SchoolScoresWillow Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed
Part of EXCEED LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Alston Road, Bessacarr, Doncaster, DN4 7EZ
01302 539249 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 18 October 2022.
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 | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
58 pupils in this year group.
79% — 16 points above the Doncaster average, and 17 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Doncaster | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 79% | 63% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 17% | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 90% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 86% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 90% | 75% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 109 | 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 Doncaster. 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 | 60 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 61 |
| Of those, offered a place | 59 (97%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 125 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
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 | Doncaster | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 100th highest of 108 state primary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 18% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 10.3% | 31.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 73rd highest of 108 state primary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 21% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.7% | 2.5%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 68th highest of 108 state primary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 36% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 12.4% | 15.1%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 22nd highest of 108 state primary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 70% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 22.2% | 16.6%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 15th lowest of 108 state primary schools in Doncaster. Lower than 87% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.7% | 5.1%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 18th lowest of 108 state primary schools in Doncaster. Lower than 79% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.1% | 13.2%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 36th lowest of 108 state primary schools in Doncaster. Lower than 68% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.2 | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 37th lowest of 108 state primary schools in Doncaster. Lower than 67% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.2% | 1.4% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 4th highest of 107 state primary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 98% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 27.8 | 22.0 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 7th highest of 107 state primary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 96% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 15.0 | 11.3 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 11th highest of 103 state primary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 91% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 31.3% | 12.5%* | 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
- Bessacarr Primary 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 75% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hatchell Wood Primary Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 38% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hawthorn Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 55% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Peter's Catholic Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015, before conversion), confirmed 2025 · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- Lakeside Primary Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 51% met expected standard (KS2)
- Pheasant Bank Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed, may be improving 2024 · 75% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Joseph's School, a Catholic Voluntary Academy 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2025 · 69% met expected standard (KS2)
- Tornedale Infant Academy 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023, before conversion)
- Rossington St Michael's CofE Primary School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Grange Lane Infant Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Willow Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Willow Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 18 October 2022.
How did Willow Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 79% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 17 points above the England average of 62%.
Is Willow Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 61 families put Willow Primary School as their first choice for 60 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 59 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 145935.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.