Our pupils range from 4 to 19 years. Classes are organised into Key Stages so that pupils of a similar age are taught together. Pupils are in main base class and are then organised into teaching groups for particular subjects.The curriculum is tailored to meet the needs of each individual.

Our highly committed, professional staff, work together to provide an exciting, engaging and ever evolving curriculum to meet the individual and holistic needs of our young people.  We work collaboratively with families and other professionals to enable our pupils to achieve their potential.  We create a welcoming and respectful environment, where we recognise abilities not disabilities, we are reflective and always strive for further improvement for our young people.

We all have a positive approach towards encouraging achievement and good behaviour. Visitors to the school constantly comment on the wonderful atmosphere throughout the school and we hope you can sense this on our website.

Forest Way is a co-educational day area special school for 279 pupils aged 4-19 years old. They have a wide range of needs from moderate learning disabilities to profound and multiple learning difficulties. 

Pupils are grouped according to age in 24 mixed ability class groups. The staffing ratio is a minimum of 1 adult to 3 pupils. Each pupil has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and individual needs are met by grouping across the timetable.

In January 2009 we moved into a brand new purpose built school which we believe is one of the best buildings in the country. This was supported in June 2009 when the school won the Best New Building Award. Staff / governors / parents / carers and pupils were closely involved at all stages of the design and the local community contributed unprecedented support to provide extra facilities and resources. These include state of the art sensory rooms, a swimming pool with light/sound above and below water. There are also specialist rooms for Food Technology, Drama/Music and a Life-Skills Apartment. It has an interactive forest heart and curved corridors with giant woodland pictures on them. The outdoor area includes a woodland, pond, ball court, bike track and exciting play equipment. We became a Forest School in 2011.

We have a specialist autism provision for pupils whose main area of need is Communication and Interaction, and several new classrooms to accommodate our increasing number on role. Some of our Post 16 students attend Stephenson College and others do work experience in the local community.

We provide CPD training to other schools throughout the county and we work in partnership with the University of Derby to train new teachers through the School Direct programme.

Our last three Ofsted inspections highly commended the work of the school and we received the highest grading, Outstanding, on all three occasions. Our latest Ofsted Report is available from the home page. 

You can find photographs and much more information on our website.

Forest Way School aims to reward the efforts and dedication of our staff and do what we can to improve the balance between their work and home life.  We have extensive CPD opportunities for both curriculum and subject areas and we are committed to staff professional development.

We have onsite parking, well-equipped classrooms and IT equipment, beautiful grounds, Forest School sessions, swimming pool and our pupils told Ofsted ‘the staff are kind, friendly and lovely’