UKSchoolSearch
OpenPrimaryOfsted: Requires improvementURN 144216

The Willows Primary School

Academy converter · Ipswich · IP2 9ER

Ages 4–11 · 259 pupils · Suffolk

School website

Ofsted

Requires improvement

KS2 expected (RWM)

28%

Overall absence

8.9%

Admissions demand

0.92 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Requires improvement

Inspection date

2024-02-13

Overall effectiveness
Requires improvement
Quality of education
Requires improvement
Behaviour and attitudes
Requires improvement
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Requires improvement
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)28%
Higher standard (RWM)4%
Avg scaled score — reading
101.0
Avg scaled score — maths
98.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
98.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence8.9%
Persistent absence (10%+)33.0%
Unauthorised3.6%
Authorised absence
5.3%
Severe absence (50%+)
3.5%
Enrolments in measure
345

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for primary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.92 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

23

Places offered

25

1st-preference offers

23

Total preferences (any rank)
42
Preferred offers (top 3)
25
Applications from outside LA
0
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill62%

259 pupils · 420 places

Pupils on roll
259
Boys / girls
120 / 139
School capacity
420
Capacity fill
259 / 420 (62%)
Free school meals
60.6%
FSM pupils
157
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 4–11

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: ORWELL MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Academy trust
ORWELL MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Sponsor
Orwell Multi Academy Trust
Headteacher
Mrs Kelly Head

Location

Address
Downing Close
Postcode
IP2 9ER
Town
Ipswich
County
Suffolk
Local authority
Suffolk
District
Ipswich
Constituency
Ipswich
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (primary), Ages 4–11, in Ipswich, Suffolk, 259 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy. Free school meals: 60.6%.

Open schools in Ipswich
99
Primary schools in Ipswich
62
Academies among open schools in Ipswich
63% (62)
Open schools in IP2
12
Primary in IP2
8
Open schools in Suffolk LA
366
Primary in Suffolk LA
253

Nearby primary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in IpswichNear IP2

  • Halifax Primary School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Primary

    Ipswich · IP2 8PY · Suffolk

    Ages 4–11

    • KS273%
    • Absence5.3%
    • FSM25.2%
    • Demand0.98

    0.5 miles away

  • Gusford Community Primary School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Ipswich · IP2 9LQ · Suffolk

    Ages 4–11

    • KS255%
    • Absence5.7%
    • FSM33.2%
    • Demand0.90

    0.6 miles away

  • The Oaks Primary School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Primary

    Ipswich · IP2 0NR · Suffolk

    Ages 3–11

    • KS265%
    • Absence4.6%
    • FSM33.1%
    • Demand1.39

    0.6 miles away

  • Sprites Primary Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Ipswich · IP2 0SA · Suffolk

    Ages 4–11

    • KS268%
    • Absence5.1%
    • FSM28.1%
    • Demand0.98

    0.9 miles away

  • Hillside Primary School

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Ipswich · IP2 8NU · Suffolk

    Ages 3–11

    • KS249%
    • Absence7.8%
    • FSM46.9%
    • Demand0.94

    0.9 miles away

  • Ranelagh Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Ipswich · IP2 0AN · Suffolk

    Ages 3–11

    • KS219%
    • Absence7.7%
    • FSM34.3%
    • Demand0.90

    1.0 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Kelly Head
Telephone
01473683178
Website
https://www.thewillows.omat.org.uk/

Official links