Forest Moor School

Welcome to Forest Moor School

At Forest Moor School, we are proud to welcome you to our school! Based just outside of Harrogate, and operating as a proud member of the Wellspring Academy Trust, our aim is simple: to provide the best possible care and education that we can for children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs across Key Stages 2 to 4.

Led by a leadership team committed to making a positive difference, we believe that every child has the right to experience success. From the moment you step through our doors, you will find a welcoming, caring, safe, and warm academy designed to help our students become the best version of themselves. We see strong, supportive relationships based on openness, honesty, and a restorative approach as the ultimate key to our success with our students, parents, carers, external agencies, and the wider community.

We work closely with our families and local partners to ensure our school is a secure, nurturing space where full time attendance fosters a deep sense of belonging and community. We ensure our pupils feel safe and secure, enabling them to build self esteem, improve self regulation, and take ownership of their learning.

To learn more about our school, You can read the message from our Principal here. 

Our Core Mission

We believe that all of our pupils can be supported and empowered to succeed, anchoring everything we do in three core pillars to maximise their life chances and prepare them for their onward destinations into continuing education, work, or training:

• Unconditional Positive Regard: This is at the absolute centre of everything we do. We accept, care for, and nurture each individual for who they are. It is never withdrawn when mistakes are made. Instead, we show resilience, offer multiple fresh starts, and use flexible consistency and genuine warmth to expand each student's window of tolerance so they feel comfortable trying new things.

• A Personalised, Blended Curriculum: We offer a highly creative, engaging, and innovative curriculum that seamlessly interlinks EHCP, SEMH, and academic requirements. Recognising that student needs are fluid and present differently over time, we operate a "plan, do, review" model to regularly adjust learning pathways, ensuring students always experience success whether they are working through a crisis or engaging with class based learning.

• High Impact, Specialised Staffing: Our students learn in small classes with an exceptional ratio of one adult to every four children, ensuring no learner is left without help. Our caring and committed professionals deliver targeted interventions to help students develop effective strategies to self regulate, communicate their feelings, and make rapid progress both inside the classroom and out in our local learning areas.

Join Our Team

Great schools are built by great people. As a member of the Forest Moor School team, you will work within close knit classroom dynamics where your growth is heavily supported. We invest deeply in our staff, offering a rich professional landscape that includes:

• Full, Expert Training: New to special education or an SEMH setting? We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including college or university graduates and career changers, and offer a high quality induction programme alongside specialist training in play based learning, trauma-informed care, and restorative practice.

• Career Development: As a part of the growing Wellspring Academy Trust, our roles offer guaranteed professional development, shared trust expertise, and clear, rewarding pathways for career progression and promotion.

• Diverse Contract Pathways: We value lifestyle balance and offer a variety of contract choices to suit your needs, including permanent full time, part time, and flexible casual or relief positions.

• A Great Balance: A supportive staff culture where you can use your creative flair to make a massive, life changing impact during the school day, and leave work completely at the door when you clock out to enjoy your evenings and weekends.

Working at Forest Moor School isn't just a job; it's an opportunity to collaborate with a team of inspirational, resilient practitioners and make a tangible difference in children's lives every day.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

The safety and well being of our pupils are at the absolute heart of everything we do. We firmly believe that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Working closely with our families, carers, and local partners, we maintain a secure, deeply supportive environment where every child is protected and can learn with confidence.

Find out more by clicking here!

Why Join Our Talent Pool?

If we don't have any suitable vacancies available, we encourage you to register for our Talent Pool. When applying, you aren't just joining a waiting list, you are positioning yourself at the front of the line for a rewarding career. When a suitable vacancy opens, our talent pool is our first port of call and our recruitment team will be in touch. We will keep you up to date with the latest news and activities within our school on a regular basis. We are regularly looking for support staff and we offer a range of flexible contracts.

Complete our Talent Pool application form by clicking here!