The Forest School
| Type | Special School |
| Age Range | 2-16 |
| Religion | Does not apply |
| Address | Park Lane Knaresborough North Yorkshire HG5 0DQ |
| Phone | 01423864583 |
| Reference Number | 147819 |
Description
betaThe Forest School, located at HG5 0DQ, is an educational institution celebrated for its unique learning environment and focus on nature-based experiences. Some key aspects of The Forest School include:
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Pioneering Curriculum: Established with a strong vision of nurturing holistic and nature-oriented development, The Forest School employs a curriculum that seamlessly integrates traditional academic subjects with outdoor activities and environmental education.
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Nature-Based Learning: The school embraces the power of the great outdoors, allowing students to develop practical and theoretical understanding as well as physical competence in outdoor pursuits. This approach supports the school's mission to meld learning with adventure through experiences that include mountain biking, hiking, bushcraft, environmental discovery, and outdoor science.
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Facilities and Resources: The Forest School's state-of-the-art outdoor provision offers a variety of resources, ensuring high-quality nature-led learning opportunities throughout the year. The school is famed for its outdoor center, with the best-equipped classrooms being located outside the school gates.
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Strong Community: The Forest School has a strong and inclusive community of students and parents, who adopt the philosophy of education and work together to shape a culture that encourages the pursuit of knowledge hand-in-hand with a deep respect for the natural world.
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Eco-Friendly Initiatives: To reinforce its commitment to sustaining the environment, The Forest School has implemented a number of initiatives to promote eco-friendly practices, including waste management, sustainability, composting, and recycling programs.
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Innovative Programs: The school has developed a range of exciting initiatives, such as Forest School Saturdays (FSS), which is a popular program designed to create an immersive and inspirational Saturday morning experience for young people ages 5–15.
The Forest School is an outstanding institution, showcasing an inspiring approach to education while respecting and celebrating the natural world.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 147 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 64.63%
Girls: 35.37% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 38.8% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 6.1% |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Unknown | 5 |
| 2 | 8 | 2 | 10 |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| 5 | 2 | Unknown | 2 |
| 6 | 10 | 2 | 12 |
| 7 | 12 | 7 | 19 |
| 8 | 17 | 10 | 27 |
| 9 | 8 | 8 | 16 |
| 10 | 13 | 13 | 26 |
| 11 | 10 | 5 | 15 |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White, British | 86.4% |
| White, Other | 5.4% |
| White & Black (African) | 3.4% |
| White & Asian | 1.4% |
| Unclassified | 1.4% |
| Mixed, Other | 0.7% |
| Asian, Other | 0.7% |
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Requires Improvement |
| > Quality of education | Requires Improvement |
| > Behaviour & Attitude | Good |
| > Personal Development | Good |
| > Leadership & Management | Requires Improvement |
| Last Inspection Date | 2023-04-28 |
| Date | Description | Report |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-02-21 | School inspection: | School inspection: |
| 2020-04-08 | Academy conversion letter | Academy conversion letter |
| 2019-12-17 | School inspection | School inspection |
| 2015-06-10 | Full inspection: | Full inspection: |
| 2011-11-15 | Full inspection: | Full inspection: |
| 2008-11-18 | Full inspection: | Full inspection: |
| 2006-05-17 | Full inspection: | Full inspection: |
| 2000-01-25 | Full inspection | Full inspection |
| 2019-12-17 | School inspection | School inspection |
| 2015-06-10 | Full inspection: | Full inspection: |
| 2011-11-15 | Full inspection: | Full inspection: |
| 2008-11-18 | Full inspection: | Full inspection: |
| 2006-05-17 | Full inspection: | Full inspection: |
| 2000-01-25 | Full inspection | Full inspection |
Ofsted Parent View
The latest published parent view scores are from 2019. Ofsted only publish scores if there have been more than 10 responses to the survey.
