The Willows School

  • Special
  • Academy
  • Ages 4 to 11
Ofsted judgements: Outstanding

Stipularis Drive, Hayes, UB4 9QBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

The Willows School is a special school in Hillingdon for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 106 schools in Hillingdon. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in October 2024, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 8 October 2024, report published 14 November 2024

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 8 October 2024

This is a happy, friendly and exciting place to be. Many pupils have experienced disruptions to their learning in previous schools. Some pupils have been excluded in the past, and others have had little or no schooling. As a result of the dedication, expertise and kindness of all staff, pupils settle in really well. They build trusting relationships with staff. Pupils flourish at The Willows. Not only in their academic achievements but also in their personal development. This is because everyone has extremely high expectations for what pupils can achieve. Staff do whatever it takes to ensure pupils develop their knowledge across the curriculum, especially in English and mathematics. Pupils learn to enjoy school again and take pride in their successes. Staff get to know each pupil exceptionally well. Pupils said that staff know exactly how to help them when things get tricky. This helps pupils to calm down and get back on track with their learning. Pupils behave very well in lessons and around the school. They are safe and well cared for. Pupils' learning is enhanced in so many thoughtful and well-planned ways. For example, pupils love the enrichment classes which take place every Friday. These help them to develop their talents and interests in things like gardening, cooking and drumming.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

23 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths26%

26%, 36 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score96

96, 10 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score95

95, 10 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score98

98, 7 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

106 pupils on roll, with places for 80

Eligible for free school meals60.4%

60.4%, 33.9 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language5.7%

5.7%, 15.9 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support0%

0%, 14.8 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan100%

100%, 94 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near The Willows School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Grand Union Village School0.3 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
John Chilton School1 mileOfsted: Good0% met the expected standard
Belvue School1 mileReport card: Needs attention to expected standardNot published
Hedgewood School2 milesReport card: Strong standard to exceptional0% met the expected standard
The Sybil Elgar School2 milesOfsted: OutstandingNot published

School details

School type
Academy special converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
THE WILLOWS SCHOOL ACADEMY TRUST
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Headteacher
Malcolm Shaw
Address
Stipularis Drive, Hayes, UB4 9QB
Local authority
Hillingdon
URN
137652

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.