Forest Hill School Explained

Forest Hill School
Established:1956
Head:Michael Sullivan
Coordinates:51.4318°N -0.0477°W
Enrolment:1098
Enrollment As Of:2023-2024
Sixth Form Students:231
Ofsted:yes
Urn:100745
Gender:Boys (Girls in Sixth Form)
Houses:Ofosu-Asare (Red)
Turing (Yellow)
Parks (Blue)
Tull (Green)
Lower Age:11
Upper Age:18

Forest Hill School is a boys' secondary school and sixth form located in Forest Hill, in the London Borough of Lewisham. The school is in federation with the girls' secondary, Sydenham School, which is nearby.

In 2005 the school was given Performing Arts status for its Drama, Dance, Music and Art courses and currently has a silver artsmark from the English Arts Council.[1] [2] The school has an Investors in People award, and in October 2021, it became the first school in London to receive the Stonewall School Champion Gold award.

As of late 2023, 1098 students were enrolled at the school, including 219 enrolled in the sixth form.[3] This was down from 1255, including 231 sixth form students, in late 2021.[4]

History

Forest Hill Comprehensive School opened in September 1956. It was built on the site of St. Magnus, a large house that was the home of Baron Johann Knoop from 1870 and 1900. In the Second World War it became a Heavy Recovery Centre, dealing with bomb damage. After the War it fell into disrepair.

The School was a flagship of the London County Council's new policy of building comprehensive schools that aimed to breakdown the previous national policy of selecting children, largely on 11-plus results, to attend grammar, technical or secondary modern schools. It eventually grew to around 1,500 boys.

The first head teacher was Alexander E. Howard, who was a leading national figure in technical education.[5] In its early years the school attracted considerable interest from educationalists. The following is a report of a visit to the school in July 1957 by the American educationalist Flaud C. Wooton.

The academic quality of the early cadre of teachers is indicated by the careers that some went on to. Paul Ashbee became Professor of Archaeology at the University of Anglia. Laurie Taylor (sociologist) taught English and Drama and went on to a distinguished career in Sociology and broadcasting. Brian Brookes, who taught botany, went on to become a leading naturalist, with expertise in the plants of the Scottish Highlands, and an environmental consultant, being awarded the MBE in 1983 for his services to education.[6] David Stanbury, who taught Biology and became the School's third Headmaster, researched and wrote on Robert Fitzroy, the captain of, on which Charles Darwin was naturalist.[7] Christ's College Cambridge holds a collection of Stanbury's papers.[8] The historian Al Richardson also taught at the school for 30 years.[9]

The School attracted press attention with many of its activities in the 1960s.[10] In 1962, the School organised a trip to the United States, which the Daily Mirror headlined: 'An Exceptional School ... With Exceptional Boys: 76 Ambassadors from London SE23'.[11] It was described as "a grammar, technical, commercial, central and modern school – all in one", with one boy quoted as saying "None of the boys would change Forest Hill School for Eton." The school also had its own film unit and produced feature-length films including Twenty Four Hundred Pennies (1962)[12] and The Custard Boys (1979)[13] which starred pupils and staff from the school.

In 2016 the school was forced to cut costs by an annual £1.3M, as funding had been cut as part of a political decision at Westminster.[14] The school has since stabilised its financial situation.

Current

In 2005 the school was given Performing Arts status for its Drama, Dance, Music and Art courses. The school has an Investors in People award, and in October 2021, it became the first school in London to receive the Stonewall School Champion Gold award.[15] [16] [17]

Houses

The four houses of Forest Hill were named after famous people of the 16th, 17th, 18th and early 20th centuries. Originally there were six houses, but two were later dropped: Browning and Newton. When there were six houses, Browning's house colour was red, Drake's dark blue, Reynold's light blue and Newton's maroon. The houses went on to become Drake (Red), Harvey (Yellow), Reynolds (light blue) and Shackleton (dark green).

Following a review process that began in October 2019, the school decided to update the names to reflect the diversity of the school and the surrounding community, as well as modern values.[18] A selection process, which included consultations with students, resulted in four new figures being selected as the house names. These were: Ofosu-Asare (formerly Drake), named after Kwame Ofosu-Asare, a former student of the school who was killed in a knife crime due to mistaken identity in 2012,[19] [20] Turing (formerly Harvey), Parks (formerly Reynolds) and Tull (formerly Shackleton). These changes were put into effect in September 2020.

Redevelopment

Sports Hall

In 2006 the school's new £4.5M state-of-the-art sports facility was opened with lottery funding and help with Sport England and The FA Charter Standard Schools Program.[21] The facility features a large air conditioned sports hall with basketball nets, indoor cricket, indoor football markings and goals and a scoreboard. The other part of the gym includes a fitness suite, cafè, space for trampolining and table tennis, new changing room facilities with showers and also two of the old three gyms. The sports centre opened on top of Gym 3, but was also expanded towards Bampton Road on the other side of the school.