| Strongly Agree | Agree | Disagree | Strongly Disagree | Don't Know | Total Responses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. My child is happy at this school. | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 |
| 2. My child feels safe at this school. | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 3. The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved. | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 4. My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively. | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 5. The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year. | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 |
| 6. When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly. | 2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 7. My child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed. | ||||||
| 8. The school has high expectations for my child. | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 |
| 9. My child does well at this school. | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 10. The school lets me know how my child is doing. | 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 11. There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school. | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11 |
| 12. My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school. | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 13. The school supports my child’s wider personal development. | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 11 |
| 14. I would recommend this school to another parent. | 10 | 1 |
Progress Scores
A progress score is a way to measure how well a student progressed in comparison to other students of a similar starting ability. A score of zero means would mean that a student made the same progress as others that had a similar starting a ability. A positive score would mean that the student made more progress than other students of similar starting ability. The scores below are for the whole school so is the average progress score across all students.
| Metric | School Score | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | -20.4 | Unlock | Unlock |
| Writing | -18.2 | Unlock | Unlock |
| Maths | -20.4 | Unlock | Unlock |
Destinations after GCSE's
Data relates to students who sat their GCSE's in 2022 and was last updated in May 2024.
| Staying in Education | Unlock |
| > Further Education | Unlock |
| > School Sixth Form | Unlock |
| > Sixth Form College | Unlock |
| > Other Education | Unlock |
| Apprenticeships | Unlock |
| Employment | Unlock |
| Not in education or employment | Unlock |
| Unknown | Unlock |
| Name | Distance |
|
Meadowside Academy
Halfpenny Lane, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 0SL |
0.33 miles |
|
Knaresborough St John's Church of England Primary School
Stockwell Road, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 0JN |
0.4 miles |
|
Aspin Park Academy
Wetherby Road, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 8LQ |
0.58 miles |
|
Goldsborough Church of England Primary School
Goldsborough, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 8NJ |
1.5 miles |
|
Starbeck Primary Academy
High Street, Starbeck, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 7LL |
1.89 miles |
|
Hookstone Chase Primary School
Hookstone Chase, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 7DJ |
2.06 miles |
|
Scotton Lingerfield Primary School
Market Flat Lane, Lingerfield, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 9JA |
2.28 miles |
|
Willow Tree Community Primary School
Wetherby Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 7SG |
2.7 miles |
|
Richard Taylor Church of England Primary School
Bilton Lane, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 3DT |
3.22 miles |
|
Follifoot Church of England Primary School
Main Street, Follifoot, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 1DU |
3.27 miles |
|
Harrogate, Grove Road Community Primary School
Grove Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 5EP |
3.33 miles |
|
Staveley Community Primary School
Minskip Lane, Staveley, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 9LQ |
3.4 miles |
|
Harrogate, Bilton Grange Primary School
Bilton Lane, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 3BA |
3.47 miles |
|
Coppice Valley Primary School
Knapping Hill, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 2DN |
3.69 miles |
|
Oatlands Community Junior School
Beechwood Grove, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 8QP |
3.77 miles |
|
St Peter's Church of England Primary School
Belford Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 1JA |
3.77 miles |
|
St Peter's Church of England Primary School
Marshall Drive, Brotton, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, TS12 2UW |
3.77 miles |
|
Oatlands Infant School
Hookstone Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 8BT |
3.87 miles |
|
New Park Primary Academy
Skipton Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 3HF |
3.89 miles |
|
Spofforth Church of England Controlled Primary School
School Lane, Spofforth, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 1BA |
4.02 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
King James's School
King James Road, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 8EB |
0.58 miles |
|
Springwater School
High Street, Starbeck, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 7LW |
1.88 miles |
|
Harrogate High School
Ainsty Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 4AP |
2.83 miles |
|
St John Fisher Catholic Academy
Hookstone Drive, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 8PT |
3.26 miles |
|
St Aidan's Church of England High School
Oatlands Drive, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 8JR |
3.44 miles |
|
Strive for Education
21 North Park Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 5PD |
3.57 miles |
|
Harrogate Grammar School
Arthurs Avenue, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 0DZ |
4.23 miles |
|
Rossett School
Green Lane, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 9JP |
4.69 miles |