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Horsham school opinions - Bohunt Vs. Forest

2 replies

qwerty7a · 05/10/2026 14:22

Hi, any opinions on secondary schools in Horsham? I have been to local open evening as well as morning and would like to have a better insights for both Bohunt Horsham & The Forest School. While Bohunt facilities look great, I had the feeling discipline is very strict and kids did not look happy as to share their real feelings when chatting with them. While I promote respect, discipline and study, I would also like any secondary school to be a place where a kid - even more in the teenager years - do not feel so much under pressure and avoid expressing her/himself. Forest looked more 'family' oriented, but I understand GSCE results have historically been low. And as with any schools, there are positive and negative comments, so it would be great if someone could share their opinions please? Also looked at Tanbridge, however we weren't impressed with it. Thank you in advance!

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ScepticalWithoutProof · 06/10/2026 09:56

Bohunt being strict does seem to be their thing tbh, their last Ofsted (Oct 2023) rated behaviour and attitudes Outstanding so the very structured feel you picked up probably wasn't a one off. Some kids really like knowing exactly where they stand, some find it a lot. If you can get back in on a normal school day rather than an open evening it gives you a much better feel for how relaxed the kids actually are, and ask what Y7 homework and detentions are really like.
For Forest's results I'd look them up side by side on the gov compare school performance site rather than going on what people say. Progress 8 isn't published for this year or last (the covid KS2 thing) so look at the 2024 progress figure as well as the raw grades, raw results partly just reflect who goes there. Also check which catchment you're in on the West Sussex admissions pages, deadline's end of October so not long now.

qwerty7a · 06/10/2026 14:02

Thank you very much @ScepticalWithoutProof for taking the time to share your view. It's a difficult decision, and I heard very good things about both schools - so I guess time will tell! Thanks again, if anyone else would like to share his/her view please would be very appreciated!

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