Main building

The school began a major redevelopment project in July 2006 which completed in January 2008.[22] The only part of the school which remains unchanged is the current art block, which was built recently. The rest of the school was demolished and rebuilt from the ground up with the three-floor plan changed to a higher four-story building. The new school building now features a large atrium which can also act as a fully functioning theatre, two fully equipped drama rooms, a separate theatre, a fully equipped music department with a Recording studio and a Mac computer room. There is also a dance studio with sprung floors, mirrors, and a 600 watt speaker system.

Notable people educated at Forest Hill School

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.specialistschools.org.uk/ Specialist Schools and Academies Trust
  2. http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/artsmark/ Artsmark
  3. Inspection of Forest Hill School . Hamlyn . Bob . Drysdale . Rebecca . 2024-02-02 . Swidenbank . Heidi . Jordan . Mark . Okolo-Angus . Ogugua . 2024-06-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240306190756/https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50239011 . 2024-03-06 . live.
  4. Inspection of Forest Hill School . Quaye . Jeffery . Southworth . Mark . 2022-02-08 . Kennedy . Rosemarie . Clemens . Nigel . Maguire . Susan . 2022-09-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220901141832/https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50177292 . 2022-09-01 . live.
  5. A.E. Howard, 'Technical Subjects in Secondary Schools', Education + Training, 1 (1959), 7–9, doi: 10.1108/eb001539
  6. A. Burns, 'Obituary: Brian Brookes', Watsonia, 24 (2001), 125–6; M Lawley, 'Brian Sydney Brookes', Journal of Bryology, 23 (2001) 345-345, DOI: 10.1179/jbr.2001.23.4.345
  7. D. Stanbury, A Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S.Beagle, London: Folio Society, 1977.
  8. Web site: Roper . Amelie . 2017-01-05 . College Archives . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170426061420/https://www.christs.cam.ac.uk/current-students/college-archives . 2017-04-26 . Christ's College Cambridge.
  9. News: McIlroy . John . Al Richardson: Teacher on a quest for the history of British Trotskyism . 24 April 2024 . 24 January 2004.
  10. 'Full Marks ... for "all-in" schools', Daily Mirror, 24 October 1961; 'Royal Cruise for 5 Boys and a Girl', Daily Mirror, 17 April 1965, 3.
  11. News: Scott . Dixon . 1962-08-17 . 76 Ambassadors from London SE23 . 10–11 . Daily Mirror.
  12. Web site: Twenty Four Hundred Pennies (1962). 2021-08-03. BFI. en. 3 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210803061012/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8908289a. dead.
  13. Web site: Twenty Four Hundred Pennies (1962). 2021-08-03. BFI. en. 3 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210803061012/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8908289a. dead.
  14. News: One out, all out! The school where cuts are pushing teachers to the brink. Weale. Sally. 18 July 2017. The Guardian. 22 July 2017. 21 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170721144431/https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/jul/18/one-out-all-out-london-school-pushing-teachers-to-brink-forest-hill-lewisham. live.
  15. Web site: 2021-10-12. Forest Hill School wins Stonewall School Champion Gold award. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211013074211/https://lewisham.gov.uk/articles/news/forest-hill-school-wins-stonewall-gold-award. 2021-10-13. 2021-11-17. Lewisham Council. en.
  16. Web site: O'Byrne Mulligan. Euan. 2021-11-15. Forest Hill boys' school wins top award for LGBTQ+ inclusion work. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211117173755/https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/19650035.forest-hill-school-wins-top-award-lgbtq-inclusion-work/. 2021-11-17. 2021-11-17. News Shopper. en.
  17. Web site: 2021-11-13. Forest Hill School becomes only school in London to win prestigious LGBTQ+ award – Education Today. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211013105424/https://www.education-today.co.uk/forest-hill-school-becomes-only-school-in-london-to-win-prestigious-lgbtq-award/. 2021-10-13. 2021-11-17. Education Today.
  18. Web site: School Houses . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220830174635/https://foresthill.lewisham.sch.uk/school-houses/ . 2022-08-30 . 2020-10-04 . Forest Hill School . en.
  19. News: 2012-11-27. Kwame Ofosu-Asare death trial: Innocent teen 'caught in gang feud'. en-GB. BBC News. 2020-10-04. 7 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201007234728/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20509292. live.
  20. News: 2012-12-18 . Two teenagers get life sentences for murdering innocent schoolboy . 2024-01-12 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077 . Associated Press.
  21. Web site: TheFA.com – Charter Standard Schools . 27 May 2007 . 28 January 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080128025302/http://www.thefa.com/GrassrootsNew/CharterStandard/School . live .
  22. Web site: Forest Hill School, Specialist School in Performing Arts. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070124153440/http://www.foresthill.lewisham.sch.uk/new_build_gal.asp. 2007-01-24.
  23. News: 1962-09-18 . YOUNGEST EVER TO HOLD BLACK BELT . 9 . Lewisham Borough News . limited . 2023-09-30 . Then came his chance to go to Japan while still a pupil at the Forest Hill Comprehensive School. . British Newspaper Archive.
  24. Web site: Brian Albert Thomas Jacks Biography, Olympic Medals, Records and Age . live . https://archive.today/20230930142921/https://olympics.com/en/athletes/brian-albert-thomas-jacks . 2023-09-30 . 2023-09-30 . Olympics.com.
