The Forum School
| Type | Independent School / Other independent special school |
| Age Range | 7-19 |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Address | Shillingstone Blandford Forum Dorset DT11 0QS |
| Phone | 01258860295 |
| Reference Number | 116593 |
The Forum School is currently rated as requiring improvement, with particular strengths in pupil behavior and certain aspects of personal development. The quality of education is on an upward trajectory, yet challenges remain in accurately assessing starting points for pupils' learning, leading to gaps in knowledge. The school's leadership team is actively working to address these issues and improve outcomes for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Some enhancements in curriculum delivery have been noted, particularly in early reading, but further development is needed in areas such as relationships and sex education to better prepare pupils for life in modern Britain.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 24 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 87.5%
Girls: 12.5% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 0% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 100% |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 4 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 5 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 6 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 7 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 8 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 9 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 10 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 11 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 12 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 13 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Requires Improvement |
| Last Report Date | 22 Oct 2024 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 22 Oct 2024 | Standard inspection: |
| 17 Apr 2024 | Additional inspection |
| 18 Jul 2023 | Additional inspection |
| 09 Nov 2022 | Standard inspection: |
| 03 Dec 2019 | Standard inspection: |
| 06 Mar 2018 | Standard inspection: |
| 13 Jul 2017 | Additional inspection |
| 29 Nov 2016 | Standard inspection: |
| 16 Oct 2012 | Standard inspection: |
| 23 Jun 2009 | Light touch inspection |
| 19 Jun 2006 | Standard inspection |
| 10 Oct 2000 | Standard inspection |
Strengths
- Positive relationships between pupils and staff based on trust and respect.
- Effective support for pupils to recognize and respond appropriately to their emotions.
- Improved reading instruction matching pupils' abilities.
- Passionate and knowledgeable leadership team actively driving improvements.
- Increased staff training focused on meeting pupils' needs.
- Strong pupil attendance and established routines.
- High-quality health and medical care for residential pupils.
Areas for Improvement
- Gaps in pupils' subject knowledge not accurately identified.
- Health education and relationships and sex education (RSE) curriculum lacks sufficient development.
- Insufficient rigor in monitoring and implementing premises risk assessments.
| Name | Distance |
|
Shillingstone Church of England Primary School
Augustan Avenue, Shillingstone, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0TX |
0.78 miles |
|
St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Child Okeford
Station Road, Child Okeford, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 8EL |
0.82 miles |
|
Hanford School
Child Okeford, Blandford Forum, DT11 8HN |
1.43 miles |
|
William Barnes Primary School
Bridge Street, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1BZ |
2.75 miles |
|
Durweston Church of England Primary School
Durweston, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0QA |
2.88 miles |
|
St Andrew's Church of England Primary School
West Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 0PF |
4.32 miles |
|
Milldown CofE Academy
Milldown Road, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 7SN |
4.54 miles |
|
Hazelbury Bryan Primary School
Droop, Hazelbury Bryan Primary School, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 2ED |
4.72 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Yewstock School
Honeymead Lane, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1EW |
2.94 miles |
|
Sturminster Newton High School
Bath Road, Bath Road, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1DT |
3.09 miles |
|
Clayesmore School
Iwerne Minster, Blandford Forum, DT11 8LL |
3.24 miles |
|
Bryanston School
Bryanston, Blandford Forum, DT11 0PX |
3.93 miles |
|
The Blandford School
Milldown Road, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 7SQ |
4.64 miles |