Forest Oak School

Forest Oak School has undergone an urgent inspection primarily focusing on the effectiveness of its safeguarding arrangements, following concerns raised with Ofsted. The inspection found that the school has been proactive in addressing safeguarding measures, reflecting a commitment to the safety and well-being of its pupils. Staff have received enhanced training, resulting in improved reporting mechanisms and a thorough approach to managing concerns about pupils’ safety. The school also extends support to families and has shown a focus on empowering pupils through its personal, social, health, and economic curriculum.

Strengths

• Effective safeguarding arrangements with prompt action on concerns.
• Thorough record-keeping summarizing actions taken for student safety.
• Well designed personal, social, health and economic curriculum.
• Strong focus on training for staff regarding pupil safety.
• Supportive measures for pupils' mental health and well-being.

Areas for Improvement

• Some staff feel their views are not listened to, affecting morale.
• Lack of clear protocols for staff access between two schools sharing the same premises.

In 2024–25 pupils at Forest Oak School attended 84.7% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 44.8% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 3.6% of pupils at Forest Oak School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Forest Oak School had 10.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 9.3% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 Forest Oak School had 215 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2023–24 Forest Oak School received £16,542 and spent £18,270 for each of its 181 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £69,000 (£379 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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What is Forest Oak School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Forest Oak School is Outstanding, from an inspection in June 2025.

When was Forest Oak School last inspected by Ofsted?

Forest Oak School was last inspected in June 2025.

How many pupils does Forest Oak School have?

Forest Oak School has 215 pupils on roll.

What age range does Forest Oak School cover?

Forest Oak School for pupils aged 4 to 19.

What are Forest Oak School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Forest Oak School?

Forest Oak School is at Windward Way, Smith's Wood, Birmingham, West Midlands, B36 0UE.