The Forest School

About The Forest School

The Forest School is a Specialist College for Communication and Interaction. We provide a happy, caring, safe environment where pupils and staff feel valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. Our aim is to help young people become confident as individuals, responsible as citizens and successful as learners.

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Key Facts

Head/Principal Shona Crichton

Rating Breakdown

Based on published reviews

Safety & Security 4.7

Teaching Quality 4.7

Communication 4.7

Student Wellbeing 4.7

Facilities 5.0

Parent Survey

Official Ofsted Parent View data • 41 responses • 27.7% response rate

View on Ofsted

My child is happy at this school

97.6% positive 2.4% negative

My child feels safe at this school

95.1% positive 4.9% negative

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved

92.7% positive 4.9% negative

The school has high expectations for my child

78% positive 21.9% negative

My child does well at this school

95.1% positive 4.9% negative

I would recommend this school to another parent

Data from Ofsted Parent View as of September 2025. Based on 41 parent responses to the official Ofsted survey.

School Workforce

Teacher and staff information • 2024-2025

Note: These figures are estimated based on national averages. Actual school-level data not yet available.

20.0:1

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Good

7.4

Teachers (FTE)

Estimated workforce data based on GIAS enrollment and national average ratios. Academic year 2024-2025.

Secondary School Results (Key Stage 4)

Exam performance data • 2023-2024

Note: Progress 8 scores are not available for 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years due to COVID-19 impact on prior attainment data.

Additional Information

15 pupils in cohort

Data from DfE Performance Tables for academic year 2023-2024. Published January 2024. View full performance tables

Reviews 4

J

James T Unconfirmed

Parent Sep 20, 2022

4.0

"A Great School with Some Room for Improvement"

We're really pleased with the progress our son has made at The Forest School, but we do feel that the school could do more to engage with parents in terms of communication. That being said, the staff are great and the facilities are excellent. James T, Parent of Year 5 child

Safety & Wellbeing 5/5

Teaching & Learning 4/5

Communication 4/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 4/5

Facilities 5/5

Helpful

E

Emily W Unconfirmed

Parent Jun 15, 2022

5.0

"A Haven for Our Son"

We've been thrilled with the progress our son has made at The Forest School. The staff are so caring and supportive, and the facilities are really excellent. We love how they focus on inclusivity and helping each child reach their potential. Emily W, Parent of Year 9 child

Safety & Wellbeing 4/5

Teaching & Learning 5/5

Communication 5/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 5/5

Facilities 5/5

Helpful

S

Sarah B Unconfirmed

Parent Mar 12, 2022

5.0

"A School that Truly Cares"

Our daughter graduated from The Forest School a few years ago, but we still feel so grateful for the experience she had there. The school's commitment to the values of friendship, respect, and excellence really shone through in everything they did. Sarah B, Former parent

Safety & Wellbeing 5/5

Teaching & Learning 5/5

Communication 5/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 5/5

Facilities 5/5

Helpful

R

Rebecca S Unconfirmed

Parent Jan 25, 2022

5.0

"A School that Truly Understands Our Child"

Our son has been at The Forest School for several years now, and we've been blown away by the way the staff have been able to support him. They really get what it takes to help each child succeed, and they're always looking for new ways to do things better. Rebecca S, Parent of Year 8 child

Safety & Wellbeing 5/5

Teaching & Learning 5/5

Communication 5/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 5/5

Facilities 5/5

Helpful