Curriculum & Pastoral Overview

Forest School students follow a National Curriculum (https://www.gov.uk/national-curriculum/key-stage-3-and-4) that is designed to:

1. Be broad and balanced, giving students a common body of knowledge and information, whatever GCSE subjects they subsequently take.
2. Maximise their learning. We want all our students to be guided in their studies by our ASPIRE to be Elite ethos. Their learning helps them to build an aspirational mind set, whilst in a safe environment, designed to allow them to express themselves, instil resilience and learn from their experiences. We teach our students to be prepared and independent, to be respectful and excellent.
3. Ensure students are engaged and ready for, and excited by, the challenges of GCSEs. We thus ensure that students cover a full range of subjects, including:
   • Core subjects  - English, Maths and Science                                                
   • Humanities - History, Geography, RE and PSHE                                                      
   • Arts - Fine Art and Photography
   • Technology - Product Design, Engineering, Food Preparation and Nutrition and Hospitality and Catering      
   • Physical Education                                                                                            
   • Modern Foreign Languages – currently all students study French and Spanish in Y7, choosing which to specialise with in year 8
   • Performing Arts subjects – Music and Drama

Forest students take English Literature, English Language, Maths, two or three Science subjects and four option subjects from a broad range, including Art, Music, Business Studies, Catering, Computer Science, Citizenship, Engineering, Food Preparation and Nutrition, French, Geography, History, Spanish, Physical Education, Photography, Product Design and Religious Education.

The KS4 curriculum is broad and balanced: details of all courses leading to GCSE or equivalent qualifications are detailed in the Options booklet, and shared with parents in detail on our special information evening in year 8. 

Personalised learning routes for students to help them progress and achieve their best. There are four KS4 suggested pathways for students to follow to maximise engagement and progression on to the next stage of their learning, whether this be FE, HE including Oxbridge and Russell group, apprenticeships or the world of work.

At The Forest School, we are committed to helping every Year 11 student achieve their best. Our after-school intervention sessions provide tailored support in key subjects, focusing on areas where students need extra guidance. These targeted sessions, led by dedicated staff, offer an excellent opportunity to boost confidence, deepen understanding, and prepare for upcoming exams in a supportive environment. Click here to see the Intervention 2024-25 schedule.

Click here to view the Year 11 Examination 2024 Information Evening presentation

Sixth Form

Our purpose built co-ed Sixth Form runs a wide variety of A Level courses, and a selection of vocational alternatives. Retention rates from GCSE students moving into Year 12 are very high. Students opt for one of three pathways, according to their GCSE results, their area of interest and what they want to study at university. Students get full support in their applications for apprenticeships or to university, including dedicated support for those applying for Oxbridge places. Many students take the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification). This is a highly prestigious, academic qualification which is excellent preparation for further study, as well as carrying UCAS points. 

Year 12 students complete a week of work experience and take part in the National Citizen Scheme and many take part in a World Challenge Expedition.

Retakes for both maths and English GCSE are timetabled, and therefore students see the importance in these subjects.

Today’s children and young people are growing up in an increasingly complex world and living their lives seamlessly on and offline. This presents many positive and exciting opportunities, but also challenges and risks. In this environment, children and young people need to know how to be safe and healthy, and how to manage their academic, personal and social lives in a positive way.

At The Forest School we aim to ensure that students are able to develop a healthy attitude towards relationships and sexual matters by giving information and providing opportunities for discussion in appropriate contexts and at suitable times throughout their secondary school life. 

Schools are now required to teach Relationships and Sex Education to all students from Year 7 to 11. The Department for Education guidance on Relationships and Sex Education can be found here.

The Forest School’s PSHE (including RSE) Policy sets out the broad curriculum programme.  This is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that the programme for each year groups builds effectively on the previous year's content. RSE is covered in the Unifrog PSHE programme and across the curriculum in a wide range of topics.

Right of withdrawal

Parents have the legal right to withdraw their children from some or all of sex education delivered as part of statutory RSE up to and until the third term before their 16th birthday. They do not have the right to withdraw their children from relationships education, those aspects of RSE that are taught through the Science curriculum, or where RSE issues arise incidentally in other subject areas. 

Requests to withdraw from sex education must be made directly to office@forest.academy, by completing the withdrawal form included as Appendix 2 in the Forest School’s PSHE (including RSE) Policy. Before granting any such request the Headteacher or assigned DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead) will discuss the request with parents and, as appropriate, with the student to ensure that their wishes are understood and to clarify the nature and purpose of the curriculum.

The Forest School is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom.  It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.

The Forest School is dedicated to preparing students for their adult life and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all its students.

The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy. Information from Department for Education can be found here

British Values are taught in each year group, the image below gives a snapshot of how we implement British Values across each year group.

The five British Values are:

• Democracy
• The Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual Respect
• Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development is the overarching umbrella that encompasses personal development across the whole curriculum. The SMSC and British Values document shows an overview of how we implement SMSC, British Values  within PSHE and across curricular, enrichment activities, educational visits and the use of external agencies / speakers.

We run all different kinds of clubs and extracurricular activities for you to enjoy.  They may take place before, during or after the school day.  Please speak with your Form Tutor or Head of Year for current club availability and to join up. School Trips are advertised to students / parents through school communications.

Extra Curricular Summer Term 2024 2025