The first head teacher was Alexander E. Howard, who was a leading national figure in technical education.

Above all, the headmaster, Mr. A. E. Howard, in frank discussion, revealed educational ideas and described the school's purposes and practices with combined competence and optimism.

As the English comprehensive school spreads, it will, if it lives up to Forest Hill, brighten the future of secondary education in Great Britain.

Laurie Taylor (sociologist) taught English and Drama and went on to a distinguished career in Sociology and broadcasting.

Brian Brookes, who taught botany, went on to become a leading naturalist, with expertise in the plants of the Scottish Highlands, and an environmental consultant, being awarded the MBE in 1983 for his services to education.

[10] David Stanbury, who taught Biology and became the School's third Headmaster, researched and wrote on Robert Fitzroy, the captain of HMS Beagle, on which Charles Darwin was naturalist.

The houses went on to become Drake (Red), Harvey (Yellow), Reynolds (light blue) and Shackleton (dark green).

The sports centre opened on top of Gym 3, but was also expanded towards Bampton Road on the other side of the school.

[23] The only part of the school which remains unchanged is the current art block, which was built recently.

The rest of the school was demolished and rebuilt from the ground up with the three-floor plan changed to a higher four-story building.