SchoolScoresThe Forest School
Special academy · All-through, ages 2 to 16 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of WELLSPRING ACADEMY TRUST
Park Lane, Knaresborough, HG5 0DQ
01423 864583 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 23 April 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
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 | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
41 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
| Statement | This school | England |
|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school | 98% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school | 95% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved | 93% | 84% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 32 parents who had raised a concern | 91% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 41 parents of children with SEND | 93% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent | 93%said yes | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 28%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
3 pupils in this year group.
Only 3 pupils took these tests, so results can change a lot from year to year. Compare with care.
| Measure | This school | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | Not published | 60% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | Not published | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | Not published | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | Not published | 72% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | Not published | 72% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | Not published | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | Not published | 104 | 105 |
"Not published": Not published: too few pupils, so individual pupils could be identified.
Source: DfE key stage 2 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.
16 pupils in this year group.
94% — about the same as the North Yorkshire average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 94% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 0% | 34% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 13% | 13% |
| Further education college | 25% | 35% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 0% | 5% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 94% |
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 North Yorkshire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
Pupils, staff and SEND
This is a special school for children with an education, health and care plan (EHCP). Places are arranged through the council's SEND team, not the normal admissions round. It caters for: Specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia); Visual impairment; Hearing impairment; Speech, language and communication needs; Autism; Social, emotional and mental health needs; Physical disability; Moderate learning difficulties; Severe learning difficulties.
| Pupils | This school | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years | 45.3% | 51.8%* | 51.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan | 100.0% | 99.9%* | 99.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support | 0.0% | 0.1%* | 0.5% |
| English as an additional language | 6.8% | 4.8%* | 14.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) | 10.3% | 15.8%* | 12.8% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) | 29.1% | 37.6%* | 35.3% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils | 3.4 | 7.3 | 12.3 |
| Pupils suspended at least once | 2.0% | 3.9% | 5.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.08% |
| Pupils per teacher | 8.9 | 7.6 | 6.6 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) | 2.5 | 2.7 | 2.3 |
| Teachers who left during the year | 0.0% | 15.0%* | 14.3%* |
Comparisons are with special schools. * 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 special schools
- Springwater Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022, before conversion)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Forest School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 23 April 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
Would parents recommend The Forest School?
93% of the 41 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend The Forest School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 147819.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 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.