SchoolScoresThe Willows Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed
Part of ORWELL MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Downing Close, Ipswich, IP2 9ER
01473 683178 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 13 February 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
29 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.
Ipswich comparisons use the 36 of its 62 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 26 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Ipswich | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 36th highest of 36 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ipswich. Higher than 1% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 93% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 36th highest of 36 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ipswich. Higher than 1% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 62% | 94% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 36th highest of 36 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ipswich. Higher than 0% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 38% | 89% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 15 parents whose child had been bullied 20th highest of 20 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ipswich. Higher than 4% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 27% | 59% | 50% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 24 parents who had raised a concern 34th highest of 34 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ipswich. Higher than 0% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 21% | 82% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 36th highest of 36 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ipswich. Higher than 0% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 24%said yes | 89% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Ipswich figures pool parents at the Ipswich schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
54 pupils in this year group.
35% — 24 points below the Suffolk average, and 27 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 35% | 59% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 6% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 54% | 73% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 50% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 50% | 71% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 100 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 100 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Suffolk. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 20 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 19 |
| Of those, offered a place | 19 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 35 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 62 state primary schools in Ipswich. Higher than 94% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 55.2% | 23.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 19th highest of 62 state primary schools in Ipswich. Higher than 62% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.6% | 3.2%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 8th highest of 62 state primary schools in Ipswich. Higher than 85% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 21.2% | 14.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 20th highest of 62 state primary schools in Ipswich. Higher than 71% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 22.9% | 12.6%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 54th lowest of 62 state primary schools in Ipswich. Lower than 10% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.0% | 5.2%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 57th lowest of 62 state primary schools in Ipswich. Lower than 10% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 22.0% | 12.1%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 57th lowest of 62 state primary schools in Ipswich. Lower than 4% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 11.4 | 5.1 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 56th lowest of 62 state primary schools in Ipswich. Lower than 3% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 4.9% | 1.9% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.65% | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 51st highest of 62 state primary schools in Ipswich. Higher than 10% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 15.7 | 19.8 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 55th highest of 62 state primary schools in Ipswich. Higher than 7% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 7.6 | 10.4 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 26th highest of 52 state primary schools in Ipswich. Higher than 58% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 14.7% | 15.0%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- St Mark's Catholic Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023, before conversion) · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- Halifax Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015, before conversion), confirmed 2025 · 72% met expected standard (KS2)
- Gusford Community Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 55% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Oaks Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2018), confirmed 2024 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sprites Primary Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hillside Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 2 needs attention · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ranelagh Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 23% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Ipswich 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 47% met expected standard (KS2)
- Handford Hall Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Cliff Lane Primary School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 74% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Willows Primary School's Ofsted rating?
The Willows Primary School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 13 February 2024.
How did The Willows Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 35% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 27 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend The Willows Primary School?
24% of the 29 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend The Willows Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Willows Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 19 families put The Willows Primary School as their first choice for 20 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 19 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 144216.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 1 January 2024 to 6 January 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.