Forest Moor School
Menwith Hill Road, Darley, Harrogate, HG3 2RAOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Forest Moor School is a special school in Harrogate for ages 9 to 16. It is one of the 376 schools in North Yorkshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 5 June 2024, report published 2 July 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 5 June 2024
Pupils develop socially and academically at this much-improved special school. Pupils have a range of complex social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. Staff at the school understand these needs extremely well. Pupils experience learning and enrichment that are well matched to their individual profiles. Pupils are kept safe in this nurturing environment. Pupils learn a broad curriculum. Central to this are their SEMH targets. English and mathematics are prioritised. All pupils leave with a qualification in these important subjects. This helps pupils secure important next steps in learning and employment. Pupils place trust in the adults around them. Bullying can happen at the school. However, most pupils have confidence that staff will resolve it quickly. Pupils benefit from the school's clear five-step plans for resolving bullying or discriminatory behaviour incidents. These plans help ensure this behaviour does not spread. Staff ensure pupils learn from their experiences. Pupils appreciate the opportunities for outdoor learning that the school provides. They particularly enjoy caring for the school's animals. These include goats and chickens, as part of the developing school farm. Pupils enjoy taking part in activities during lunchtime with staff and with their peers. For example, focused sports or art help them increase or decrease energy levels. Pupils use the time to talk to staff about their day.
What the school should improve
- Pupils' attendance has been consistently low over time. Pupils miss out on important learning and experiences too often. The school should intensify its work with parents and carers, as well as other agencies, to rapidly improve engagement in school so pupils can achieve the very best outcomes.
- In some subjects, the school has not precisely set out the most important knowledge and skills that pupils need to acquire. This means that, in these subjects, learning is not focused enough to help pupils secure the subject knowledge they need to close gaps and support future learning. The school should continue its cycle of curriculum review to ensure that pupils have the knowledge they need to succeed well in all curriculum areas.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
6 pupils took the tests
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
24 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
128 pupils on roll, with places for 135
Schools near Forest Moor School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strive for Education | 8 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 0.5 |
| Springwater Academy | 9 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Green Meadows Academy | 10 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 0.9 |
| The Forest School | 11 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | Not published |
| Beechcliffe Special School | 12 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 1.0 |
School details
- School type
- Academy special sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- WELLSPRING ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 9 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mr Dave Roberts
- Phone
- 01423779232
- Address
- Menwith Hill Road, Darley, Harrogate, HG3 2RA
- Local authority
- North Yorkshire
- URN
- 148332
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.