Public Consultation

The Proposal

Collyer’s and The Forest School, two of Horsham’s best known and well-respected educational institutions are excited to propose the formation of a new Multi-Academy Trust: Horsham Learning Alliance.

As part of this proposal, The Forest School would become an academy.

We welcome your feedback on our proposal. We are dedicated to establishing a Trust that strengthens Horsham’s reputation for educational excellence and value input from our communities to achieve this goal.

To help you familiarise yourself further with what we are proposing and give you a deeper understanding of the ethos of the new Trust and the benefits we aim to deliver, we have created a prospective website that we encourage you to visit hla.education.

For your convenience, here’s a link to our shared consultation information including a comprehensive FAQ section which we recommend reading before responding. Here we have addressed anticipated questions and provide information to help you better understand more detail behind our plans.

We are now open to public consultation on our proposal. Details on the timeline of the process and how to give your comments can be found below.

(Left to Right) Russha Sellings (Collyer’s - Director of Governance) Dan Lodge (Collyer’s - Principal) Ian Straw (Forest - Headteacher) Sue Kelly (Forest - Deputy Headteacher) Steve Martell (Collyer’s - Deputy Principal) 

Consultation Timeline

13th January 2025 – Public Consultation Opens

21st January 2025 – Public Town Hall at Forest 

22nd January 2025 – Public Town Hall at Collyer’s

24th February 2025 – Public Consultation Closes at noon.

22nd April 2025 – Consultation Outcome Published

1st September 2025 – Proposed date for the creation of Horsham Learning Alliance

How to respond

We are dedicated to establishing a Trust that strengthens Horsham’s reputation for educational excellence and value input from our communities to achieve this goal.

To respond to our proposal, please click here to complete our online form.

Alternatively, you can email us directly kchambers@theforestschool.net

Or fill out a response form by hand, available at and returnable to The Forest School reception for the attention of the Clerk to the Governors.

All responses must be received by noon 24th February 2025.