Getting a Reception place in 2026
3 places left
Last year, Willow Primary Academy did not fill its Reception places: 3 of 30 were still free after offer day, so distance did not decide who got in.
30places
22families put it first
37listed it at all
Year by year since 2021
More about how places were given
30 Reception places for September 2026; 27 offered on national offer day.
22 families put it first; 37 listed it as any preference.
3 spare places after offers in 2026.
Distances change every year. Looked-after children, siblings, catchment and faith can come before distance. Check the admissions policy before you apply.
Places offered, September 2026 Reception entry, Gloucestershire County Council. Earlier years: allocation-day tables, Gloucestershire County Council. What this means
Closing date for Reception and junior applications: Midnight, 15 January 2027. Key dates
In short.
Worth knowing
- It had spare places after offer day last year.
- SATs results are in the lowest 10% of Gloucestershire primaries.
- Pupils miss more lessons than at 9 in 10 Gloucestershire primaries.
SATs: reading, writing and maths
29%
▼ Lower than typical (61%)
Reading, 2025
45%
▼ Lower than typical (80%)
Writing, 2025
48%
▼ Lower than typical (74%)
Maths, 2025
30%
▼ Lower than typical (77%)
Ofsted
Good
Full inspection, 2024
Class size
25
▼ Lower than typical (26)
Lessons missed
8.9%
▲ Higher than typical (4.7%)
Children per teacher
15.3
▼ Lower than typical (19.7)
Typical is the middle school when all 243 Gloucestershire primaries are lined up, half above and half below. Tap a box for the detail.
How places are given.
This school sets its own admission rules. If more families apply than there are places, it uses the order in its policy, which can include brothers and sisters, children of staff, faith or a catchment area.
Read the school's admission rules for September 2027 (PDF)
Free school transport. If this is your nearest suitable school and the walking route is more than 2 miles (children under 8) or 3 miles (8 and over), the council usually provides free transport. Families on lower incomes can get help over shorter distances. School transport
Visit the school.
We haven't found published open day dates for this school. Most primary schools are happy to show families round between November and January: check the school's website or call 01452526442 to arrange a visit. See every open day we know about.
SATs results.
−26
26 fewer children in every 100 meet the expected level than at schools in England with similar pupils. Similar pupils means a similar share from lower-income families (61% here). About 55% would be expected.
Met the expected level, each year
Each year is a different group of pupils.
Where it ranks in Gloucestershire
Positions are among Gloucestershire state primary and junior schools with a published figure. 1st means the highest results. Typical is the school in the middle when they are lined up from highest to lowest. Jargon buster.
Key stage 2 results 2024/25 and 3-year average 2023 to 2025 (revised).
Ofsted.
Ofsted
Good
Full inspection, 2024
“Willow Primary Academy is a caring and inclusive school. Many children start in Reception Year below what would typically be expected for their age. However, as a result of a well-thought-out curriculum and high expectations, children get off to a flying start. Children learn the school values of ‘PRIDE’ as soon as they start in Reception. […]”
Read the full report (PDF) · Ofsted, Open Government Licence.
What parents told Ofsted.
Not enough parents filled in Ofsted's Parent View survey for this school to publish results. Ofsted only publishes a school's results once 10 or more parents have answered (November 2025 to September 2026).
See this school on Ofsted Parent View, or add your own views if your child goes there.
Day to day.
Pupils
Attendance and behaviour
Teachers and money
Behaviour policies differ between schools, so compare suspensions with care. Pupils and staff: school census and workforce census, Department for Education.
Questions parents ask.
How close do you need to live to get a place at Willow Primary Academy?
Last year, Willow Primary Academy did not fill its Reception places: 3 of 30 were still free after offer day, so distance did not decide who got in. Year by year since 2021: 2021: not full: everyone who applied got in; 2022: not full: everyone who applied got in; 2023: not full: everyone who applied got in; 2024: not full: everyone who applied got in; 2025: not full: everyone who applied got in; 2026: not full: everyone who applied got in. Distances change every year, and children in priority groups (such as looked-after children and brothers or sisters of current pupils) can get places before distance is used.
How many families applied to Willow Primary Academy?
For September 2026 Reception entry, 22 families put Willow Primary Academy as their first choice and 37 listed it as one of their choices, for 30 places. (Gloucestershire County Council)
What are Willow Primary Academy's SATs results?
Over the three years 2023 to 2025, 29% of Year 6 children at Willow Primary Academy met the expected level in reading, writing and maths. (Department for Education, key stage 2 results)
What did Ofsted say about Willow Primary Academy?
Rated Good by Ofsted at its last full inspection (23 January 2024).
How do I apply for a place at Willow Primary Academy?
You apply to your home council, not to the school. If you live in Gloucestershire, that is Gloucestershire County Council. For September 2027 entry, apply by midnight, 15 January 2027. Offers are sent on 16 April 2027.
Contact and nearby.
Evenlode Road, Tuffley, Gloucester, GL4 0JY
Head teacher: Headteacher Rachel Bradley-McKay
Run by an academy trust: Sand Academies Trust
Nearby primary schools
Spotted something wrong on this page? Tell us
This is a guide, not an admissions decision. Figures come from the Department for Education, Ofsted and Gloucestershire County Council and were last updated 7 November 2026. Always check the school's admissions policy and the council's admissions pages before applying. How admissions work