The Forest School, based in Knaresborough, provides not applicable education, serving pupils aged 2 to 16. The school is a academy special converter and operates as a mixed school. It follows a not applicable admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.

The Forest School currently has around 148 pupils on roll, which is about 117% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 66.2% boys and 33.8% girls. Around 42.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The school has a diverse intake across different backgrounds and needs.

Overall absence at the school is 9.8%. Persistent absence is recorded at 24.8%.

The majority of pupils are from a white british background (85.8%).

Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.

School Information

Address: Park Lane, Knaresborough, HG5 0DQ
Website: www.forest.n-yorks.sch.uk
Telephone: 01423864583
School Type: Academy special converter
Education phase: Not applicable
Local authority: North Yorkshire
Headteacher / Principal: Mrs Shona Crichton
Religious character: Does not apply
Admissions policy: Not applicable
Unique reference: 147819

Map

Ofsted Inspection

  • Quality of education
  • Behaviour and attitudes
  • Personal development
  • Management effectiveness

Ofsted inspection date: 23/04/2025

Safeguarding is effective

Pupils

General

Age Range: 2 - 16
Gender: Mixed
School Capacity: 127
Number of Pupils: 148
Number of Boys: 98
Number of Girls: 50

Absence

SchoolEngland state-funded schools:
Overall absence: 9.8% 4%
Persistent absence: 24.8% 8.2%

Ethnicity

White British85.80%127
Other White5.40%8
White and Black African3.40%5
Other Mixed1.40%2
White and Asian1.40%2
Other Black0.70%1
Other Asian0.70%1
Pakistani0.70%1
Unclassified0.70%1
Irish0.00%0
White and Black Caribbean0.00%0
Bangladeshi0.00%0
Gypsy/Roma0.00%0
Chinese0.00%0
Caribbean0.00%0
African0.00%0
Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage)0.00%0
Other (any other ethnic group)0.00%0
Indian0.00%0

Education - Primary

Progress scores show how pupils performed compared with pupils nationally who had similar prior attainment. Scores above 0 are better than average; below 0 are worse than average.

Reading: Well Below Average (-20.4)
Writing: Well Below Average (-18.2)
Maths: Well Below Average (-20.4)
Pupils meeting expected standard in reading, writing and maths
School
0%
Town average
63%
Local authority average
59%
England average
61%
Pupils achieving at a higher standard in reading, writing and maths
School
0%
Town average
12%
Local authority average
8%
England average
8%
Average score in reading
School
Town average
105.8
Local authority average
105.4
England average
105.1
Average score in maths
School
Town average
104.9
Local authority average
103.8
England average
104.3

Education - Secondary

Progress 8 score

Progress 8 score (average over pupils)
School
Local authority average
-0.06
England average
-0.03
Entering EBacc
School
Local authority average
37%
England average
35%
Grade 5+ in English & maths GCSEs
School
Local authority average
49%
England average
41%
Attainment 8 score
School
Local authority average
47.2
England average
44.6
EBacc average point score
School
Local authority average
4.0
England average
3.9
Staying in education or employment
School

Nearby Schools

Primary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Knaresborough, Meadowside Community Primary School
Halfpenny Lane , HG5 0SL
- not rated 547 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Meadowside Academy
Halfpenny Lane , HG5 0SL
3out of 4 547 yd Academy converter No Mixed More About School
Knaresborough St John's CofE Primary School
Stockwell Road , HG5 0JN
- not rated 739 yd Voluntary controlled school No Mixed More About School
Castle Church of England Junior School, Knaresborough
Stockwell Road , HG5 0JN
- not rated 739 yd Voluntary controlled school No Mixed More About School
Knaresborough, the Manor Infant School
Stockwell Road , HG5 0JN
- not rated 739 yd Community school No Mixed More About School

Secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
King James's School
King James Road , HG5 8EB
3out of 4 989 yd Community school No Mixed More About School

Not applicable

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
The Forest School
Park Lane , HG5 0DQ
- not rated 0 yd Community special school Yes Mixed More About School
The Forest School
Park Lane , HG5 0DQ
- not rated 0 yd Academy special converter Yes Mixed More About School

School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.