If you’re a parent about to buy or rent a property in southeast London, then the quality of schools in the area is an important factor to consider. Which Forest Hill school could you send your children to, and is it a good one? What are schools in Forest Hill like, and how many options do you have?
This guide to Forest Hill primary schools, secondary schools, private schools and SEND schools will ensure you know what standard and type of education you can expect when sending children to one of the schools in Forest Hill.
Nine Forest Hill schools are covered, so there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re seeking establishments in the public or private sectors, or if your child has a special educational need or disability, the schools in Forest Hill meet the mark.
Read on to discover all you should know about schools in Forest Hill, London.
Forest Hill Montessori
1 Rojack Road, London SE23 2DF
- Type: private day care nursery
- Ages: three months to five years
Forest Hill Montessori is ideally situated for those commuting into London daily as it’s close to the mainline train station in Forest Hill. This private day care facility is open between 7:30am and 6:30pm daily, giving you an 11 hour window each weekday.
The nursery is on the Ofsted Early Years Register and as such adheres to stringent standards for early years provision and the foundation stage. As with all Montessori schools, the ethos is to create a secure, serene and stimulating environment within which all children flourish.
Kindergarten Forest Hill
50 Dacres Road, London, SE23 2NR
- Type: bilingual German/English kindergarten
- Ages: two years to five years
Kindergarten Forest Hill offers a bilingual curriculum to children aged between two and five years. There is a strong focus on outdoor learning here, with free flow between the classroom and the generously sized, thoughtfully set-up garden. For those who want their children to have an early start in learning a language other than English, this kindergarten is ideal.
Provision is available between Monday and Thursday from 8am to 6pm. Do note that this Forest Hill pre-school is closed on Fridays. For four days a week, children here can enjoy a safe sense of belonging while their individual personality is encouraged to blossom.
Kilmorie Primary School
Kilmorie Road, London SE23 2SP
- Type: mixed primary school
- Ages: two years to 11 years
Though it’s a primary school, Kilmorie can also accommodate children as young as two. So it’s ideal for working parents. The school is located on the road of the same name and is in a convenient location to get to both Forest Hill and Catford stations.
This state primary school is one of the finest in south east London and is keen to nurture a real love of learning among its pupils. Ofsted gave Kilmorie an Outstanding rating during its inspection in 2017, so you can be confident your children are in good hands here.
Eliot Bank Primary School
Thorpewood Avenue, London SE26 4BU
Type: mixed primary school
- Ages: three years to 11 years
This primary school positioned between Sydenham and Forest Hill is currently rated Outstanding by Ofsted, a new inspection is currently due. It is largely oversubscribed so finding a property close to the catchment is necessary.
As a community school, admissions are controlled by LB Lewisham and their website will keep up to date postings with regards to open mornings and admissions.
Rathfern Primary School
Rathfern Road, London SE6 4NL
- Type: mixed primary school
- Ages: four years to 11 years
This primary school positioned between Catford and Forest Hill stations is also currently rated Outstanding by Ofsted, following a 2021 inspection. It’s a multicultural learning environment here, with over 40% of pupils for whom English is not their first language.
Open mornings are held regularly here and visits are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The school is a relatively large London primary school with two or three classes for each year group.
Brent Knoll School
Perry Rise, London SE23 2QU
- Type: special educational needs and disability (SEND) school
- Ages: four years to 16 years
Brent Knoll is perfectly placed for Forest Hill, Sydenham and Bellingham residents and was rated Good by Ofsted in 2019. This SEND school for children is a co-operative trust.
Pupils aged between four and 16 can study here, so both the primary and secondary stages are covered. Programmes operated at Brent Knoll are aimed at developing literacy, numeracy and social skills, while encouraging positive behaviour and strong self-esteem in its pupils.
Forest Hill School
Dacres Road, London SE23 2XN
- Type: boys’ secondary comprehensive school
- Ages: 11 years to 18 years
Forest Hill School and Sydenham School provide, between them, secondary education for boys and girls respectively. Both schools can be found within the London Borough of Lewisham, and the boys’ school is situated on Dacres Road, between Forest Hill and Sydenham mainline train stations.
There are just two secondary schools across the country with Stonewall Gold status, and Forest Hill School is one of them. This an accolade given in recognition of the establishment’s support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual trans, queer, questioning, non-binary and ace (LGBTQ+) community.
Sydenham School
Dartmouth Road, London SE26 4RD
- Type: girls’ secondary comprehensive school
- Ages: 11 years to 18 years
Sydenham School is a secondary school for girls on Dartmouth Road. This lies to the other side of the train tracks to Forest Hill School for boys, though the two schools are run in federation with one another.
The motto at Sydenham School for girls is ‘aim high’ and the curriculum is underpinned by the High Performance Learning Philosophy. As well as academic achievement, the school intends to develop responsible global citizens who are creative, confident, innovative and independent.
Between the schools of Sydenham and Forest Hill there is SFH6, a joint sixth form that has been providing post-16 education in the area for over 50 years.
St Dunstan’s College
Stanstead Road, London SE6 4TY
- Type: independent mixed school
- Ages: three years to 18 years
St Dunstan’s College is an option whether you’re seeking primary schools in Forest Hill or secondary education in the area. Accepting pupils aged between three and 18, this is an independent educational establishment situated on Stanstead Road in nearby Catford.
This fee-paying college is an innovative school keen to prepare your child for whatever their future may hold. St Dunstan’s is a registered charity and offers bursaries and scholarships for children at the 11+ and 16+ stages. The ambitious school is a member of the Independent Association of Prep School Heads and the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference.
Do you have any more questions about what life in Forest Hill is like? Talk to a reliable Forest Hill estate agent and find out all you need to know.