Awards and Accreditations

Autism Accreditation

Forestwood School has achieved a national charity award in recognition of its work to improve support for autistic people.

The National Autistic Society’s Autism Specialist Award is for specialist providers in sectors such as education, social care and the justice system.

The National Autistic Society’s Autism Accreditation Programme is the UK’s only autism-specific quality assurance programme of support and development for all those providing services to autistic people.

The CollectivED

The CollectivED: Coaching, Mentoring and Professional Learning in Education award demonstrates the schools commitment to making coaching, mentoring and professional learning a strategic priority for school development. In achieving the award, Forestwood School have established a clear plan, through which they are guiding the whole school community through the process of building the skills and knowledge needed to bring about the whole school improvement in coaching, mentoring and professional learning.

The Rainbow Flag award

The Rainbow Flag award is a quality assurance framework that encourages a whole school approach to LGBTQ inclusion and supports schools in developing strategies to challenge and combat LGBTQ phobic bullying.

The award is broken down into six categories:-

Forestwood School have passed all six and below is a summary of what was demonstrated for each category:-

Skilled Teacher – We have demonstrated that staff, senior leaders and non-teaching staff are able to recognise and consistently challenge and report LGBTQ phobic and that they confidently use positive and appropriate language around LGBTQ identities.

Supportive Governors & Parents – Governors and parents show and understanding of the needs to combat LGBTQ phobia through positive education and representation and know where to go for support and information if needed.

Effective Policies – Policies are in place to address LGBTQ phobia and positively support whole school LGBTQ inclusion.

Inclusive Curriculum – LGBTQ people and identities have been positively represented across all areas of the curriculum. This includes lessons and activities that are LGBTQ inclusive as well as those that are LGBT specific.

Pastoral Support – LGBTQ pupils wishing to explore or express their gender and/or sexuality are given the support they need. Skilled staff from within the school are able to support through signposting and referrals to appropriate local services.

Student Voice – Student led initiatives are valued and support to create an LGBTQ inclusive and positive environment.

Picture News Quiz Advocate School

Forestwood School has been chosen to be a Picture News Quiz Advocate School. Picture News Quiz provides us with the outline for our topics of the week and works with schools across the country to ensure British Values and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child are being taught effectively. Picture News Quiz is a fantastic resource and it’s great that we’ve been recognised for using it well, across the curriculum, and particularly in our weekly Literacy and Numeracy lessons.

Latest from Forestwood School

NEWS

23rd September 2025

Forestwood School awarded prestigious Autism Accreditation

Cygnet are proud to announce that Forestwood School in Bury has been awarded an accreditation from the National Autistic Society.

NEWS

26th August 2025

Cygnet launches expert guide to help parents and young people manage Back-to-School anxiety

Cygnet has produced a practical new resource to help young people and parents recognise the signs of back-to-school anxiety.

Rachel Rix, our new Head of Education, and Stephen Firn, CEO of Healthcare

NEWS

17th June 2025

Cygnet appoints new Head of Education for CAMHS Schools

Cygnet is pleased to announce the appointment of Rachel Rix as our new Head of Education bringing with her a wealth of experience and a long-standing commitment to improving outcomes for young people with additional and complex needs.