SGS Forest High School
Cinderford, GL14 2AZ · Gloucestershire · secondary school
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41st of 41 secondary schools in Gloucestershire we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.4/10 against 583 of them, against 0.4/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 5 | 35% | 0.19 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 18.0 · 2 | 30% | 0.07 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.78 · 6 | 25% | 0.15 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 32.9 · 3 | 10% | 0.03 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
SGS Forest High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 33.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 35.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.78 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Requires improvement in April 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (1.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 255 pupils against a stated capacity of 450. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between the current Attainment 8 score and the national median? What specific actions are being taken to address the 'Requires improvement' rating from the 2024 inspection?
What Ofsted said about SGS Forest High School
Overview
SGS Forest High School is “improving rapidly” following a previous inadequate rating, with inspectors noting that the school “no longer requires special measures.” The report highlights a “strong sense of community” and “mutual respect” among pupils, alongside “determined and resilient leadership” that has driven significant progress in behaviour and personal development.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate “good” behaviour and attitudes, learning “without disruption” and reporting disrespectful conduct with confidence.
- Personal development is “good”, with pupils receiving “valuable support” for personal challenges and engaging in enriching activities like sports and drama.
- Leadership is “good”, providing “highly effective support” for new teachers and maintaining a “sharply focused” approach to improving outcomes for vulnerable pupils.
- The curriculum is described as “full and ambitious”, with a sustained focus on reading that helps pupils gain “cultural capital” and follow wider learning.
Areas to improve
- Teaching must be more responsive to pupils’ understanding, particularly for those with SEND or speaking English as an additional language, to prevent insecure knowledge.
- Assessment in some subjects lacks precision, meaning gaps in knowledge persist and are not effectively rectified.
- Pupils require more opportunities for extended discussion and writing to develop independent thinking skills necessary for GCSE success.
- High rates of absence continue to prevent many pupils from fulfilling their potential, requiring further proactive work to secure attendance.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 29.0 |
| 2024/25 | 35.6 |
| 2025/26 | 32.9 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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