Founded in 1834 as a boys' school, The Forest Proprietary School. It became Forest School in 1847 and has a big campus in an open part of Epping Forest. Girls were first accepted in 1981 and, although they share the same campus, boys and girls are taught separately between the ages of 7 and 16; the sixth form is co-educational. Around the original Georgian building are many additions, including a theatre, large computer centre, new art, drama and design facilities and a performing arts extension; most recently, a large new sports complex has been added, including 2 swimming pools. Excellent playing fields cover the 27 acres. Religious worship is in accordance with Anglican faith and practice and all pupils are required to attend services in chapel. A broad general education is provided and examination results are very good. The music, drama and art departments are strong. A good range of sports and games is available and all pupils are expected to take part in these. There are many regional and county representatives and standards are high in many sports. Extra-curricular activities are numerous. There is a big commitment to local community services. Full use is made of the cultural amenities of London.

Pupils: Total age range 4-18; 1210 pupils (613 boys, 597 girls). Senior department 11-18, 970 pupils (490 boys, 480 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 7, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects). State school entry 50% senior intake, plus 85% new entrants to sixth form.

16 pa scholarships, value 700-2716 per term: 10 academic, 1 art, 1 drama and 4 music (including 9 at 11, 4 at 16). 5 bursaries at 11 and 16.

Warden: A G Boggis, in post from 1992. Educated at Marlborough and at universities of Oxford (modern languages) and Cambridge (education). Previously Master-in-College (Housemaster to Kings' Scholars) at Eton and Assistant Master at Hitchin Boys' School. Teaching staff: 104 full time, 10 part time. Annual turnover 5%.

GCSE: 137 pupils in fifth: 99% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 67. A-levels: 127 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 355.

95% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (19% after a gap year), 9% to Oxbridge. 6% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 37% in science and engineering, 6% in law, 40% in humanities and social sciences, 4% in art and design, 6% in vocational subjects. Others typically go direct in to employment (often in City).

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 25 GCSE subjects, 20 AS/A-level (including computer studies). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (usually including a contrasting subject), 3-4 at A-level excluding general studies. Key skills integrated into courses; not formally assessed. Vocational: Work experience available; also RSA Stage 1 word processing and Stages 1 and 2 computer literacy. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 330 computers for pupil use (7 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. Laptops with radio networking in library. Most pupils take ECDL.

Music: Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 20 musical groups including orchestras, choirs, jazz bands, chamber groups etc; organ and choral scholarships award to Oxbridge. Drama and dance: Drama and dance offered. Some pupils are involved in school productions and house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 10 AS and A-levels. Design, pottery, textiles, photography also offered. All A-level students attain first-choice places on art and design courses.

Sport: Wide range of sports compulsory under the PE programme; 20+ sports and activities. A number of national, regional, county and district representatives at hockey, netball, football, athletics, cross-country, fencing, judo. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF and community service optional. Up to 15 clubs, eg chess, choral, debating, film, music, natural history, photography, science, voluntary service.

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, monitors head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects and monitors - appointed by the Warden. Sixth-Form Council. Religion: Church of England. Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: ESU speaking competitions held jointly with other local schools. Pupils allowed to bring own car to school. Meals formal. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect no punishment, possibly detention; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises might expect expulsion.

Nickolas Grace, Adam Woodyatt, Anthony Venditti, Nicola Walker (actors); Mark Petchey, David Felgate (tennis); Nasser Hussain, James Foster (cricket); Jangu Banatvala (medicine); Michael Swash (neurology); Quinton Fortune (football); John Matthews (building); Richard Holmes (historian); Tolga Kashif (composer); Colin Smith (horseracing).