Whiston Willis Primary Academy, Prescot

In its own words: "At Whiston Willis Primary Academy, we are a safe, happy and inclusive community where everyone is valued, respected and celebrated. We embrace difference and promote equity, ensuring that every child feels a strong sense of belonging and has the support, opportunities and encouragement they need to thrive."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Academic excellence and social intelligence are at the heart of all that we do at Whiston Willis to develop aspirational life-long learners who are committed to their own self development to achieve excellence and be highly valued and respected future citizens of Whiston, Knowsley and beyond."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, basketball, yoga and Lego.

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care.

In 2025, 70% of Year 6 pupils at Whiston Willis Primary Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 74% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Knowsley and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 81% in reading and 77% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 54 families put Whiston Willis Primary Academy as their first choice and 138 named it as one of their preferences, for 59 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 3 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Whiston Willis Primary Academy are St Luke's Catholic Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 79% reading, 79% maths); Halsnead Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 84% reading, 70% maths); St Leo's and Southmead Catholic Primary School Serving the Community (0.4 miles, Good, 83% reading, 83% maths); and St Mary and St Paul's CofE Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 70% reading, 70% maths).

Whiston Willis Primary Academy's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Whiston Willis Primary Academy is one of 10 schools run by Wade Deacon Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 51% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

7.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 94 pupils (22.4%) received SEN support and 23 (5.5%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

Whiston Willis Primary Academy had 22 teachers in 2026, one for every 16 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Whiston Rail Station, about 260 metres away (roughly a 3-minute walk).

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Milton Close (w-bound), 130 metres away.

In 2024/25, Whiston Willis Primary Academy issued 6 suspensions, 1.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Whiston Willis Primary Academy are Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy (0.4 miles), The Prescot School (1.3 miles) and Rainhill High School (1.7 miles).