The Forest School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 9 December 2025

Pupils blossom in this happy and welcoming school. Staff know all pupils well and understand their needs. The school has recently changed from being a single-sex boys’ school to a mixed school. Leaders are rightly proud of how successfully this transition has been managed. Girls have settled into the school extremely well and value how swiftly they have become included in all aspects of school life. All pupils benefit from a wide range of appropriate enrichment opportunities. Pupils enjoy learning and the broad range of subjects that are available to them. They have high aspirations and understand the importance of working hard. Pupils want to be successful in their studies and appreciate the thoughtful support they receive from staff to help them achieve well. Pupils develop particularly secure knowledge about how to keep themselves safe and healthy. They understand the importance of equality and are respectful of one another’s differences. Pupils have positive attitudes to their education. They attend school regularly and behave well. Pupils feel safe. They know that bullying is rare. They trust staff to manage any poor behaviour or unkindness effectively. As a result, pupils collaborate with one another harmoniously. Pupils are highly courteous in their interactions with staff and visitors. Pupils facing additional barriers to their learning are effectively supported. They progress well in their GCSE examinations and from their various starting points. They are typically ready for their next steps. Pupils receive valuable advice and guidance to help ensure that they understand the range of future pathways available to them. In the sixth form, students' achievement is less secure. Leaders recognise that there is further work to do in embedding the curriculum to ensure that students achieve as successfully in the sixth form as they do lower down the school.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should continue to embed improvements in the post-16 provision so that students consistently achieve well.
• Leaders should continue their work to embed consistently high-quality teaching across the curriculum.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)