Willow Brook Primary School and Nursery
Barnardiston Road, Colchester, CO4 0DTOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Willow Brook Primary School and Nursery is a primary school in Colchester for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. It ranks 60th of 69 primary schools in Colchester. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2022.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 29 November 2022, report published 18 January 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 29 November 2022
Willow Brook is at the heart of the local community. Pupils enjoy coming to school. They feel happy and safe because adults are caring and kind, and know pupils as individuals. Adults care deeply about pupils. This means they are well looked after, and their social and emotional needs are well met. The newly revised curriculum helps pupils learn and remember more. Pupils say lessons have become more interesting. They enjoy having to think harder and are proud of how much they know about different subjects. Adults expect pupils to behave well. Pupils' positive behaviour means the school is a calm and purposeful place. Typically, they get on well with one another and enjoy spending time with their friends. Although bullying is rare, if it happens, adults deal with it quickly. This is also the case if friends fall out with each other. Pupils are proud to be members of the 'house' teams. They enjoy working together to earn weekly rewards for their houses as recognition for their behaviour and attitude towards their work.
What the school should improve
- Changes to the curriculum in some subjects are still in their early stages. Leaders need to ensure that all teachers receive the appropriate training and support to be able to deliver all aspects of the curriculum equally well and to continue to improve pupils' achievement.
- As a result of historic weaknesses in the curriculum that no longer remain, some pupils have gaps in their knowledge in some subjects. Leaders should ensure they support teachers to clearly identify these gaps and provide appropriate support and adaptations to help pupils learn the important knowledge they have missed.
- The chances pupils receive to experience wider opportunities such as extra- curricular activities, trips and taking on responsibilities in school have been limited. Leaders should ensure they fully implement their plans to broaden the experiences pupils receive.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
30 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
186 pupils on roll, with places for 210
Schools near Willow Brook Primary School and Nursery
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friars Grove Primary School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 59% met the expected standard |
| Parsons Heath Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 47% met the expected standard |
| Roach Vale Primary School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 57% met the expected standard |
| St James the Great Church of England Primary School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 48% met the expected standard |
| Hazelmere Infant School and Nursery | 0.7 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- THE KEMNAL ACADEMIES TRUST
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Lynne Kapovic
- Phone
- 01206864375
- Address
- Barnardiston Road, Colchester, CO4 0DT
- Local authority
- Essex
- URN
- 141195
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.