The Willows Primary School, Basildon

In its own words: "The Willows Primary School & Nursery Church Road Basildon Essex SS14 2EX Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly."

From the headteacher's welcome: "At The Willows, we are proud of our friendly and family atmosphere where we get to know each child whilst fostering a sense of community responsibility. Our school values underpin everything we do, providing a safe, supportive and encouraging environment in which we recognise each unique individual."

In 2025, 80% of Year 6 pupils at The Willows Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 82% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 76% in Essex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 70% in reading and 75% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 78 families put The Willows Primary School as their first choice and 146 named it as one of their preferences, for 82 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to The Willows Primary School are Whitmore Primary School and Nursery (0.5 miles, Good, 70% reading, 71% maths); Fairhouse Community Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 74% reading, 76% maths); Ghyllgrove Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 67% reading, 75% maths); and Cherry Tree Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 55% reading, 53% maths).

The Willows Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

The Willows Primary School is one of 11 schools run by Berlesduna Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 60% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

31 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about The Willows Primary School (as of September 2025): 65% would recommend the school, 77% say their child is happy there and 53% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (81%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (53%).

In 2026, 61 pupils (9.4%) received SEN support and 54 (8.3%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is autism.

The nearest railway station is Basildon Rail Station, about 1 mile away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Glebe Field (adjacent), 220 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood The Willows Primary School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 445 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and public order offences. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Essex (97), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, The Willows Primary School issued 50 suspensions, 7.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to The Willows Primary School are De La Salle School (0.2 miles), The Basildon Lower Academy (0.9 miles), Harris Academy Kingswood (1.2 miles) and The Basildon Upper Academy (1.6 miles).