The Forest School, Wokingham

Ofsted's report card from its 9 December 2025 inspection grades The Forest School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard, 5 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Pupils are extremely well supported in their personal development."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils typically achieve well across the curriculum."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders ensure that pupils understand the importance of positive attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed a well-sequenced and ambitious curriculum."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "There are high aspirations for all pupils, particularly those with additional needs."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders understand the context of their school extremely well."

Post 16 provision - Needs attention. "Students in the sixth form have historically not achieved as well as they should."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to embed improvements in the post-16 provision so that students consistently achieve well"; "Leaders should continue their work to embed consistently high-quality teaching across the curriculum".

In its own words: "As an Academy Trust, we are committed to ensuring that The Forest School offers the best all round education for the students entrusted into its care. As Trustees, we all take our role very seriously and work hard to progress the school academically, financially and strategically."

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are delighted to welcome you to Forest6, a vibrant and inclusive Sixth Form offering a wide range of A-level subjects designed to support every student's aspirations. Whether you are aiming for university, an apprenticeship, or direct employment, our curriculum provides the strong foundation you need to succeed."

On phones, the school says: "As a reminder, mobile phones and smartwatches must not be used during the school day."

In 2026, pupils at The Forest School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 49.9, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 54.2 in Wokingham and 47 across England.

52% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 62% in Wokingham and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 50.7.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.12: pupils made below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 33.2, against 52.1 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 18.9 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 22 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Social Studies, Combined Science and Business Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 186 families put The Forest School as their first choice and 849 named it as one of their preferences, for 239 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 8 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to The Forest School are The Emmbrook School (1.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 50.5); The Holt School (1.8 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 65.2); Maiden Erlegh School (2.1 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 59.3); and The Bulmershe School (2.3 miles, Attainment 8 50.6).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than The Forest School.

206 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about The Forest School (as of April 2026): 95% would recommend the school, 91% say their child is happy there and 93% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (95%); the weakest, that they are kept well informed about progress (78%).

Of the 123 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 86% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 33% to a further education college, 7% to an apprenticeship and 2% into work.

Of the 80 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 54% went on to university or other higher education, 4% to apprenticeships and 23% into work. 8% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

14.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 31.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (52%), Asian (17%) and Mixed (9%).

In 2026, 206 pupils (19.8%) received SEN support and 17 (1.6%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

The nearest railway station is Winnersh Rail Station, about 150 metres away (roughly a 2-minute walk).

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Forest School (opp 34), 120 metres away.

The Forest School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The primary schools closest to The Forest School are Winnersh Primary School (0.4 miles), Wheatfield Primary School and Nursery (0.5 miles), Bearwood Primary School (0.8 miles) and Emmbrook Junior School (1.2 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.