The Downley School is part of the ODBST Multi Academy Trust.  Academies receive funding directly from the government and are run by an academy trust. The government uses the national funding formula (NFF) to work out the school's 'notional' core funding allocation. However, the school’s actual allocation is based on a local funding formula from the local authority (Buckinghamshire).

Academies also receive funding outside the general annual grant. These will include:

• Coronavirus-related funding
• Pupil premium funding
• PE and sport premium (primary only)
• High-needs top-up funding
• Capital funding