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OpenOfsted: Needs attentionURN 104843

Willow Bank School

Community special school · Newton-le-Willows · WA12 8DE

Ages 8–16 · 70 pupils · St. Helens

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

Attainment 8

7.6

Overall absence

25.0%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-05-12

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourNeeds attention
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
  • Leadership and governanceExpected standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

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

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-2.01
−20+2
Attainment 87.6
English & maths grade 5+0%
English & maths grade 4+0%
EBacc entry0%

EBacc APS: 0.6

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)0%
Higher standard (RWM)0%
Avg scaled score — reading
99.0
Avg scaled score — maths
91.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence25.0%
Persistent absence (10%+)63.2%
Unauthorised17.4%
Authorised absence
7.7%
Severe absence (50%+)
23.5%
Enrolments in measure
68

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill108%

70 pupils · 65 places

Pupils on roll
70
Boys / girls
59 / 11
School capacity
65
Capacity fill
70 / 65 (108%)
Free school meals
70%
FSM pupils
49
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community special school

Age range

Ages 8–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

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

School characteristics

Governance
Community special school
Headteacher
Mrs Nicola Laughton

Location

Address
Winwick Road, St Helens
Postcode
WA12 8DE
Town
Newton-le-Willows
County
Merseyside
Local authority
St. Helens
District
St. Helens
Constituency
St Helens North
Urban/rural
Smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health

Local context

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

Mixed community special school, Ages 8–16, in Newton-le-Willows, St. Helens, 70 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: special school. Free school meals: 70%. SEN provision includes: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health.

Open schools in Newton-le-Willows
9
Academies among open schools in Newton-le-Willows
33% (3)
Open schools in WA12
11
Open schools in St. Helens LA
80

Nearby schools

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

Compare with theseAll in Newton-le-WillowsNear WA12

  • Lyme Community Primary School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Community school · Primary

    Newton-le-Willows · WA12 9HD · St. Helens

    Ages 3–11

    • KS240%
    • Absence6.5%
    • FSM36.2%

    0.5 miles away

  • St Mary's Catholic Junior Academy

    Ofsted: Requires improvement

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Newton-le-Willows · WA12 9QQ · St. Helens

    Ages 7–11

    • Absence7.1%
    • FSM21.0%

    1.0 miles away

  • Grange Valley Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Outstanding

    Community school · Primary

    St Helens · WA11 0XQ · St. Helens

    Ages 2–11

    • KS273%
    • Absence5.0%
    • FSM14.4%

    1.0 miles away

  • Wargrave CofE Primary School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Voluntary controlled school · Primary

    Newton-le-Willows · WA12 8QL · St. Helens

    Ages 2–11

    • KS238%
    • Absence7.2%
    • FSM35.9%

    1.1 miles away

  • St Mary's Catholic Infant Academy

    Ofsted: Requires improvement

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    St Helens · WA12 9RX · St. Helens

    Ages 3–7

    • Absence4.7%
    • FSM12.7%

    1.2 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Nicola Laughton
Telephone
01744678745
Website
http://www.willowbank.st-helens.sch.uk

Official links