  25. News: 5 November 2004 . Superstars: A brief history . BBC . live . 19 October 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230930143613/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/superstars/3091096.stm . 2023-09-30.
  26. Web site: Smale . Kelly . 2010-06-07 . FOREST HILL: Twist and Pulse claim second spot on Britain's Got Talent . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220830173633/https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/8205558.forest-hill-twist-and-pulse-claim-second-spot-on-britains-got-talent/ . 2022-08-30 . 2022-08-30 . News Shopper . en . Glen, who previously attended Forest Hill Boys School in Dacres Road, Forest Hill, works as a professional dancer and choreographer, teaching in various schools..
  27. Book: Courtney, Dave . Stop the Ride I Want to Get Off: An Autobiography . . 1999 . 9780753504628 . 17 . Internet Archive.
  28. Web site: Dave Courtney reformed gangster avoids jail possessing single bullet . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090507114938/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Reformed-gangster-Dave-Courtney-escapes-jail/article-629116-detail/article.html . 7 May 2009 . 19 August 2015 . Bristol Post.
  29. Web site: BBC News – UK – Reggie Kray dies . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240111232021/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/951580.stm . 2024-01-11 . 19 August 2015 . bbc.co.uk.
  30. News: Hodgkinson . Will . Will Hodgkinson . 2018-09-19 . King Krule: 'The Ooz is an album for weirdos like me' . en . . live . 2023-04-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230414155653/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/king-krule-the-ooz-is-an-album-for-weirdos-like-me-x0vtnk7wf . 2023-04-14 . 0140-0460 . Marshall went to a variety of schools including Forest Hill boys' school and the Brit School in Croydon, but he wasn't exactly an ideal pupil and ended up doing a stint in a referral unit for excluded children..
  31. News: Lamont . Tom . 2016-01-24 . King Krule: 'We're two halves of a puzzle' . en-GB . . live . 2023-04-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230414162037/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jan/24/king-krule-two-halves-of-a-puzzle . 2023-04-14 . 0029-7712 . When he turned 13, Archy started to have difficulties at his secondary in Forest Hill, difficulties, by the sound of it, that stemmed from his never being there..
  32. Web site: 24 July 2020 . How did Joe Gomez become a Premier League champion? We asked his PE teacher . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211116162954/https://lewisham.gov.uk/articles/blogs/interview-with-kris-hollidge . 16 November 2021 . 16 November 2021 . . Liverpool FC and England footballer Joe Gomez, is a former pupil at Forest Hill School and Lewisham resident and is currently celebrating winning the Premier League for the first time..
  33. Web site: 2024-01-13 . Junior mentor backing Joe Gomez for big Liverpool season - Tribal Football . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240113212041/https://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/junior-mentor-backing-joe-gomez-for-big-liverpool-season-4135377 . 2024-01-13 . 2024-01-13 . www.tribalfootball.com . His former football coach at Forest Hill School, Gary Taylor, is looking forward to seeing him back in action..
  34. Web site: Forest Hill's Emmanuel Olaniyan, 15, becomes Young Mayor of Lewisham. News Shopper. 18 October 2013 . 6 October 2020. 1 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170801031918/http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/10748979.Forest_Hill_s_Emmanuel_Olaniyan__15__becomes_Young_Mayor_of_Lewisham/. live.
  35. News: Hester. Lacey. 13 June 2014. Interview with Sean Scully. Have you ever taken an IQ test?. Financial Times. 6 October 2020. 20 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210820221034/https://www.ft.com/content/78d86bba-f0f8-11e3-8f3d-00144feabdc0. live.
  36. Web site: 2018-08-10 . The Shouting Men: A chance to shine . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220830130013/https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/the-shouting-men-a-chance-to-shine-187688/ . 2022-08-30 . 2022-08-30 . Kent Online . en . My school, Forest Hill, had a lot of footballers in it too, the likes of Joe Gomez (Liverpool) and Kasey Palmer (Chelsea)..
  37. Web site: 23 July 2003 . Ellington is golden boy who Don good . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220901152940/https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/othersport/395979.ellington-is-golden-boy-who-don-good/ . 2022-09-01 . 2021-01-15 . News Shopper . en . Outstanding among those victories and easily voted the performance of the meeting, was that of James Ellington, who is 18 and attends Forest Hill School..
  38. Web site: 2019-07-13 . Sam Wilkinson through to live semi-final of The Voice Kids – and to star in his Forest Hill school’s talent show . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240113175055/https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sam-wilkinson-through-to-live-semi-final-of-the-voice-kids-and-to-star-in-his-forest-hill-schools-talent-show/ . 2024-01-13 . 2024-01-13 . . en-GB.
  39. News: 2019-07-28 . The Voice Kids 2019: The winner is Sam Wilkinson . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240113175114/https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/49142876 . 2024-01-13 . 2024-01-13 . . en-GB.
  40. Web site: Tutton . Charlotte . 2019-07-27 . The Voice Kids 2019 winner revealed as Sam Wilkinson named champion during final . live . https://archive.today/20240113180125/https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/who-won-voice-kids-2019-18789044 . 2024-01-13 . 2024-01-13 . . en.