Forest Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of BEACON MULTI-ACADEMY TRUST LIMITED
Harbourer Road, Hainault, Ilford, IG6 3TN
020 8500 4266 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 12 January 2023.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
151 pupils in this year group.
37% — 23 points below the Redbridge average, and 8 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Redbridge | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 37% | 60% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 42.2 | 53.9 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.0 | 5.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
154 pupils in this year group.
88% — 7 points below the Redbridge average, and 4 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Redbridge | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 88% | 95% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 38% | 70% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 4% | 4% | 13% |
| Further education college | 43% | 19% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | – | 3% |
| Work | 2% | – | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 88% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Redbridge. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 134 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 74 |
| Of those, offered a place | 74 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 190 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.3 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.6
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 30 places for autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Redbridge | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 12 state secondary schools in Ilford. Higher than 60% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 31.1% | 23.0%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 12 state secondary schools in Ilford. Higher than 78% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.4% | 2.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 12 state secondary schools in Ilford. Higher than 49% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.6% | 10.8%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 12 state secondary schools in Ilford. Higher than 95% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 58.8% | 52.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 12 state secondary schools in Ilford. Lower than 86% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 6.0% | 6.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 12 state secondary schools in Ilford. Lower than 74% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 18.2% | 18.5%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 9th lowest of 12 state secondary schools in Ilford. Lower than 64% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.0 | 6.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 8th lowest of 12 state secondary schools in Ilford. Lower than 54% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.2% | 4.2% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.08% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 12th highest of 12 state secondary schools in Ilford. Higher than 1% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 11.0 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 12th highest of 12 state secondary schools in Ilford. Higher than 4% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.8 | 12.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 12 state secondary schools in Ilford. Higher than 94% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 27.4% | 16.7%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- King Solomon High School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
- Chigwell School 1.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 45% A*/A at A level
- Atam Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 68% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ilford County High School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 strong · 97% grade 5+ English and maths
- West Hatch High School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 51% grade 5+ English and maths
- Oaks Park High School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), improved significantly 2025 · 58% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Warren School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- Caterham High School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 43% grade 5+ English and maths
- Chadwell Heath Academy 2.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
- Immanuel School 2.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Forest Academy's Ofsted rating?
Forest Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 12 January 2023.
How did Forest Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 37% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 8 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Forest Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 74 families put Forest Academy as their first choice for 134 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 74 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 137692.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.