| Free school meals | 8.2% | – |
| Capacity filled | 104.2% | 96.8% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | 57.3 | 11.8 |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | 66.2% | 0% |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | 85.7% | 0% |
| EBacc average points | 5.33 | 0.10 |
| A level points per entry | – | 46.7 |
| town | Hassocks | Hassocks |
| region | South East | South East |
| Website | downlands.w-sussex.sch.uk/ | www.hppc.co.uk |
The verdict
- •Downlands Community School scores higher on the Success Index (England) (90.2 vs 20.2).
- •Hurstpierpoint College is the larger school with 1,311 students compared with 1,250.
- •Downlands Community School is a local authority school while Hurstpierpoint College is a independent school, so fees and admission rules differ.
The Success Index (England) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Downlands Community School better than Hurstpierpoint College?
On the Success Index (England), Downlands Community School ranks higher (90.2 vs 20.2 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 Downlands Community School and Hurstpierpoint College?
About 3.0 km in a straight line, between Hassocks and Hassocks in South East.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Downlands Community School: 1,250. Hurstpierpoint College: 1,311. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Downlands Community School and Hurstpierpoint College rank in South East?
Downlands Community School is 73rd of 679 and Hurstpierpoint College is 571st of 679 among secondary schools in South East on the 2025 Success Index (England).