Forest School Leader training - Level 3

Person-centred, nature-based approach.

Organisation links
Location address: Sylva Foundation Wood Centre , Long Wittenham
Chosen age group:

Ages: children - · adults 18 - years

Available tickets:
Paying in 3 Instalments £1770Paying through EEQU £1750Invoice needed £1750
Next date: Thursday 8th May,
A summary
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 different cohorts together. 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 a 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. You can even bring a colleague or parent volunteer to train with you as Level 1 and Level 2 participants join us for relevant workshops and study alongside our Level 3 trainees.
About your mentors
Where The Fruit Is
Transformation through nature connection
We help people rediscover their purpose, realise their potential and lead change in their organisations by training and coaching in and through nature. Our FSA-endorsed trainers work alongside FSA Recognised Providers and the local FSA-affiliated group, building an effective learning community to nurture and encourage our trainees.
Sarah Walker
Forest School Trainer and Practitioner
If I'm not running my own Forest School sessions, then I'm helping others to become Forest School Leaders - what could be better than supporting other people to do the job I love!? I spent over 15 years teaching and teacher-training in British international schools around the world before returning to the UK in 2012 when I started helping out at her local Forest School. Since 2017 I have worked full time as a qualified, freelance Level 3 Forest School Leader, setting up and running long term Forest School programmes in Oxfordshire schools and I now train with Sarah Lawfull at Where the Fruit Is. When I'm not out in the woods, I can be found out on my bike, hammock-camping or volunteering with our local scout group – i.e. somewhere in the great outdoors!
Sarah Lawfull
Coach, Trainer, and Consultant
With a background in mainstream teaching, early years, SEND, and voluntary youth work, I have witnessed the impact of implementing the ethos and principles of Forest School in every area of my life. We initially set up Where The Fruit Is to raise awareness of Forest School's power to build communities with and improve outcomes for the invisible young people struggling to access education, many of whom are neurodivergent.
This course is for
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.
Learning aims
Aim 1
Understand the Forest School ethos and principles and put them into practice.
Aim 3
Know how to set up and sustainably manage a Forest School site, minimising the ecological impact.
Aim 5
Build your observation skills and reflective practice and develop new ways of learning.
Aim 7
Know when and how to use practical skills safely with groups to build individual competency and self-confidence.
Aim 9
Confidently identify trees, other flora, and fauna in your FS site and know their uses.
Aim 2
Know how to tap into human beings' natural learning drives at all stages and ages and provide time for quality thinking.
Aim 4
Plan and facilitate playful Forest School sessions and programmes that meet all your group members' needs.
Aim 6
Create learning communities and communicate the benefits of Forest School clearly to stakeholders, e.g. senior leadership teams, funders, parents, and landowners.
Aim 8
Know how to gather evidence from academic research and your action research and practice to create programmes that meet the needs of all learners.
Aim 10
Build habits of mind that support your thinking and learning and help you influence and motivate others.
Course Details
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 at least 180 hours of study. Our course gives you over 100 hours of direct contact/ 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 assessment. Assessments beyond a 50-mile radius of the training venue will incur additional travel costs.
Pricing information
Ticket namePaying in 3 Instalments
Price£1770
Ticket namePaying through EEQU
Price£1750
Ticket nameInvoice needed
Price£1750
InformationFor schools and organisations
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LEARNER REFLECTIONS0 reflections
Where we'll be
Sylva Foundation Wood Centre , Training Barn , Long Wittenham, Oxfordshire, OX14 4QT
WHAT’S PROVIDED
Drinks
Snacks
Equipment
Safety
Enhanced DBS
Risk Assessment
Public Liability Insurance
Safeguarding Training
First Aid Training
First Aid Kit
Smoke Detector

Please note

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Cancellation Policy
Cancel more than two weeks before the start to receive a full refund.

My experience is an educational activity and the 14-day cooling-off period under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 therefore applies. After the 14 day period my standard policy will apply.

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