Willowfield School “ Pupils enjoy learning.” Ofsted 2026
“ Pupils finish year 11 well prepared for their next steps.” Ofsted 2026
Welcome from the Headteacher It is my great pleasure to welcome you to our prospectus and introduce you to Willowfield School. • 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. They feel happy, are safe, and leave us ready to choose their futures. • We develop our children as kind, curious, respectful, conscientious and independent young people who are confident and eager to embrace challenge. Willowfield is very proud to have been serving our community; educating and caring for children for over 100 years. Willowfield is a happy, oversubscribed and financially secure school doing great work – as was so clearly identified in the January 2026 OFSTED inspection and as shown by our exam results. Such is our popularity that we have expanded and our recent building projects have now finished giving us even better facilities for our children. We are a mixed 11 to 16 comprehensive school within the London Borough of Waltham Forest. Willowfield is a truly inclusive and multicultural school. There are around 50 different languages spoken in the homes of our pupils. The school welcomes and celebrates this diversity that helps make us the school we are.
Teaching groups are mainly mixed attainment, with some setting in Mathematics and Science. The special educational needs of pupils are met mainly through quality first teaching and in-class support, although there is some extraction for intensive help with literacy and numeracy. Key Stage 3 lasts three years ensuring our young people have depth and breadth of experience before moving onto GCSE courses in year 10. At Key Stage 4, all pupils follow a humanities course (either History or Geography) in addition to the core subjects and choose a further 3 options from a wide range including Art, Astronomy, Business, Computing, Drama, Food, French, Media Studies, Music, Photography, Physical Education, Psychology, Religious Studies, Spanish, Sociology, Textiles and 3D Design. All children follow a comprehensive and diverse PSHE curriculum and are encouraged to attend our extensive extra-curricular programme. We have a wide range of trips/visits/experiences and clubs available to all pupils including overseas trips, residential trips, after school and breakfast clubs (every day) and a very full careers programme, cultural activities and end of year programme that every child experiences. We are proudly an Arts Mark Platinum school reflecting the rich and high quality offer available to all. Rebecca Linden Headteacher
“ Through their journey at Willowfield, our pupils are shaped by kindness, curiosity, independence, conscientiousness and respect, growing into individuals who are prepared to succeed and contribute positively to the world.”
WILLOWFIELD • 1
A safe and happy
learning community
“ The school feels calm, friendly and purposeful.” Ofsted 2026 Life at Willowfield is characterised by purposeful learning under-pinned by mutual respect. It is an environment where staff and pupils enjoy happy, harmonious and very productive relationships. This atmosphere is key to our success and stems from the great pastoral support and care every pupil receives, making them feel valued and nurtured.
2 • WILLOWFIELD
“ Leaders’ commitment to acting in pupils’ best interests is evident.” Ofsted 2026
A great place to
learn and thrive
“ The curriculum is thoughtfully planned to build pupils’ knowledge over time.” Ofsted 2026 We have the highest expectations of all pupils in all areas of their development and will not allow them to settle for ordinary. Great learning and teaching are at the heart of everything we do at Willowfield. In years 7, 8 and 9, the curriculum is planned to be diverse and inclusive, but also stretches and challenges pupils, enabling them to grow and develop as curious and confident learners – preparing them for the challenges ahead in Years 10 and 11. In years 10 and 11, pupils go onto study subjects related to their areas of strength, interest or possible future career pathways.
Our rich and relevant curriculum develops pupils as critical thinkers, powerful communicators, and confident, caring and active citizens. It explores cultures and perspectives, within and outside the classroom, on a personal, local, national, and global level. It challenges, supports, and inspires pupils, igniting their imagination, prompting awe and wonder, and catalysing critical thinking, creativity, and innovation, through collaborative dialogue, experimentation, problem-solving and discovery. We are proud of the young adults from Willowfield who leave us at the end of year 11. They go on to the next phase of their life into college, work and university as confident and successful young adults.
The Willowfield curriculum is based upon the fundamental principles of equality, inclusivity, diversity, democracy, and mutual support.
