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The Forest High School Relocates to Allambie Heights: What Local Families Need to Know

Allambie Heights is set to become the new home of The Forest High School, a modern, purpose-built campus that is getting ready to welcome over 800 students next year, marking a fresh start for the 64-year-old institution previously based in Frenchs Forest.

Read: Pedestrian Bridge Calls Grow Near New Forest High School in Allambie Heights

The new school on the corner of Allambie Road and Aquatic Drive represents one of the Northern Beaches’ most significant education infrastructure projects, with the $160-million development designed to accommodate up to 1,500 students as the region grows.

What the New Campus Offers

Artist’s impression of the soccer field at the Allambie Heights campus (Photo credit: schoolinfrastructure.nsw.gov.au)

The Allambie Heights campus has been purpose-built with contemporary education in mind. Interactive smartboards will feature throughout the school, supporting digital learning across all year groups. The entire facility is fully air-conditioned, a considerable upgrade from the original 1960s buildings.

Students will benefit from flexible learning spaces designed around a “Learning Loop” concept – an accessible pathway connecting classrooms with outdoor learning areas. The campus includes a modern library, updated canteen facilities, and a multi-purpose theatre for music, drama and dance performances.

Photo credit: schoolinfrastructure.nsw.gov.au

Sports facilities have received particular attention in the design. The school will feature a fully equipped gymnasium and fitness lab, all-weather sports surfaces, two half courts, and five multipurpose courts suitable for soccer, touch football, basketball, netball and volleyball. Break-out study and seminar spaces are included throughout the campus.

Senior students will appreciate dedicated facilities including a senior study area, senior bathrooms, and spaces located near examination rooms – creating what Lawler describes as a more senior experience for Years 11 and 12. The school’s specialist autism support unit will continue operating at the new location, maintaining the inclusive education programs that serve students with additional needs.

A Fresh Start for a Historic School

Photo credit: Facebook/The Forest High School

The original Forest High School opened its doors in January 1961 with just 318 students and 14 teachers. Over more than six decades, it became a cornerstone of the local community; the school included three members of legendary rock band INXS among its students. Now, as the school prepares to close its Frenchs Forest chapter, the move to Allambie Heights signals a new beginning for students and staff alike.

Principal Nathan Lawler has emphasised that the relocation brings significant advantages for the school community. The new 4.5-hectare site, previously home to the Cerebral Palsy Alliance’s McLeod House facility, offers modern learning environments surrounded by the natural beauty of Garigal National Park bushland.

Room to Grow

Capacity has been a key consideration in the relocation. While the school currently serves more than 830 students, the new campus can accommodate over 1,000, with eventual expansion possible to 1,500 places. This growth capacity isn’t arbitrary – it’s linked to significant residential development planned for the area.

The old Frenchs Forest site will be demolished to make way for a new town centre, with developers permitted to build apartment blocks up to 12 storeys high. This rezoning, part of the state’s plan to provide medium and high-density housing near the Northern Beaches Hospital precinct, will create demand for additional school places. The Forest High School is expecting approximately 180 new Year 7 students in 2026.

In a win for local residents, Northern Beaches has partnered with the Education Department to ensure community access to the school’s sports facilities outside school hours. This arrangement extends the benefit of the significant public investment beyond the student population.

Read: Historic Gravestone Preserved Ahead Of School Move In Allambie Heights

Looking Ahead

As demolition equipment prepares to move onto the old Frenchs Forest site, the school community is focused on the opportunities ahead. The relocation keeps the school within its existing catchment area, minimising disruption for current families while positioning The Forest High School to serve growing communities across the Northern Beaches for decades to come.

For Allambie Heights residents, the arrival of this expanded educational facility represents a significant addition to local amenities and a vote of confidence in the area’s future.

Published 23-December-2025

Revised Design Released for The Forest High School Relocation to Allambie Heights

Photo Credit: School Infrastructure/NSW

Revisions for the design of the new building for The Forest High School relocation to Allambie Heights have been released, showing a shift from four-storey buildings to two-storey structures that will not ruin the neighbourhood streetscape and character.

School Infrastructure NSW took the feedback of the community in considering the changes after complaints that the original four-storey building designs were too big.

Following further architectural studies, reducing the building’s height to two storey and dividing the structures into smaller spaces may also significantly improve the travel time around the planned campus.

The Forest High School — *Photo Credit: School Infrastructure NSW*

The design changes also includes configuring the sports courts to the west side of the property with the gymnasium relocated to overlook the sports field. Ramps, stairs and lifts, multiple undercover and courtyards will be added throughout the school site to allow the students and staff options for different modes of travel and maximum use of the outdoor spaces.

Per School Infrastructure NSW, “the design for The Forest High School has continued to be developed in consultation with department experts, school representatives and the Project Reference Group.”

Actual construction of The Forest High School in Allambie Heights has not yet been determined, pending the approval of the development application and the tender process. However, School Infrastructure NSW anticipates that the existing building, McLeod House, will be demolished by late 2022 to prepare for the new site.

The Forest High School is relocating from its Frenchs Forest site as the suburb is undergoing significant changes to create a new town centre. Moving the school to Allambie Heights will benefit the town centre planning.

The new site was selected because it is already serviced by gas, water, electricity, stormwater and public transport, aside from providing the right size and space for The Forest High School’s intake.

SSD Preparation Underway for The Forest High School Relocation to Allambie Heights

Preparations are underway for the State Significant Development (SSD) application, as well as the technical studies and environmental impact assessment, of the relocation of The Forest High School to Allambie Heights.

Consultations are also ongoing with Northern Beaches Council, Transport for NSW, and other key stakeholders to prepare the design development and planning details required before filing the SSD.

In December 2021, the NSW School Infrastructure released the concept design of The Forest High School, which has been earmarked for a 2025 opening along 187 Allambie Road, Allambie Heights. The new site will feature modern flexible learning spaces fit for 1,500 students, a new library, canteen and administration spaces, a multi-purpose sports and performance hall, new outdoor sports courts, and landscaped recreation with outdoor learning spaces.

*Photo Credit: NSW School Infrastructure*

The new site, located near the Warringah Aquatic Centre sporting facilities, was chosen as an adequate environment to build a new high school since it can accommodate the current intake of the current school. The location is also well-serviced by public transport, water, stormwater, electricity, and gas.

Due to the relocation, the assessment report in the SSD will also detail the school transport plan and travel demands of the school community. The project will also include a range of infrastructure proposals, such as school drop-off and pick-up areas, staff car parking, and secure bicycle or scooter parking.

New bus zones and upgrades to existing pedestrian and road infrastructure are also possible, if the plans, based on discussions with Transport NSW, the Northern Business Council, and bus operators, are consolidated.

Principal Rosemary McDowall expressed that the designs and preliminary plans meet the needs of the school community. She’s happy to see the plans incorporate a collaborative space with the NSW School Infrastructure taking in the inputs and comments properly.

Construction of the new school is expected to start by mid-2023, after the demolition of the former Cerebral Palsy Alliance building in late 2022. The old school, on the other hand, will become part of the Frenchs Forest new town centre, which will have medium density residential units.