Willowfield School, London

Ofsted's report card from its 20 January 2026 inspection grades Willowfield School on 6 areas: 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Across the school and in most subjects, pupils make steady progress from their starting points."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Over time, pupils' overall attendance has stayed close to national averages."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have a firm understanding of the quality of the curriculum and teaching."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have created an inclusive culture across the school."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders and governors review the school's work regularly."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school's personal development programme is well structured, comprehensive and meets statutory requirements."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that all teachers have high expectations of what pupils can achieve, so that across the subjects and year groups pupils can articulate their learning confidently and produce work of a consistently high standard".

In its own words: "You can access Willowfield School's latest Ofsted report by clicking the link below:"

From the headteacher's welcome: "Willowfield school exists to serve children . Children get one chance at education, and it is our responsibility and privilege to ensure the educational experience for all our pupils is rich and rewarding. Children come to Willowfield and experience an excellent curriculum, exceptional learning and brilliant pastoral care."

In 2026, pupils at Willowfield School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 43.5, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.7 in Waltham Forest and 47 across England.

42% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 48% in Waltham Forest and 47% in England.

That is down from 46.1 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.02: pupils made about average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 35.9, against 48.5 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 12.6 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 25 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 124 families put Willowfield School as their first choice and 459 named it as one of their preferences, for 200 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 secondary schools to Willowfield School are Eden Girls' School, Waltham Forest (0.6 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 64.2); Kelmscott School (0.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 37.5); Harris Academy Tottenham (1 mile, Outstanding, Attainment 8 49); and Walthamstow School for Girls (1.1 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 57.9).

Willowfield School's 2026 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

79 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Willowfield School (as of April 2026): 62% would recommend the school, 65% say their child is happy there and 44% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (76%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (44%).

Of the 168 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 89% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 28% to a further education college and 1% to an apprenticeship.

34.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 26.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (24%), Black (19%) and White British (17%).

The nearest railway station is Blackhorse Road Rail Station, about 130 metres away (roughly a 2-minute walk).

13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Blackhorse Road Station, 40 metres away.

In 2024/25, Willowfield School issued 86 suspensions, 8.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Willowfield School are St Patrick's Catholic Primary School (0.1 miles), Stoneydown Park School (0.1 miles), Coppermill Primary School (0.3 miles) and Mission Grove Primary School (0.5 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.