Willows Primary School

About Willows Primary School

Willows Primary School sends a clear signal to prospective parents through its admissions data: this is a school in high demand. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 159 applications for just 44 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 3.61, meaning nearly four families applied for every available spot. Of those, 39 were first-preference applications, and all 39 received offers. While the school does not publish a parent-view recommendation percentage, the sheer weight of applications — and the fact that every first-preference family secured a place — speaks volumes about its local reputation. Headteacher Rachel Ross leads a school of 388 pupils, just short of its 400-capacity, with nursery provision available for children from age three. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is low at 3.6%, well below the national average, which may reflect the demographic profile of the surrounding Trafford catchment.

Academically, Willows delivers solid Key Stage 2 results, though they sit slightly below the Trafford local authority average. In the 2023/24 academic year, 67% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the LA average of 71%. That places the school 41st out of 55 primary schools in Trafford, and in the 39th percentile nationally. Reading is a clear strength: 92% of pupils met the expected standard and 34% achieved a higher score, with an average scaled score of 108. Maths also performed well, with 87% at expected and 44% at the higher level, averaging 109. Writing was weaker, with 72% at expected and only 10% at the higher level. The school's most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in April 2024, confirmed it remains Good overall, with Good ratings for early years provision, leadership and management, and overall effectiveness. Its previous graded inspection in 2014 also rated it Good.

The school offers a practical range of facilities including an outdoor playground, a forest school area, a sensory room, an ICT suite, a dining hall and a chapel. Sports provision covers gymnastics, football, rounders and athletics, while extracurricular clubs include book club, gardening, choir, science club, drama and chess. For children with additional needs, Willows has SEND provision for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, speech, language and communication needs, social, emotional and mental health needs, physical disabilities, and other difficulties. The school is oversubscribed, so families applying will need to be aware of the high demand. It suits families who value a primary with strong reading outcomes, a forest school ethos, and a supportive SEND offer, all within a popular Trafford catchment.

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