This September, we marked some truly magnificent milestones at Forest School! Not only did we celebrate the start of the school’s centenary year, but we also honoured five dedicated staff members for their incredible years of service.
Mrs. Val Howland, Mrs. Nikki Wells, and Mrs. Angela Wild are proudly celebrating their 25th year with us, while Mr. Rick Hyde and Mrs. Louise Knowles are marking 20 years. Their long-standing dedication speaks volumes about our school community, so we took a moment to ask them what makes Forest such a special place.
Mrs. Val Howland reflected, “Forest has been like a second home to me for the last 25 years. The love, warmth, and joy from both staff and children create a wonderful environment. It’s a joy to see how the children thrive year by year.”
Mrs. Angela Wild shared a light-hearted memory from her time here: “One of my favourites was during Fire Extinguisher training. Mr. Hyde, our Headmaster at the time, jokingly said, ‘Whatever you do, don’t spray me!’ I turned to listen and accidentally sprayed his foot! Thankfully, it was just water, and we all had a good laugh. That’s a part of being at what Forest is about - we like to laugh together and to make it a happy place to work.”
Mr. Hyde added, “It’s been a pleasure to spend the last 20 years at such a special school. I feel fortunate to have so many fond memories, working with inspirational colleagues, supportive parents, and amazing children who make every day exciting.”
Mrs. Louise Knowles reminisced about her first day: “I started in 2004, the same day as Mr. Hyde. He was outside gardening, and I thought he was the gardener! I also met Mr. Booth, who was shy and hiding under the Kindergarten parachute. Thankfully, he’s much more outgoing now!”
Her favourite memory? “Mr. Booth on the Spinball Whizzer at Alton Towers during a school trip—you had to be there!”
These stories highlight the heart and spirit of Forest School. Here’s to many more years of cherished memories!
