Ofsted awarded the Academy, which is also a national Behaviour & Attendance Hub, the Strong Standard rating for Pupil Achievement, Attendance and Behaviour, Curriculum and Teaching, Early Years, Inclusion and Personal Development and Wellbeing.

The Academy’s leadership and governance was particularly praised and given an Exceptional rating; a rating given to very few schools or academies across the country, intended to highlight particularly strong practice.

As the report reads, “Leaders know pupils and their families extremely well. The impact of leaders' rigorous tracking of pupils' vulnerabilities is tangible. This means that leaders make decisions with pupils' needs at the heart of everything. Pupils, including the most vulnerable, have access to an excellent education.”

Other highlights from the report include recognition of the school’s unwavering commitment to inclusion and community engagement, its culture of excellent behaviour and its high aspirations for all pupils. 

The report describes early years as being “full of the purposeful buzz of learning” and recognises the extensive opportunities offered through Forest’s global curriculum and personal development provision. 

The report commends the successful delivery of initiatives designed and supported by Inspire Partnership, including our “substantial” professional learning offer and the local governance models that we support our schools to create.

The report reads, “Leaders demonstrate an unwavering commitment to community engagement, forging sustainable partnerships. Central to this is their work with the local community council (LCC), which ensures that the trust's strategic vision and policies are adapted appropriately for the local context.”

As Melissa Carpenter, Deputy Chief Executive for Inspire Partnership, says, “The whole school community should be incredibly proud of this outcome. 

“From the Trust’s perspective, we’re excited to see our strategy bearing fruit. Our programmes - from the development of Junior Leadership Teams and Local Community Councils through to a comprehensive professional development offer for all staff members - are delivering impact and transforming the lives of our pupils.”