“ Teachers plan learning that consistently deepens pupils’ Within and across subjects and tutorial time, our curriculum provides pupils with powerful knowledge, knowledge and skills.” deep understanding, and effective skills to keep them safe and healthy, as well as engender a lifelong love of learning.
Ofsted 2026
“ Pupils with SEND, disadvantaged pupils or those facing other barriers, learn at least as well as their peers.” Ofsted 2026
WILLOWFIELD • 3
Great citizens and well-rounded young adults “ All pupils have many opportunities to participate in school life….take an active role in the school community.” Ofsted 2026 Enabling our pupils to achieve the best examination results they will need is key to our work, but not the only purpose of the curriculum and wider school experience. We aim to develop every learner holistically. We are committed to nurturing all our pupils into thoughtful and active citizens able to play a full part in the 21st century world they will be living and working in.
4 • WILLOWFIELD
“ Pupils share their views confidently.” Ofsted 2026
An inclusive, local
community school
“ Pupils get on very well with one another. They celebrate diversity and describe the school as a place where everyone feels they belong.” Ofsted 2026 We are proud to be a local community school that gives all our pupils the best possible start in life. Our inclusive ethos is characterised by a striking culture of mutual respect and support. Willowfield pupils are happy, effective learners who make great progress. We have strong partnerships with local schools and colleges and are involved in many community projects.
Pupils from all backgrounds and abilities are welcomed and flourish within a safe and caring environment at Willowfield. We use a wide range of information about our young people to plan learning experiences that closely meet their needs and excite them, and we listen to their views on our teaching and their learning, and act on these to continuously improve our provision.
“ Pupils engage confidently with themes such as equality, protected characteristics and ethical dilemmas, using the safe space provided to explore differing views respectfully.” Ofsted 2026
“ Leaders have created an inclusive culture across the school.” Ofsted 2026
WILLOWFIELD • 5
Great relationships We expect the very best in terms of courtesy and respect from our pupils and they rise to meet our high expectations. Life at Willowfield is characterised by calm and purposeful learning, under-pinned by mutual respect. It is an environment where staff and pupils enjoy happy, harmonious and trusting relationships. This atmosphere is key to our success and stems from the great support and care every pupil receives, making them feel valued, listened and cared for. We believe a school is about more than just qualifications and that a safe and happy learner is an effective and successful learner.
“ Pupils feels safe, included and able to learn successfully.” Ofsted 2026
6 • WILLOWFIELD
“ Leaders work effectively with families.” Ofsted 2026
“ Pupils form trusting relationships with staff.” Ofsted 2026
“ Leaders reduce barriers to learning and wellbeing through carefully considered support and effective adaptations.” Ofsted 2026 WILLOWFIELD • 7
Beyond
the classroom
“ Pupils share their views confidently.” Ofsted 2026 There is a broad and interesting extra-curricular programme on offer to all pupils. Pupils are encouraged to engage and explore, and our Artsmark Award reflects the range and quality of creative activities they can access. There are many opportunities to take on responsibilities and we have an active pupil leadership team that plays a real role in helping shape the direction of the school. The school is the local authority’s lead school for music. Our partnerships with parents and carers are key to the happiness and success of our pupils. We value highly the support we receive from our parents and carers, and pride ourselves on the work we do with them to keep their children safe, happy and achieving well.
8 • WILLOWFIELD
We celebrate success and ensure that parents and carers are kept informed about their child’s progress throughout their time with us. Sometimes pupils need some additional support to flourish and manage themselves effectively. We are committed to working closely with pupils and their families to develop strategies to help them fulfil their potential, overcoming any challenges to their happiness, learning and progress
“ Cultural appreciation is fostered.” Ofsted 2026
“ Through their journey at Willowfield, our pupils are shaped by kindness, curiosity, independence, conscientiousness and respect, growing into individuals who are prepared to succeed and contribute positively to the world.” WILLOWFIELD • 9
209 Blackhorse Road Walthamstow E17 6ND T 020 8527 4065 F 020 8353 4264 E school@willowfield-school.co.uk
www.willowfield-school.co.uk