Forest Moor School

Overview

Forest Moor School is a special academy for pupils with complex social, emotional and mental health needs, judged as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories. The report describes a ‘much-improved’ setting where staff understand pupils’ needs ‘extremely well’, providing a ‘nurturing environment’ that supports both academic progress and personal development.

Strengths

• Staff deliver a ‘broad curriculum’ with English and mathematics prioritised, ensuring all pupils leave with qualifications in these subjects.
• Pupils benefit from ‘well-established systems’ for managing behaviour, including ‘restorative practice’ and clear plans for resolving bullying.
• Reading is a ‘high priority’, with daily phonics and ‘drop everything and read’ time helping pupils develop ‘fluency and confidence’.
• Pupils enjoy ‘personalised SEMH curriculum’ elements, such as outdoor learning and caring for animals on the ‘developing school farm’.
• Leaders have ‘raised standards and expectations’, with staff feeling ‘invested in’ and proud to work at the school.

Areas to improve

• Attendance remains ‘consistently low’, with too many pupils missing ‘important learning and experiences’.
• Curriculum plans in some subjects are ‘not precise enough’, meaning pupils lack ‘subject-specific knowledge’ in areas like history and geography.

Safeguarding

The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.