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The Willows Primary School Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

The Willows Primary School is an academy converter primary school in Ipswich, Suffolk , serving pupils aged 3-11, with 306 pupils, and a capacity of 420 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby primary schools below.

3-11

Age range

306

Pupils

420

Capacity

73%

Fill rate

Requires improvement

Ofsted 2024

The Willows Primary School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for The Willows Primary School?

The catchment area for The Willows Primary School is the geographic zone Suffolk uses to prioritise admissions when this primary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Suffolk publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, The Willows Primary School sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Suffolk. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Suffolk before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Suffolk catchment area documents →

The Willows Primary School: 420 places, 73% filled: places available

The Willows Primary School has a published admission number of 420 places. 306 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 73%. At 73% full, the school currently has headroom below its 420 place limit. Catchment distance criteria still apply when the school is oversubscribed, but at current demand levels, places have been available for applicants outside the immediate catchment area.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 55.2% of pupils at The Willows Primary School are eligible for free school meals, above the national average of around 24%. This reflects the school's role in a higher-deprivation area of Ipswich.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Suffolk publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Suffolk Council school admissions (official) →

The Willows Primary School: School Information

Full address
Downing Close, Ipswich, IP2 9ER
Local authority
Suffolk
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Primary
Age range
3-11 years
Free school meals
55.2% of pupils
DfE URN
144216

Other Primary Schools in Ipswich

If The Willows Primary School is oversubscribed, these primary schools in Ipswich are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest primary schools by distance

These are the primary schools closest to The Willows Primary School by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: The Willows Primary School

What is the catchment area for The Willows Primary School?

The catchment area for The Willows Primary School is the geographic zone Suffolk uses to prioritise admissions when this primary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Suffolk publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is The Willows Primary School oversubscribed?

The Willows Primary School has a capacity of 420 places and currently has 306 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Suffolk.

What is the admissions policy for The Willows Primary School?

Admission to The Willows Primary School is managed by Suffolk. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does The Willows Primary School cover?

The Willows Primary School is a primary school in Ipswich, Suffolk, serving pupils aged 3-11. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for The Willows Primary School?

The Willows Primary School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted in 2024. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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