Willow Brook Primary School and Nursery, Colchester

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

Results rose from 50% in reading and 54% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 9 families put Willow Brook Primary School and Nursery as their first choice and 21 named it as one of their preferences, for 9 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Willow Brook Primary School and Nursery are Friars Grove Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 71% reading, 71% maths); Parsons Heath Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 66% reading, 59% maths); Roach Vale Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 73% reading, 70% maths); and St James the Great Church of England Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 79% reading, 70% maths).

Willow Brook Primary School and Nursery's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

Willow Brook Primary School and Nursery is one of 45 schools run by The Kemnal Academies Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 71% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

39.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 30.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (45%), Black (19%) and Asian (16%).

In 2026, 42 pupils (22.6%) received SEN support and 7 (3.8%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

Willow Brook Primary School and Nursery had 12 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Hythe (Essex) Rail Station, about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Goring Road West (adjacent), 290 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Willow Brook Primary School and Nursery 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 295 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Essex (97), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Willow Brook Primary School and Nursery issued 26 suspensions, 14.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The secondary schools closest to Willow Brook Primary School and Nursery are Colchester Academy (0.7 miles), The Gilberd School (1.3 miles), The Trinity School (1.3 miles) and St Helena School (1.5 miles).