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19
Jun 2025
Knaresborough special needs school gets Ofsted upgrade
A school for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities in Knaresborough has been given a positive update from Ofsted.
The Forest School, on Park Lane, was rated ‘good’ for quality of education, personal development, and leadership and management, and ‘outstanding’ for behaviour and attitudes.
Government inspectors visited the school in April.
The school’s previous inspection report in 2023 said it 'requires improvement'.
This time, inspectors praised the school’s staff-pupil relationships:
Pupils have positive and trusting relationships with staff. One pupil, reflecting the views of many, said, ‘It’s a nice friendly place here, we welcome everyone.’
Staff understand pupils’ needs well. Expectations for learning and growth are ambitious and highly personalised to pupils’ individual needs. Pupils are well supported to thrive academically and personally, competently guided by advice from specialists.
Personal development
The school, which is part of Wellspring Academy Trust, has 151 pupils aged two to 16 on its roll.
The report added that a well-structured curriculum meant pupils were enthusiastic about learning.
Pupils were seen to enjoy being at school, often speaking highly of staff.
Support for pupil’s behaviour was described as ‘excellent’.
The school was also praised for its personal development programme, which helps improve leadership skills.
The programme encourages pupils to take on roles such as school councillors, and learn about online safety and managing money.
Inspectors stated that the school “has made significant progress since the last inspection”, and that the trust and leaders “have the experience to ensure that this journey continues”.
The Stray Ferret has contacted The Forest School for comment, but at the time of publication had not received a response.
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