Forest View Primary Review 2026: High-performing South Shields primary with a strong reading and belonging culture

A “buddy bench” might sound like a small pastoral detail, but it signals something important here: inclusion is treated as a daily habit, not a slogan. In the most recent inspection cycle, Forest View was recognised as a settled school where pupils feel safe, new starters are welcomed quickly, and routines in Nursery support a smooth step into Reception.

The academic picture is equally clear. Key Stage 2 outcomes place the school well above England averages, and the local ranking suggests it is among the stronger primaries in the South Shields area. Admissions demand is real too, with significantly more applications than offers for the most recent Reception entry route data provided.

Forest View is a state primary serving ages 3 to 11, with Nursery classes, and it operates as a community school in South Tyneside.

Forest View’s modern identity is tied to two things: a merged-school origin and a strong emphasis on belonging. The current establishment opened on 1 September 2011 as the result of an amalgamation, and its predecessor links include Temple Park Junior School, Albert Elliott Primary School, and Temple Park Infants’ School. That matters for families who value stability through transition, because amalgamations can be disruptive initially; here, the longer-term narrative is about coherence and consistency.

The leadership picture is also settled. The head teacher is Mrs Emma Cook, and the governance record shows her serving in post from 1 September 2019. A useful detail for parents is that safeguarding leadership is explicitly defined on the staff listing, with the headteacher named as the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

The most recent inspection commentary supports the sense of calm order. It describes a strong sense of belonging, inclusive social norms, and pupils who enjoy school and are well cared for. It also notes that a relatively high number of pupils join the school at different points in the year, which can be a stress test for routines and culture; the “buddy bench” initiative is given as a concrete example of pupils taking responsibility for helping newcomers settle.

Nursery deserves separate attention because it is not treated as an add-on. The admissions information sets out clear entry points, including Autumn term after a child’s third birthday, plus Spring and Summer intakes subject to spaces. Nursery is described as mornings only, which can suit families seeking a consistent, school-based early years routine rather than wraparound childcare.

Forest View’s Key Stage 2 outcomes are strongest when you look at the combined measures and the scaled scores together.

Overall attainment (Key Stage 2)

In 2024, 94.67% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 62%. This is a very large gap, and it is the kind of measure parents can use when comparing local options on a like-for-like basis. At the higher standard, 34.67% achieved greater depth across reading, writing and mathematics, compared with an England average of 8%.

Scaled scores and subject depth

Reading scaled score is 108, mathematics 107, and grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS) is 112. The pattern suggests consistent strength across core subjects, with particularly strong GPS outcomes.

FindMySchool rankings (based on official data)

Ranked 941st in England and 2nd in South Shields for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking, based on official data). This places the school well above England average, within the top 10% of schools in England.

These outcomes align with the most recent inspection commentary that pupils do well across the school, and that recent published outcomes show an increase in higher standards, particularly in mathematics.

The curriculum story here is best understood as “structured teaching with deliberate enrichment”.

One strand is the focus on reading culture. The school site highlights roles and structures that move beyond “we value reading” statements, including Reading Ambassadors, a Boys Book Club, and an explicit “We Love Reading” strand with recommended books by phase. In practice, this matters because the strongest primaries build reading habit and identity, not just phonics accuracy. The inspection report also notes a well-resourced library and pupils who are enthusiastic readers.

A second strand is the way learning is connected to future pathways, even at primary age. The inspection report references careers learning as central to school life, with pupils learning about jobs they might not otherwise discover. On the school’s wider opportunities pages, this becomes more concrete through employer and university-linked activities such as Primary Futures and STEM workshops, and a careers programme that includes named encounters. One example described is a session linked to transition preparation and coping strategies, with a reported shift in pupil aspirations following the experience.

The third strand is music and the arts. The inspection narrative points to extensive musical equipment and a rich experience of the arts. For parents of children who thrive through performance and participation, that kind of resourcing can be a strong proxy indicator for breadth in a school week.

For a state primary, the key question is how Year 6 pupils are prepared for the move to Year 7, rather than a formal “destination list” (which is rarely published in a quantified way at this phase).

Forest View frames transition as both academic and personal. The inspection narrative describes a curriculum designed to prepare pupils well for secondary education, supported by staff training and resources. In addition, the school’s careers and enrichment activities explicitly link experiences to readiness for secondary school, including building resilience and confidence with new learning environments.

Admissions into Year 7 are managed separately through South Tyneside’s coordinated secondary process. Families considering Forest View in Nursery or Reception should assume a typical pattern: primary years here, then a separate application for secondary transfer later. If you are comparing options, the FindMySchool Local Hub and Comparison Tool can help you line up nearby secondary outcomes alongside practical factors such as travel.

There are two distinct entry routes for many families: Nursery (direct with the school) and Reception (local authority coordinated).

