Head’s Welcome

I am very proud to be welcoming you as Headteacher to Heart of the Forest Community Special School, a specialist educational setting within the heart of the Royal Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.

Heart of the Forest is a warm and vibrant special school where every pupil is valued and all achievements are celebrated. Our school is a local authority maintained special school providing the very best inclusive education for approximately one hundred pupils aged 2 years to 19 years of age. We offer a bold and brave curriculum for pupils who have MALD (Moderate Additional Learning Difficulties), SLD (Severe Learning Difficulties) and PMLD (Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties). Places are allocated by Gloucestershire County Council and admission is at any age phase, from other specialist settings or mainstream schools for pupils who have an EHCP (Education Health Care Plan).

We aim to prepare our pupils for the wider world through a progressive and personalised teaching and learning journey that responds dynamically to the needs of each pupil, supporting, nurturing, encouraging independence and having fun along the way.

We are fortunate to be surrounded by the most magnificent landscape and the opportunity to immerse our learners within ancient woodland is a daily luxury. Our specialist facilities are situated within mixed architecture, combining modern, light and spacious classrooms with historic buildings within extensive grounds.

In addition to an excellent learning environment, our pupils benefit from small class groups, focussed provision, a range of therapies and specialist teaching and support staff. Our on-site School Nurse and Family Liaison Worker ensure that any medical and pastoral needs are met in addition to access to Speech, Occupational and Physiotherapists. Our aims for our pupils are aspirational and excellent care is central to everything that we do at Heart of the Forest.

If you would like to know more about our unique setting, please contact myself directly, or our admin team to arrange a visit and we will enjoy sharing our school with you.

Stephanie Withington

Headteacher

head@hofschool.co.uk