UKSchoolSearch
ClosedSecondaryURN 126065

The Forest School

Community school · Horsham · RH13 5NT

Ages 11–16 · 1,095 pupils · West Sussex

Attainment 8

45.9

Overall absence

8.3%

Admissions demand

1.21 · Competitive

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.28
−20+2
Attainment 845.9
English & maths grade 5+49%
English & maths grade 4+71%
EBacc entry19%

EBacc APS: 4.1

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence8.3%
Persistent absence (10%+)24.9%
Unauthorised2.3%
Authorised absence
6.0%
Severe absence (50%+)
2.6%
Enrolments in measure
1,102

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

1.21 · Competitive

1st preferences

283

Places offered

234

1st-preference offers

218

Total preferences (any rank)
844
Preferred offers (top 3)
234
Applications from outside LA
6
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (16 Jan 2025).

Capacity fill96%

1,095 pupils · 1,140 places

Pupils on roll
1,095
Boys / girls
817 / 278
School capacity
1,140
Capacity fill
1,095 / 1,140 (96%)
Free school meals
11.4%
FSM pupils
125
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community school

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Community school
Headteacher
Mr Ian Straw

Location

Address
Comptons Lane
Postcode
RH13 5NT
Town
Horsham
County
West Sussex
Local authority
West Sussex
District
Horsham
Constituency
Horsham
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed community school (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Horsham, West Sussex, 1,095 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 11.4%.

Open schools in Horsham
44
Secondary schools in Horsham
3
Academies among open schools in Horsham
16% (7)
Open schools in RH13
23
Secondary in RH13
2
Open schools in West Sussex LA
338
Secondary in West Sussex LA
37

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in HorshamNear RH13

  • The Forest School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Horsham · RH13 5NT · West Sussex

    Ages 11–16

    • FSM12.7%

    0.0 miles away

  • Millais School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Secondary

    Horsham · RH13 5HR · West Sussex

    Ages 11–16

    • Att852.9
    • P80.2
    • EM5+60%
    • Absence9.2%

    0.3 miles away

  • Tanbridge House School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Community school · Secondary

    Horsham · RH12 1SR · West Sussex

    Ages 11–16

    • Att853.1
    • P80.4
    • EM5+59%
    • Absence7.0%

    2.0 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Ian Straw

Official links