Level 3 Forest School Leader training

The ethos and principles of Forest School are at the heart of our training. We invite you to take the reins of your learning journey, to explore and grow at your own pace. Our trainers are not just instructors; they are facilitators, coaches, and guides here to support and empower you. We value your unique experiences, knowledge, and interests, and we believe in the power of learning from each other.

We co-create courses with you, harnessing the power of collaboration to enhance your learning experience. Together, we explore how and why the Forest School approach meets the pressing needs of every generation.

Life can be complicated, and we understand that. That's why our training is designed to be flexible and understanding. We offer small, person-centred cohorts, ensuring a supportive learning environment. Don't worry about missing a workshop because of illness or family commitments; we've got you covered. Our programme is designed to adapt to your needs. New courses seamlessly link with the previous one, providing real-life clients to our more experienced trainees as part of their practical skills assessment. If you miss workshops, you can continue with cohorts that follow yours.

Training is run at the inspirational Sylva Foundation Wood Centre, where we can access the Future Forest Forest School site planted by local schools, beautiful ancient woodlands and a local nature reserve.

Regular in-person, experiential workshops are interspersed with supportive webinars, bringing together different cohorts. This ensures that people can learn from others further in their Forest School journey, ask questions, seek diverse perspectives, and share challenges and successes.

Trainees value our workplace observation as one of the most impactful aspects of their training.

Our programme includes the required two-day First Aid and recommended specialist Outdoor Food Safety training, a year-long subscription to Red Squirrel resources (lively online materials), Forest School Association student membership, and access to local Forest Schools for study visits. We will train and mentor you to become an FSA Recognised Provider.

Join us to become part of a supportive learning community, rediscover the joys of playful nature connection, and experience the transformative power of quality Forest School practice.

As Level 1 and Level 2 participants join us for relevant workshops and study alongside our Level 3 trainees, you can even book a place to bring a colleague or parent volunteer to train with you.

Educators, youth leaders, early years practitioners, social workers, parents, veterans and therapists who wish to work in a nature-based outdoor learning context. It also suits people wanting to change or develop their careers.
Learners must be at least 19 years old to study this qualification. You will usually have prior experience working with your planned client group although we recognise transferrable skills.

Training is delivered through face-to-face contact in the woods for at least ten days from 8.30 am - to 5.30 pm, through workshops and ongoing virtual support with lively, informative videos and interactive monthly webinars over 9 to 12 months. We invite trainees to attend additional training days with the next cohort to provide practical learning opportunities and to support peers.

The Level 3 qualification is worth 18 credits. It covers five work units: Practical Skills, Woodland Environment, Learning and Development, Planning and Preparation, and Delivery. A handbook, practical skills assessment, delivery assessment, and portfolio evidence this.

The learner is required to set up and lead the first six consecutive sessions of a long-term Forest School programme with the same client group. A tutor will usually observe one of these sessions as part of the supportive assessment framework.

The qualification requires a minimum of 180 hours of study. Our course provides over 100 hours of direct contact and support. The remaining 80 hours will be needed for self-study, visiting different woodlands, creating group presentations, practising skills and making craft items, setting up the site, creating the Handbook, planning, preparing and delivering Forest School. You will develop an e-portfolio throughout the training.

The learner may expect to work collaboratively on projects, communicate their learning to peers, and produce a wide range of evidence for their e-portfolio, including photographs, video, and audio recordings alongside more formal written assignments.

Our training programme includes a 16-hour specialist Level 3 Certificate in Outdoor First Aid, a Level 2 Outdoor Food Hygiene qualification, and a workplace delivery observation.

Assessments beyond a 50-mile radius of the training venue will incur additional travel costs.