Forest London
Forest is an independent day school located on the edge of Epping Forest for pupils aged 4 to 18.
Get your personalised Fit Score — tell us about your child to see how well this school matches your priorities.
Our take
Independent co-ed all-through school in Waltham Forest for ages 4–18. Selective entry, C of E ethos, top-tier London fees.
- Families wanting one school across the whole journey (ages 4–18) rather than separate prep + senior.
- Families who prefer a co-educational setting over single-sex.
- Families who value a C of E ethos in school life.
- Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.
- Families comfortable with top-tier London independent fees in exchange for the level of provision.
- Fees sit at the top of the London market. Factor in extras (uniform, trips, lunches, music tuition) before committing.
- Selective entry — assume some form of assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early if needed.
- The C of E ethos shapes assemblies, holidays and pastoral life. Comfortable for committed families; worth thinking about for those of other or no faith.
About the head
“In Pectore Robur”
Forest School puts the individual child at the centre of all it does and promotes a clear set of values, which underpin the Forest culture.
Distinctive features
all-through 4-18
Extended Project Qualification
super-curriculum
Forest Personal Development curriculum
14 Houses system
extensive co-curricular programme
situated in London with 50 acres grounds
state-of-the-art Sixth Form facilities
arts and sports excellence
large and diverse community
Activities & co-curricular
sport
music
drama
academic club
Facilities
sports
arts
academic
wellbeing
Latest exam results
In 2025, and . and UK Top 10 universities, with around . GCSE top grades included and
Recent coverage
Forest School in London has achieved notable milestones between 2024 and 2026: Academic Excellence: In the 2024 A-Level exams, 59% of grades were A/A*, with nearly 23% at A*, and at least 15 students achieved A*A*A* or better. Leadership Appointment: Claire Tao was appointed as the new Warden, effective September 2025, succeeding Marcus Cliff Hodges after his 20-year tenure. Facilities Enhancement: The school completed the rebuild of its Preparatory School, featuring a new rooftop play area, 50 years after the original was founded in 1970. Inspection Results: An Independent Schools Inspectorate report from September 2024 confirmed that all standards were met, with early years identified as a particular strength. These developments underscore Forest School's commitment to academic excellence, strong leadership, and continuous improvement in facilities and standards.
Open-day dates not yet published
Save this school and we'll email you the moment open-day booking goes live.
How well does Forest London match?
Tell us your child's age, location, needs and entry point. We'll score commute, academics, support, budget and culture against schools in Waltham Forest.
Check fit for my childApplication timeline
4 of 5 admissions stages have confirmed dates. Save this school to be notified when dates are published.
| Year | Opens | Closes | Reply by | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | 1 Sept 2025 | 15 Jan 2026 | TBC | Closed |
| 2027-28 | TBC | 22 Sept 2026 | 3 Nov 2026 | Tbc |
Open events
Private tours and additional visits available by arrangement — contact admissions to arrange.
Talks & tasters
| Tue, 24 Nov 2026 | 7+ Open Mornings | Open Morning |
Fees
Bursaries & Scholarships
Excerpts
“Children are ‘at the centre of all \[the school] does,’ says the school, confirmed by parents.”
Pastoral care, inclusivity & disciplineChildren are ‘at the centre of all \[the school] does,’ says the school, confirmed by parents. Prep pupils eat in the main dining hall and are mentored by senior school pupils at break, while years 7 and 8 pupils have many of their lessons in the same Mobile phone policy A clear...
Wellbeing
Forest School's pastoral care ethos places wellbeing at the heart of school life, with dedicated pastoral structures in both the Prep and Senior Schools. The school operates a house system that provides pastoral support and pupil leadership opportunities across all age groups. Forest partners with Place2Be to support student mental health and wellbeing, and maintains a comprehensive pastoral care framework that includes faith and belief support through the school chapel.
Inspection
Isi — 24 Sept 2024
One inspection report on file. Worth reading before booking a visit — covers safeguarding, leadership and overall standard.
Term dates 2026-27
Policies & documents
Schools like Forest London
Ranked by semantic similarity across curriculum, ethos, intake and admissions style. Most parents shortlist 4–6 schools before applying.
Questions parents ask
Common questions about Forest London, answered from this school’s structured profile data. Always confirm specifics with admissions before applying.
What kind of child is Forest London best for?+
Independent co-ed all-through school in Waltham Forest for ages 4–18. Selective entry, C of E ethos, top-tier London fees.
How does admissions work?+
Admissions are selective — expect an entrance assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early. See the admissions timeline above for confirmed dates.
Are fees published?+
Yes — see the Fees table further down the page. Add extras (uniform, trips, lunches, music tuition, registration fees) on top of the base figure before budgeting.
Does the school support SEND?+
Some SEND provision is documented in our profile, but specific conditions supported aren't itemised. Contact admissions for details before applying.
Are there open days?+
9 upcoming open days or tours — see the admissions timeline. Booking is usually required.
How do I contact admissions?+
phone on 020 8520 1744 or the registrars listed in the contact card. Reference your child's age and intended entry year in the first message.
What similar schools should I compare?+
We've ranked 6 schools by semantic similarity to Forest London — see the "Schools like Forest London" grid below. Most parents shortlist 4–6 schools before applying.
Reviews
No reviews yet.