Your First Day

Term starts for Year 7 students on Wednesday 2 September 2026 from 8.30am.

The Forest Family Breakfast

We understand that the first day at secondary school is a milestone to be celebrated for parents/ carers, students and staff. We therefore invite all of our new Year 7 students to join us in school with their parents/ carers for a celebratory welcome family breakfast from 8.30am.

Our ‘Forest Family Breakfast’ is an informal event where key members of staff will welcome you and your child into our family to wish them the very best at the start of their new educational journey.  We offer a variety of breakfast choices and the breakfast is provided to all who attend free of charge.

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First Day Schedule

On the first day back Year 7 students will be in school with Year 11 students joining later the same day.  All other year groups will return on the following day.

Your first day will involve some extended time with your tutor to:

  • Get registered
  • Receive your timetable
  • Receive a school map
  • Assign your locker (optional)
  • Register you for the cashless catering system
  • Have a tour of key areas of the school

Following an extended lunch break, the Year 7 students will attend a couple of lessons in the afternoon and the day will finish at the usual time of 3pm.

The next day students will go directly to their tutor room for tutor time at 8.30am and will then begin to follow their new timetable.

Timings of the School Day

8:00 - 8:30 - Breakfast Club (Canteen) or Homework Club (Library)

8:30 - 9:00 - Tutor Time / Assembly

9:00 - 10:00 - Lesson 1

10:00 - 11:00 - Lesson 2

11:00 - 11:30 - Break Time

11:30 - 12:30 - Lesson 3

12:30 - 13:30 - Lesson 4

13:30 - 14:00 - Lunch Break*

14:00 - 15:00 - Lesson 5

15:00 - End of the school day

15:00 - 16:00 - After school clubs

15:00 - 16:00 - Homework club (Library)

*Please note: For the first 2 weeks of their first term, Year 7 gets an extended lunch break from 13:00 - 14:00 to support their settling in process.

Example Timetable

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A typical Lesson at Forest

  • Each lesson you have will be in a different room, depending on the teacher and subject. This is detailed on your timetable.  You will also need to make sure that you have any books or equipment that you need.
  • All students line up outside the classroom and wait to be invited in by the teacher, who will greet you at the door.
  • We call the teachers Sir or Ma’am here. 
  • Most of the rooms have a layout and appearance that is very similar to what you're used to.
  • Some rooms will be quite different, such as the Technology, Science and Art rooms, where there is special equipment and furniture.
  • The register is taken at the start of each lesson.
  • Teachers use an interactive whiteboard and they show pictures, diagrams and videos to help you with your understanding. There are also visualisers which they use to demonstrate a task or to show excellent examples of work. 
  • You will complete a variety of tasks, just as you are used to. These may be discussions, practical or written work. 
  • The teacher will expect you to always do your best, and will give you praise and merits to reward your hard work.