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What it's like

Founded in 1834 as a boys' school, The Forest Proprietary School. It became Forest School in 1847 and has a big campus in an open part of Epping Forest. Girls were first accepted in 1981 and, although they share the same campus, boys and girls are taught separately between the ages of 7 and 16; the sixth form is co-educational. Around the original Georgian building are many additions, including a theatre, large computer centre, facilities for art, drama and design, and a performing arts extension; most recently, a large sports complex has been added, including 2 swimming pools. Excellent playing fields cover the 27 acres. Religious worship is in accordance with Anglican faith and practice and all pupils are required to attend services in the chapel. A broad general education is provided and examination results are very good. The music, drama and art departments are strong. A good range of sports and games is available and all pupils are expected to take part in these. There are many regional and county representatives and standards are high in many sports. Extra-curricular activities are numerous. There is a big commitment to local community services. Full use is made of the cultural amenities of London.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 4-18; 1240 pupils (620 boys, 620 girls). Junior department 4-11, 220 pupils (110 boys, 110 girls). Senior department, 11-18, 1020 pupils (510 boys, 510 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 7, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects). State-school entry 50% senior intake, plus 85% new entrants to sixth form.

Scholarships & bursaries

16+ pa scholarships (including 9 at age 11, 4 at 16), value £700-£2716 per term: 10 academic, 1 art, 1 drama, 4 music, 1 sport. 5 bursaries at 11 and 16.

Head & staff

Warden: Mrs Sarah J Kerr-Dineen in post from 2009. Educated at Steyning Grammar School and at the universities of Cambridge (English) and Oxford (graduate study). Previously Deputy Head (Academic) at St Edward’s, Oxford. Teaching staff: 104 full time, 10 part time. Annual turnover 5%.

Exam results

GCSE: 144 pupils in fifth, 99% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 118 in upper sixth, gaining an average final point score of 364.

Pupils' destinations

95% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (19% after a gap year), 9% to Oxbridge. 6% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 37% in science and engineering, 6% in law, 40% in humanities and social sciences, 4% in art and design, 6% in vocational subjects. Others typically go direct in to employment (often in City).

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 25 GCSE subjects, 20 AS/A-level (including computer studies). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (usually including a contrasting subject), 3-4 at A-level excluding general studies. Key skills integrated into courses but not formally assessed. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. Pupils may take RSA Stage 1 word processing and Stages 1 and 2 computer literacy. 330 computers for pupil use (7 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. Laptops with radio networking in library.

The arts

Music: Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 20 musical groups including orchestras, choirs, jazz bands, chamber groups etc. Recent organ and choral scholarships to Oxbridge. Drama and dance: Drama and dance offered. Some pupils are involved in school productions and house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 10 AS/A-levels. Design, pottery, textiles, photography also offered. All A-level students attain first-choice places on art and design courses.

Sports & activities

Sport: Wide range of sports compulsory under the PE programme; 20+ sports and activities. A number of national, regional, county and district representatives at hockey, netball, football, athletics, cross-country, fencing, judo. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF and community service optional. Up to 15 clubs, eg chess, choral, debating, film, music, natural history, photography, science, voluntary service.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, monitors head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects and monitors - appointed by the Warden. Sixth-form council. Religion: Church of England. Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: ESU speaking competitions held jointly with other local schools. Pupils allowed to bring own car to school. Meals formal. School shop.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect no punishment, possibly detention; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises might expect expulsion.

Former pupils

Nickolas Grace, Adam Woodyatt, Anthony Venditti, Nicola Walker (actors); Mark Petchey, David Felgate (tennis players); Nasser Hussain, James Foster (cricketers); Jangu Banatvala (medicine); Michael Swash (neurologist); Quinton Fortune (footballer); John Matthews (building); Richard Holmes (historian); Tolga Kashif (composer); Colin Smith (horseracing).