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catchment.school

The Forest School Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

The Forest School is an academy special converter not applicable school in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire , serving pupils aged 2-16, with 148 pupils, and a capacity of 127 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

2-16

Age range

148

Pupils

127

Capacity

117%

Fill rate

Requires improvement

Ofsted 2023

The Forest School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for The Forest School?

The catchment area for The Forest School is the geographic zone North Yorkshire uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. North Yorkshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, The Forest School sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with North Yorkshire. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

Currently oversubscribed: 148 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 127 places. Living within the catchment area is especially important for this school.

Not getting a place? Learn how to appeal a school place →

Want the cut-off distance before you apply? Get an alert when North Yorkshire publishes the 2027 The Forest School numbers →

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by North Yorkshire before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find North Yorkshire catchment area documents →

The Forest School: heavily oversubscribed at 117% capacity

The Forest School has a published admission number of 127 places. 148 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 117%. At 117% capacity, the school is heavily oversubscribed. North Yorkshire allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. Living within the catchment area is a strong but not guaranteed advantage, as the last distance offered shrinks each year as applications rise.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 42.6% of pupils at The Forest School are eligible for free school meals, above the national average of around 24%. This reflects the school's role in a higher-deprivation area of Knaresborough.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

North Yorkshire publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. North Yorkshire Council school admissions (official) →

The Forest School: School Information

Full address
Park Lane, Knaresborough, HG5 0DQ
Local authority
North Yorkshire
School type
Academy special converter
Phase of education
Not applicable
Age range
2-16 years
Free school meals
42.6% of pupils
DfE URN
147819

Nearest not applicable schools by distance

These are the not applicable schools closest to The Forest School by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: The Forest School

What is the catchment area for The Forest School?

The catchment area for The Forest School is the geographic zone North Yorkshire uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. North Yorkshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is The Forest School oversubscribed?

Yes, The Forest School currently has 148 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 127 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for The Forest School?

Admission to The Forest School is managed by North Yorkshire. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does The Forest School cover?

The Forest School is a not applicable school in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, serving pupils aged 2-16. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for The Forest School?

The Forest School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted in 2023. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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