Nursery entry (age 3+)

The school describes Nursery intake points as Autumn term after a child’s third birthday, with additional Spring and Summer entry points depending on space. Nursery is mornings only, 8.45am to 11.45am. Nursery is part of a state school, so eligible government-funded early education hours may apply; families should confirm current entitlements and availability through the school and local authority guidance.

Reception entry (age 4+)

Reception entry is annual, for the Autumn term after a child’s fourth birthday, and applications are coordinated through South Tyneside. The council deadline for September 2026 Reception entry is stated as 4.30pm on Thursday 15 January 2026. Offer notifications for primary places are issued on 16 April (or the next working day if needed), which for 2026 aligns to Thursday 16 April 2026.

Demand and competitiveness

The latest available entry-route demand figures show 37 applications for 21 offers, and the route is labelled oversubscribed, with a subscription proportion of 1.76 applications per place. For parents, the implication is straightforward: a strong school locally, plus competition for places, so applications should be treated as a process to manage carefully rather than a formality.

Where distance criteria apply in a given year, families should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check practical proximity against the allocation rules published for that admissions cycle. (No last-distance figure is published in the data provided for this school, so it is especially important to rely on the official admissions documentation for the year you apply.)

Pastoral practice shows up in routines, peer leadership, and how schools handle churn. Forest View is described as having a settled atmosphere with good behaviour, and it is explicit that routines start early, including in Nursery, to prepare children for Reception. The “buddy bench” example is not just a nice story; it reflects a culture where pupils are expected to notice others and act, which is a practical protective factor for children who find social transitions difficult.

Safeguarding is treated as a priority with clear leadership roles. The 23 and 24 April 2024 Ofsted inspection confirmed the school remained Good, and that safeguarding arrangements were effective.

Extracurricular life is most persuasive when it is specific. Forest View publishes concrete examples rather than generic lists, and several programmes stand out because they reinforce the school’s wider aims.

Reading and pupil responsibility

Reading Ambassadors and the Boys Book Club sit alongside a wider “We Love Reading” strand. The implication is that reading is positioned as social and shared, not just an individual skill, which often correlates with stronger progress for reluctant readers.

Leadership roles and contribution

The school highlights structured pupil roles such as Digital Leaders, Sports Leaders, and a combined School Council and Eco School Committee, plus Yard Buddies. These roles typically matter most for upper key stage pupils, giving children a route to status that is not purely academic or sporty.

Clubs that rotate by term

A published example schedule for Autumn 2 2025 includes Choir, Podcast Club, Yoga, Multi-Skills, and separate boys’ and girls’ football sessions, with sessions running after school into the late afternoon. This is useful because it shows both breadth and intentional variety, including activities that suit pupils who do not identify as “team sport” children.

Breakfast provision as a practical support

The school describes a free Breakfast Club for Reception to Year 6, sponsored by Greggs, with doors opening at 7.45am and last entry at 8.20am. For working families, this can be as influential as any academic feature, particularly when it is stable and well-structured.

School day structure

Doors open at 8.45am and close at 8.55am. Morning break is 10.30am to 10.45am. End of day is 3.20pm for Reception and Key Stage 1, and 3.30pm for Key Stage 2.

Nursery hours

Nursery is described as mornings only, 8.45am to 11.45am.

Breakfast provision

Breakfast Club is described as free for Reception to Year 6, with a 7.45am opening and 8.20am last entry.

After-school care

After-school clubs are published by term, but formal wraparound childcare (paid after-school care to early evening) is not clearly stated in the published information reviewed. Families who need childcare beyond club finish times should confirm directly with the school.

Travel and arrival

As with most urban primary schools, arrival and collection are likely to be driven by walking routes, short car trips, and local transport. Families should sanity-check journey time at the times they will actually travel, especially if considering Breakfast Club or after-school activities.

• Competition for Reception places. Recent demand data indicates oversubscription, with more applications than offers. For families without a strong priority category, it is sensible to have at least one realistic alternative on the application.

• Nursery structure may not fit every working pattern. Nursery is described as mornings only. This can work well for some families and be difficult for others without supplementary childcare.

• High pupil mobility can create classroom churn. The inspection narrative notes that a relatively high number of pupils join at different points in the year. The school’s response appears proactive, but families of children who find change unsettling may want to ask how classes support mid-year starters and friendship integration.

• After-school clubs are not the same as wraparound care. Clubs are published and varied, but families needing guaranteed childcare coverage should confirm how late, and how consistently, provision runs across the year.

Forest View Primary combines a genuinely inclusive culture with academic outcomes that sit well above England averages. The school’s strengths show up in practical details, strong routines from Nursery, a clear reading identity, and structured opportunities that build responsibility.

Best suited to families seeking a state primary in South Shields with strong Key Stage 2 outcomes, a clear emphasis on belonging, and practical supports such as Breakfast Club. The main constraint is admission demand, so shortlisting should be organised early and backed by a realistic plan B.