The Forest High School relocation

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As part of the NSW Government's plan to rebuild public education, the 2025-26 Budget is delivering record education funding, including $9 billion for new and upgraded schools. This targeted investment will ensure growing communities get access to a world class public education.

New intake areas – 2026

From 2026, intake areas across the northern beaches are changing. The updates provide improved alignment between primary schools and high schools, enabling more students to move from primary to high school with their peers.

The changes will apply to new enrolments from 2026. To view the new local intake area for The Forest High School, please click on the 2026 button displayed on the School Finder website.

The benefits

Modern classrooms for up to 1500 students.
A new library, canteen and administration spaces.
A multi-purpose sports and performance hall.
Outdoor sports field and courts.
Landscaped recreation and outdoor learning spaces.

Timeline

Planning

Design

In progress

Complete

Progress summary

Main construction works are well underway. All seven building structures are finished, with one roof remaining to be erected. The internal fit out, façade works and installation of essential utility services like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) are progressing and will be finished soon.

The inground structure for the carpark and sports field is now finished, and the concrete pour for the carpark slabs is almost finished.

Next steps

Finish the underground works to install the 33kv electrical power lines
Finish concrete pour slabs to the ground level of the carpark
Start works for the sports field sub-structure
Progressively remove site hoarding and shade cloth to enable external works to the boundary of the site.

Main construction works for the new The Forest High School are expected to be finished in late 2025. We will provide an update regarding a timeframes for transitioning students and staff to the new school once these have been confirmed.

Project gallery

Image: Artist impression of The Forest High School, subject to change
Image: Artist impression of The Forest High School, subject to change
Image: Artist impression of The Forest High School, subject to change
Image: Artist impression of The Forest High School, subject to change

Additional information

Frequently asked questions

Why is The Forest High School relocating?

How accessible will the school be?

The school will include supported learning facilities for specialist support classes. The facilities will comply with the Educational Facilities Standards and Guidelines (EFSG) and Education Disability Discrimination Act including, but not limited to:

■ accessibility through lifts, ramps, walkways, and other measures including height adjustable furniture

■ provision of accessible bathrooms for both students and staff

■ provision of accessible drop off zones and parking.

How will traffic and transport be managed?

A range of traffic mitigation and transport infrastructure has been proposed to support the new school and the local community. Studies to measure the impact of the new school development to key intersections in the surrounding area have been undertaken, including cumulative impacts from other known future developments. These studies show that the proposed measures significantly mitigate the introduction of the school to its new location.

When will construction start?

When will students move to the new site?

What is the proposed intake area for the new school?

The new school will be located within the current intake area for The Forest High School. Intake area boundaries are regularly updated to balance enrolments equally between local schools to ensure every child in NSW has a well-resourced local public school to attend. The Department of Education will confirm any changes to intake areas closer to the school opening using the most current demographic data.

I have a child already attending The Forest High School. Can they stay there if I am now in a different school’s intake area?

I have a child already attending The Forest High School. This is currently our local intake area school but from 2026 we will be designated to a different school. Can I enrol my other children at the same school?

How were the new intake areas developed?

The new intake areas have been developed through a consultative process with schools and communities. A number of relevant factors were considered to inform the development of the new intake areas including enrolment trends; opportunities to align with primary school local intake areas; public transport access; the size and utilisation rate of schools; the number of students living in each proposed intake area; and the physical capacity of schools to enrol students.

How much shade will be provided?

The new Forest High School will provide several shade structures comprising a total of 3,733 square metres of undercover or shaded areas for students. These include:

a covered outdoor learning area adjacent to the gym and canteen
outdoor learning commons – between classrooms in the school buildings
an existing mature tree canopy in the central courtyard
a new large tree canopy for the central courtyard
general shade provided by built form areas in the school.

Fast facts

Commencement

Late 2023

Forecast completion

Mid 2025

Architect

Architectus

Design Consultant

ADCO Constructions Pty Ltd

Address

135 Frenchs Forest Rd W Frenchs Forest NSW 2086

News

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Get involved

We are committed to working together with our school communities to deliver the best possible learning facilities for students.
Opportunities for school communities to get involved in the project will be shared on this page.

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Get in contact

Your feedback on this project is important to us. For more information, questions or to make a comment please email us at schoolinfrastructure@det.nsw.edu.au or complete the contact form.

Information packs
Project updates
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Everything you need to know about your new or upgraded school.

Information board - August 2022

(PDF 5 MB)