Willow Tree Primary School
Bedford Close, Huyton, Liverpool, L36 1XHOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Willow Tree Primary School is a primary school in Liverpool for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 62 schools in Knowsley. It ranks 136th of 171 primary schools in Liverpool. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 27 June 2023, report published 20 September 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 27 June 2023
The school's motto, 'Small school, big heart', is evident in everything Willow Tree Primary does for its pupils. Pupils are polite and friendly to visitors. They are keen to share their insights into life at school. Leaders and staff have an excellent understanding of the school community. They are ambitious for their pupils. All pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are proud of their school. Pupils enjoy school, and they say that they feel safe. Parents and carers are unanimous in their praise of leaders and staff. Staff promote the personal development of pupils well. They provide activity residentials, where pupils face new challenges, such as cooking, canoeing and climbing. There are regular visits to local museums, parks and the beach. Pupils take part in concerts and learn about democracy through work on the school council, and they are encouraged to speak out. Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. They are attentive and keen to learn. In assemblies, they listen well to visiting speakers, and they answer questions politely. Lunchtimes are calm, and pupils enjoy the choice of healthy meals provided. Children in the Reception Year get off to a great start in reading. They enjoy the routine of their reading lessons and are making strong progress through the reading curriculum. Children discuss with confidence what they are learning in their expansive early years curriculum, such as why a walrus needs blubber.
What the school should improve
- Some younger pupils do not form their letters correctly. They are not given enough practice to learn to print their letters. Older pupils do not write as legibly as they should as they progress through the school. This hinders how well pupils write fluently and with speed. Leaders and staff should work together to agree on how to improve pupils' handwriting.
- The rates of attendance of some pupils are not as high as they should be. This prevents these pupils from experiencing all that the school offers. Leaders should continue to work with these pupils to ensure that they attend school more regularly.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
16 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
176 pupils on roll, with places for 201
Schools near Willow Tree Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Joseph's Catholic Primary School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 83% met the expected standard |
| St Gabriel's CofE Primary School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 71% met the expected standard |
| St Aidan's Catholic Primary School | 0.6 miles | Report card: Needs attention to strong standard | 48% met the expected standard |
| Sylvester Primary Academy | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 58% met the expected standard |
| Halsnead Primary School | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Good | 66% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- VANTAGE CE ACADEMIES TRUST
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Emma Riley
- Phone
- 01514778190
- Address
- Bedford Close, Huyton, Liverpool, L36 1XH
- Local authority
- Knowsley
- URN
- 146848
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.