Classpot

Willow Tree Primary School

St. Helens, WA9 4LZPrimaryAges 3–11MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Requires Improvement
Jul 2022
KS2 Results
No data
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
11 1st-choice / 11 places
Ranking
Not ranked

About Willow Tree Primary School

Willow Tree Primary School in St. Helens received a Requires Improvement rating from Ofsted in its most recent graded inspection in 2022, a downgrade from the Good rating it had held in its previous inspection back in 2011. The inspection report shows a mixed picture: behaviour and attitudes, and personal development, were both rated Good, but the quality of education, leadership and management, and early years provision all require improvement. With 184 pupils on roll against a capacity of 259, the school is significantly under-subscribed, yet it was oversubscribed for 2025/26 reception places, receiving 19 applications for 11 places and offering first preference to all 11 who applied. The school serves a community with high levels of disadvantage — 42.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range3 to 11 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressWillow Tree Avenue, Sutton Leach, St Helens, St. Helens, WA9 4LZ
HeadteacherMichelle Slingsby
Local AuthoritySt. Helens
Number of Pupils184
Free School Meals (FSM)42.6%
School Capacity184 / 259 (71% full)
Nursery ClassesYes

Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

5 Jul 2022
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Requires improvement
Early Years Provision
Requires improvement

Source: Ofsted, 21 Sept 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

7
LibraryMusic RoomsForest SchoolPlaying FieldsSports HallDining HallChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

8

Sports

RoundersTennisFootballCricket

Clubs & Activities

ChoirChessCodingGardening

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageLearning Difficulty

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:55 – 15:15

Breakfast club

07:45-08:55

After-school care

15:15-17:45

Source: willowtree.st-helens.sch.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Willow Tree Primary School

Willow Tree Primary School has been rated "Requires Improvement" by Ofsted. This means the school is not yet good, but inspectors believe it can improve with the right support and changes.