Willow Park CofE Primary School has closed (Tuesday 30 June 2026).
It became an academy, which has a new school record. The school at this address is now Willow Park CofE Primary School.
Willow Park CofE Primary School, Central
Willow Park CofE Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Central. It has a Church of England/United Reformed Church religious character. It was rated Inadequate at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in March 2024. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in April 2026 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 46th-highest of the 93 schools in Bristol, City of with published results, and 8,234th of 14,452 across England. It was 30% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- In line with England
- Ofsted
- Inadequate (2024)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Below England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Bristol, City of (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 8 Oct 2026
Willow Park CofE Primary School in detail
Results
In 2025, 75% of Year 6 pupils at Willow Park CofE Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 75% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 72% in Bristol, City of; and 77% and 75% across England.
Results rose from 53% in reading and 40% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Willow Park CofE Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 4 families put Willow Park CofE Primary School as their first choice and 16 named it as one of their preferences, for 4 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Willow Park CofE Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Willow Park CofE Primary School are Willow Park CofE Primary School (under 0.1 miles); Cathedral Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 80% reading, 70% maths); Ss Peter and Paul RC Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 93% reading, 89% maths); and Cotham Gardens Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 81% reading, 74% maths).
Each of them had higher 2025 results than Willow Park CofE Primary School.
Willow Park CofE Primary SchoolCathedral Primary SchoolSs Peter and Paul RC Primary SchoolCotham Gardens Primary School
Who goes there
57.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 67.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are Black (30%), Asian (20%) and other ethnic groups (14%).
Staffing
Willow Park CofE Primary School had 5 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Clifton Down Rail Station, about 1170 metres away (roughly a 15-minute walk).
25 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Horfield Road (s-bound), 150 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 1857 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 Bristol, City of (417), as is usual near a town centre.
Suspensions and exclusions
Willow Park CofE Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; DfE school workforce census; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 6 months agoOverall
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's April 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
The school has made excellent progress in teaching children to read and write well, with improved results showing many pupils catching up in their learning. Leaders have prioritised the right areas and staff are receiving high-quality training to raise expectations. The school is very welcoming to families, particularly those joining from overseas, and works hard to support good attendance and positive behaviour.
Key Strengths
- Teaching of phonics is now a strength with explicit curriculum and regular staff training -
- Significant improvement in key stage 2 outcomes in 2025, particularly in reading and writing -
- Effective use of additional funding for disadvantaged pupils to help them catch up -
- Strong attendance systems and positive pupil behaviour in lessons and at social times -
- Swift identification of pupils' learning gaps and effective catch-up support for those joining mid-year
Areas for Improvement
- Some older pupils still have gaps in knowledge from previous teaching weaknesses -
- Knowledge in wider curriculum subjects remains weaker than in English and maths -
- Sequencing of some wider subjects at key stage 2 needs to be more coherent -
- A few key stage 2 staff lack expertise to deliver phonics support to older pupils -
- Some targets for pupils with SEND lack precision and some adult interactions in early years don't develop children's language as intended
Safeguarding
Safeguarding was evaluated as effective at the previous graded inspection.
Willow Park CofE Primary School is in special measures following a graded inspection in March 2024. This April 2026 monitoring inspection shows the school has made significant progress in addressing weaknesses, particularly in reading and writing, though work remains to improve the wider curriculum and support for older pupils.
At a Glance
57.1%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 53% to 75% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 40% to 75% (2024 to 2025). Writing has improved from 33% to 63% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
18.7
Avg class size
16.5
KS2
3
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Willow Park CofE Primary School
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near Willow Park CofE Primary School.
- Minor To Major @ Bristol Grammar School440m away · Not yet graded
- Shine @ Cathedral Primary620m away · Not yet graded
- Sparks Film School Bristol Central790m away · Not yet graded
- Shine @ Cotham Gardens990m away · Not yet graded
Term dates
Willow Park CofE Primary School is a voluntary controlled school, so its term dates are set by Bristol, City of. Training (INSET) days, when pupils are not in school, vary by school: check the school's own calendar.
2026 to 2027
- Autumn term: Thursday 3 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026)
- Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027)
- Summer term: Monday 12 April to Friday 23 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027)
2027 to 2028
- Autumn term: Wednesday 1 September to Friday 17 December 2027 (half term Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2027)
- Spring term: Tuesday 4 January to Friday 31 March 2028 (half term Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2028)
- Summer term: Tuesday 18 April to Friday 21 July 2028 (half term Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June 2028)
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Willow Park CofE Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Willow Park CofE Primary School is in Bristol, City of; for families living there:
- Bristol, City of's school travel policy: Home to school travel policy
- How to apply: Apply online for home school travel support
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Willow Park CofE Primary School
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
30%
Available places
64 pupils
210 places
146 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Central
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Central
Across Bristol, City of council
Places available
5,210
Applications
4,287
Got 1st preference
92.0%
Got preferred school
99.1%
All primary applications across Bristol, City of council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(3)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
7
SEN Support
2
EHC Plans
16.1%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
56
Total Pupils
19
Boys
37
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
5
Teachers
13.8:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£38,777
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£8,445
Per pupil
£705k
Total funding
£52k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
6.9%
Overall absence
25.4%
Persistent absence
71
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Willow Park CofE Primary School
What are SATs results like at Willow Park CofE Primary School?
Of the pupils at Willow Park CofE Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 75% reached the expected standard in reading and 75% did so in maths.
What is Willow Park CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Willow Park CofE Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in April 2026, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in March 2024, it was rated Inadequate.
What is the catchment area for Willow Park CofE Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Willow Park CofE Primary School is oversubscribed, Bristol, City of allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Willow Park CofE Primary School?
Willow Park CofE Primary School was not full in 2025: it ran at 30% of its 210 places.
How big are the classes at Willow Park CofE Primary School?
Classes at Willow Park CofE Primary School average 18.7 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Willow Park CofE Primary School?
Willow Park CofE Primary School has around 56 pupils on roll. 57% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Willow Park CofE Primary School?
6.9% of sessions were missed at Willow Park CofE Primary School in 2024/25. 25.4% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Willow Park CofE Primary School?
Apply through Bristol, City of's coordinated admissions process, naming Willow Park CofE Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
Does Willow Park CofE Primary School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists 4 out-of-school clubs within a kilometre of Willow Park CofE Primary School: Minor To Major @ Bristol Grammar School (440m away, registered, not yet graded), Shine @ Cathedral Primary (620m away, registered, not yet graded) and Sparks Film School Bristol Central (790m away, registered, not yet graded). The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
What are Willow Park CofE Primary School's term dates?
Willow Park CofE Primary School is a voluntary controlled school, so its term dates are set by Bristol, City of. In 2026 to 2027: Autumn term: Thursday 3 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026); Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027); Summer term: Monday 12 April to Friday 23 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027). In 2027 to 2028: Autumn term: Wednesday 1 September to Friday 17 December 2027 (half term Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2027); Spring term: Tuesday 4 January to Friday 31 March 2028 (half term Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2028); Summer term: Tuesday 18 April to Friday 21 July 2028 (half term Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June 2028).
Where is Willow Park CofE Primary School?
Willow Park CofE Primary School is at Park Lane, St Michael's Hill, Central, BS2 8BE.
Source: Bristol, City of term dates