Skip to content
A free, independent guide for parents - updated each admissions cycle. 26,506 schools · England & Wales
catchment.school

Willow Bank School Catchment Area

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

Willow Bank School is a community special not applicable school in Newton-le-Willows, St. Helens , serving pupils aged 8-16, with 71 pupils, and a capacity of 65 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

8-16

Age range

71

Pupils

65

Capacity

109%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2016

Willow Bank School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Willow Bank School?

The catchment area for Willow Bank School is the geographic zone St. Helens uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable 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. St. Helens publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

The catchment area for Willow Bank School is set by St. Helens and reviewed annually. Children living within the catchment boundary receive priority consideration when applications exceed the number of available places.

Currently oversubscribed: 71 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 65 places. Living within the catchment area is especially important for this school.

Not getting a place? Learn how to appeal a school place →

Want the cut-off distance before you apply? Get an alert when St. Helens publishes the 2027 Willow Bank School numbers →

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

Find St. Helens catchment area documents →

Willow Bank School: at or above its 65 place limit

Willow Bank School has a published admission number of 65 places. 71 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 109%. The school is at or above its published limit of 65 places. St. Helens allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. The last-distance figure is likely to remain tight if demand holds at this level.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 64.8% of pupils at Willow Bank 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 Newton-le-Willows.

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

St. Helens 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. Find St. Helens school admissions →

Willow Bank School: School Information

Full address
Winwick Road, St Helens, Newton-le-Willows, WA12 8DE
Local authority
St. Helens
School type
Community special school
Phase of education
Not applicable
Age range
8-16 years
Free school meals
64.8% of pupils
DfE URN
104843

Other Not applicable Schools in Newton-le-Willows

If Willow Bank School is oversubscribed, these not applicable schools in Newton-le-Willows are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest not applicable schools by distance

These are the not applicable schools closest to Willow Bank 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: Willow Bank School

What is the catchment area for Willow Bank School?

The catchment area for Willow Bank School is the geographic zone St. Helens uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable 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. St. Helens publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Willow Bank School oversubscribed?

Yes, Willow Bank School currently has 71 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 65 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Willow Bank School?

Admission to Willow Bank School is managed by St. Helens. 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 Willow Bank School cover?

Willow Bank School is a not applicable school in Newton-le-Willows, St. Helens, serving pupils aged 8-16. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Willow Bank School?

Willow Bank School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2016. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

Get admissions updates by email

Join parents who get catchment boundary changes and key admissions dates - free, once per term.

No spam. Unsubscribe any time.