Forest Park School
Ringwood Road, Totton, Southampton, SO40 8DZOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Forest Park School is a special school in Southampton for ages 2 to 19. It is one of the 600 schools in Hampshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2022.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 29 November 2022, report published 18 January 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 29 November 2022
Leaders have high expectations. They have created a happy, nurturing environment where 'children come first'. Relationships between staff and pupils are trusting and caring. Pupils are safe and feel safe. There is very occasional bullying, but staff deal with it straightaway. One pupil said, 'Our school entrance has magic doors. As soon as you walk in, you know that you belong here because everyone loves you for just who you are.' Pupils look forward to walks in the New Forest, where they learn about local habitats. They plant flowers to attract bees and encourage wildlife in the area. Older pupils develop their entrepreneurial skills by making and selling ornaments to fund their work in the school allotment. They cook healthy, tasty meals with the vegetables and salads that they grow. Pupils are actively involved in the life of the school community. For instance, they take part in the Remembrance Day service in the town and showcase their singing talents. Pupils regularly collect donations for the local food bank and charities they support. They enjoy visits from Southampton Football Club and trips to Winchester Cathedral. Pupils pursue their creative flair by learning to play a wide range of musical instruments.
What the school should improve
- In some foundation subjects, the curriculum does not set out what pupils should learn, or the order in which things should be taught. As a result, pupils do not achieve as well as they could. Leaders need to continue their work to ensure that the curriculum in all subjects is coherently planned and teachers' subject knowledge in these subjects is effective.
- Despite leaders' rigorous efforts to improve attendance, a small proportion of pupils do not attend school as often as they should. Therefore, they do not learn as well as they could, and they miss out on important experiences. Leaders should continue their work to improve the attendance of all pupils.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
16 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
147 pupils on roll, with places for 140
Schools near Forest Park School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| GLADE School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| The Cedar School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 0% met the expected standard |
| New Forest Alternative Provision | 3 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Rosewood Free School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Not published |
| The Polygon School | 4 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 2.4 |
School details
- School type
- Community special school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 2 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mr David Thomas
- Phone
- 02380864949
- Address
- Ringwood Road, Totton, Southampton, SO40 8DZ
- Local authority
- Hampshire
- URN
- 135823
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.