Forest Hill School has been educating boys since the 1950s and makes the intentional choice to offer a dynamic and stimulating comprehensive education to boys in south east London.

London Boys’ Schools Network

Forest Hill School is a founder member of the London Boys’ Schools Network – a group of Headteachers and schools who advocate for boys’ education. We share expertise in creating positive environments for educating boys and young men. There are no formal links between the schools, simply a commitment to empowering boys in London through our high-quality and rounded education. All of our schools have mixed sixth form provision.

Why choose a London boys’ school?

Boys’ schools often surprise people. Those who visit tell us that our school is calmer than you would expect and the interactions between students are kinder than anticipated. Boys thrive academically and form lasting friendships at Forest Hill School. There are warm, robust relationships between the adults and boys, helping them develop essential skills like empathy, leadership, and effective communication.

There are many similarities between a mixed school and a school for boys, but there are some key differences that are specific to schools for boys. Click below to watch the video.

If you are deciding between a mixed school and an all-boys’ school for your son, look out for the following when you are shown examination results.

In mixed schools you will invariably be given the overall results of girls and boys combined. Girls outperform boys nationally, and in mixed schools this can boost the combined results, often hiding a large gender gap between boys and girls.

Ask to see the boys’ results to make a fair comparison with boys-only schools.

Here is why we think your child would flourish at Forest Hill School:

Teaching is focused on boys

Staff at Forest Hill School are experts at teaching boys. Everything at Forest Hill – the curriculum, the lessons, the extra-curricular activities and the learning environment – is planned exclusively around the needs of our students.

No gender stereotyping

At Forest Hill School, there is no room for gender stereotypes. Boys are expected to fill all the roles within the school from prefects and house captains to dancers and artists. They learn to pursue areas that interest them, no matter what is considered socially acceptable. This supports their mental health and academic growth.

Confidence without comparison

Because boys tend to mature later than girls, there is sometimes a lot of stress on them at a mixed school as they are constantly being compared to their female classmates. Forest Hill’s learning environment allows boys to mature at their own pace, without the comparisons and without social distractions, and this helps them build confidence.

Productive learning environment

Forest Hill School is more relaxed in the absence of gendered desires to impress. Students can be true to themselves and are willing to take more risks as they are not afraid of failing in front of the opposite sex. This makes the classroom feel dynamic and free; the boys have more opportunity to share ideas and take part in conversation without feeling self-conscious.

Exposure to greater opportunities

We offer a safe place for boys to take chances, express their emotions and discover subjects such as the creative arts and classic literature. We believe that a boys’ school can actually help students become more developmentally rounded as they are inspired to involve themselves in all aspects of school life that may otherwise be unduly influenced by girls in a co-educational environment.

Engaged citizens

We openly address issues like toxic masculinity and the risks associated with being a teenage boy, cultivating positive masculinity and strong, respectful friendships among boys.

Preparation for post-16 mixed education

Our single-gender environment prepares boys for life in a mixed sixth form, where they can contribute equally and confidently alongside girls.