The future of Forest High School in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, remains uncertain as talks proceed about transferring the school to a different educational trust. Currently managed by South Gloucestershire and Stroud Academy Trust (SGS), the school has been identified as needing urgent repairs due to its deteriorating condition.
Discussions are underway between SGS and Greenshaw Learning Trust, which operates Five Acres High School near Coleford. Greenshaw is reportedly considering taking over Forest High School, potentially paving the way for the construction of a new school building by 2030.
SGS trustees are expected to vote on the matter this month, while local residents and community leaders advocate strongly for investment. Over 700 people have signed a petition initiated by Forest of Dean MP Matt Bishop, demanding government funding to replace the ageing school facilities.
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In his petition, MP Bishop highlighted serious concerns about the school’s current infrastructure, emphasizing the need for urgent repairs to ensure student and staff safety. “Students and teachers deserve to learn and work in a safe, modern, and inspiring environment,” he said. “The current situation is unacceptable and risks failing an entire generation of young people in our area.”
The petition urges immediate funding approval and collaborative efforts with local authorities to secure Forest High’s long-term future, ensuring that children in Cinderford and the Forest of Dean have equal access to quality education and facilities as their peers nationwide.
“Our children deserve better,” the petition declares. “Children in Cinderford and the Forest of Dean deserve better. Save Forest High School.”
Both SGS and Greenshaw Learning Trust have been contacted for comment. A spokesperson for SGS stated, “The Trust has been working with the Department for Education on the future of the schools in the trust and at this stage no formal decisions have been made. The Trust has been investing in the school site to provide the best education for children and there is no plan to relocate the children in the school to a different site.”