Forest School Refresher

Update knowledge and build confidence

Your mentors

Where The Fruit Is Where The Fruit Is

Sarah Lawfull Sarah Lawfull

Sarah WalkerSarah Walker

Sylva Foundation, Long Wittenham

Ages: 18+ years

Pay through Eequ £900Request an Invoice £900

Next date: Wednesday 8th Jul, 08:30 – 17:30

Forest School Refresher block mentored by Where The Fruit Is

A summary

Has life got in the way of you completing your training with us? Are you a qualified Level 3 Forest School leader who trained a long time ago and has become rusty, even disenchanted? Do you want the fun of Forest School training without having to create a portfolio? This Refresher programme for qualified Forest School leaders and those who need to complete their training offers flexibility. We train in small groups and plan daily with you so that you can meet your needs and understand how the Forest School approach has developed over the past 30 years. 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 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. Training alongside those discovering the ethos and principles of Forest School for the first time and working collaboratively with them on assignments will help you revisit your understanding and discover new developments. Don't worry about missing a workshop because of illness or family commitments; we've got you covered. 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. 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 and Refresher participants. Specialist Outdoor First Aid and Food Safety training may be added to the Refresher Course.

About your mentors

Where The Fruit Is

Transformation through nature connection

We help leaders and educators rediscover their purpose and realise their potential by coaching and training in and through nature. We love the Forest School approach and share our passion for its loving, inclusive pedagogy in all areas of our work. We recognise the importance of needs-based, trauma-informed practice, threading emotion coaching into all our training offers. We work locally, nationally and internationally, advocating for every child and young person to have regular access to nature for their happiness, well-being, and the health of our beautiful home, planet Earth. We provide leadership coaching, accredited and bespoke nature-based training alongside specialist Outdoor Health and Safety courses.

Sarah Lawfull

Leadership Coach, Trainer, and Consultant

With a background in mainstream teaching, early years, SEND, and voluntary youth work, I have witnessed the impact of implementing Forest School's ethos and principles in every area of my life. I set up Where The Fruit Is to raise awareness of Forest School's power to build communities with and improve outcomes for invisible young people, many of whom are neurodivergent, who struggle to access education. I now collaborate with NGOs and county councils to lead local and national nature-based education projects. As co-founder of the Nature Premium campaign, I advocate for all children to have funding for regular nature-based learning experiences from 3 to 18 years as part of their education. I am an FSA-endorsed trainer, the Forest School Association Chair, a Royal Society of Arts Fellow, and a member of the Henley Centre for Coaching and the International Coaching Federation. My passion is helping people of all ages find their purpose, strengths, and joy to fulfil their potential through learning and playing in nature.

Sarah Walker

Forest School Trainer, First Aid Instructor

If I'm not supporting others to become Forest School Leaders - I'm running First Aid Training or leading my own Forest School programmes across all key stages in mainstream and alternative provision. As an experienced adult trainer with a background in international teacher training, an FSA Endorsed Trainer, First Aid Instructor and Scout Leader I have extensive experience of working with client groups of all ages in woodlands and schools. A childhood on Dartmoor and a lifetime of adventurous living have given me an understanding of the challenges and risks of taking groups to inaccessible places. I am bilingual in Spanish and my fascination with languages continues through my work, training and mentoring international colleagues. I am a member of the Forest School Association's Recognised Provider Working Group and currently treasurer of the Ox-Bucks-Berks local Forest School Association Branch, supporting local colleagues and organising skills shares.

Suitable for

Qualified Forest School Leaders who have taken time away from the woods or may have completed purely online training who wish to work in a nature-based outdoor learning context. Although we recognise transferable skills, you will usually have prior experience working with your planned client group.

What we'll do

Training is delivered through face-to-face contact in the woods and Teaching Barn for up to twelve days from 8.30 am - to 5.30 pm, meeting each morning for a light breakfast before planning the day together. Workshops will be highly practical and experiential. Ongoing virtual support will be provided with lively, informative videos and interactive monthly webinars over 9 to 12 months. We invite colleagues refreshing their skills to attend additional training days with the next cohort to provide practical learning opportunities and to support peers. The current Level 3 qualification covers five work units: Practical Skills, Woodland Environment, Learning and Development, Planning and Preparation, and Delivery. We will help you review your handbook, offer an updated practical skills assessment, and offer the opportunity to be observed leading Forest School session sessions as part of the supportive development framework. You will engage in self-study, visit different woodlands, create group presentations, practise skills, make craft items, explore sustainable woodland management, develop your Handbook, and plan, prepare, and deliver a Forest School session with peers during training. We recommend you maintain a reflective learning journal through the refresher course. Our refresher training programme includes a 16-hour specialist Level 3 Certificate in Outdoor First Aid, a Level 2 Outdoor Food Hygiene qualification, and a workplace observation/ site visit option. Visits beyond a 50-mile radius of the training venue will incur additional travel costs.

Pricing information

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Ticket namePay through Eequ

Price£900

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Price£900

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Where we'll be

Sylva Foundation, Wood Centre - Teaching 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

Please note, it is the responsibility of the booker to satisfy themselves about the adequacy of the safety measures. This platform is merely an introducer and does not verify the items listed here.

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.