Intensive L2 Forest School Assistant

Person-centred, nature-based play approach

Location address: Sylva Foundation, Long Wittenham
Chosen age group:

Ages: 18+ years

Available tickets:
Pay in 2 instalments £910Pay by invoice £900Pay with Eequ £900
Next date: Saturday 4th Jul,
Intensive L2 Forest School Assistant block mentored by Where The Fruit Is
Intensive L2 Forest School Assistant block mentored by Where The Fruit Is
Intensive L2 Forest School Assistant block mentored by Where The Fruit Is
Intensive L2 Forest School Assistant block mentored by Where The Fruit Is
Intensive L2 Forest School Assistant block mentored by Where The Fruit Is
Intensive L2 Forest School Assistant block mentored by Where The Fruit Is
Intensive L2 Forest School Assistant block mentored by Where The Fruit Is
Intensive L2 Forest School Assistant block mentored by Where The Fruit Is
Intensive L2 Forest School Assistant block mentored by Where The Fruit Is
Intensive L2 Forest School Assistant block mentored by Where The Fruit Is
Intensive L2 Forest School Assistant block mentored by Where The Fruit Is
Intensive L2 Forest School Assistant block mentored by Where The Fruit Is
Intensive L2 Forest School Assistant block mentored by Where The Fruit Is
Intensive L2 Forest School Assistant block mentored by Where The Fruit Is
Intensive L2 Forest School Assistant block mentored by Where The Fruit Is
Intensive L2 Forest School Assistant block mentored by Where The Fruit Is
Intensive L2 Forest School Assistant block mentored by Where The Fruit Is
Our pedagogy
Our training is held at the Sylva Foundation Wood Centre, where we have access to the Future Forest Forest School site, planted by local schools, beautiful ancient woodlands, and a local nature reserve. Our courses are co-created with you. We believe in the power of collaboration and its ability to enhance the learning experience. Together, we explore how and why the Forest School approach meets the pressing needs of every generation. At the heart of our training are the ethos and principles of Forest School. We invite you to take the reins of your learning journey, exploring and growing 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 understand that life can be complicated. Our training is designed to be flexible; our small, person-centred cohorts ensure a supportive learning environment. Don't worry about missing a workshop due to work, illness, or family commitments; we've got you covered. Our program is designed to accommodate your specific 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. You can join the following cohort and catch up on missed days. You will train alongside peers who are gaining the Level 3 Forest School leader qualification. You may top up the L2 Forest School Assistant qualification to become a Level 3 Forest School leader within two years of gaining certification for an additional fee. You may also gain the L2 Forest School First Aid qualification for an extra cost.
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 Walker
Forest School Trainer and Practitioner
If I'm not running Forest School out in the woods, I'm supporting others to become Forest School Leaders - What could be better than helping others to do the job I love!? After 20 years abroad teaching and teacher-training, developing educational materials and writing for publishers for speakers of other languages, I moved back to the UK, trained as a Forest School Leader and have never looked back! I bring this varied educational experience to setting up and running long-term Forest School programmes in Oxfordshire schools where I work in EYFS and primary settings, and with young people in Alternative Provision at primary and secondary level. Through Where the Fruit Is I have been involved in the continuous development of our training courses, finding ways to support learners with additional needs and writing the training course for the new Forest Kindergarten qualification. I am bilingual in Spanish, having worked and lived in Spain for many years. I speak a couple of other languages to a lesser degree and my fascination with languages continues through my work, playing with words and marvelling at how young children develop language through their experiences in nature. I am currently co-secretary and treasurer of the Ox-Bucks-Berks local Forest School Association Branch, where we organise regular skills share meetings, face to face or online.
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.
Cultivating Curiosity
Daniel and Vicky
At Cultivating Curiosity we organise and deliver nature connection and bushcraft programmes that enable and encourage more people to enjoy nature, develop woodland skills and become more connected human beings. ​ Cultivating Curiosity is based in Sussex and runs programmes throughout the year, whatever the weather. We build camp fires and shelters, track local wildlife, immerse ourselves in woodland games and stories, make crafts, and learn about the land. Above all, we have fun. Cultivating Curiosity programmes are designed to be engaging and confidence building. We work with local education groups during school term time and run several holiday programmes.
This course is for
Teaching assistants, parent volunteers, early years practitioners, and youth leaders training as Forest School Assistants to support Level 3 qualified Forest School leaders within their schools and settings. It also serves as a stepping stone to gaining the Level 3 Forest School leader qualification for colleagues not yet ready to set up and lead a Forest School programme. This course requires the learner to support a Level 3 qualified Forest School Leader with planning and delivering three consecutive sessions of a Forest School programme. We run this concurrently with our Level 3 training, so learners often attend with their colleagues who are also Level 3 Leaders. Please note: this qualification does not equip or qualify the learner to lead Forest School sessions without a qualified L3 Forest School Leader.
Learning aims
Aim 1
To understand the Forest School ethos, principles and holistic approach to learning and development.
Aim 3
Know how risky challenging play, choice and a sense of belonging support learning and development at a Forest School.
Aim 5
To develop the skills and knowledge to support the Forest School group with sustainable site management and the safe use of practical skills.
Aim 2
To support the facilitation of sessions that reflect the Forest School ethos and principles
Aim 4
To develop your reflective practice, observe the learning of all participants and build a learning community with the Forest School leader.
Aim 6
To assist a Forest School leader with carrying out site checks, risk-benefit assessments, planning, delivery, and evaluation of three consecutive sessions.
Course details/dates
Training Dates Sat 5 Jul 2025 - Sun 6 Jul 2025 Mon 7 Jul - Rest and reflection day Tues 8 Jul - Fri 11 Jul Tues 15 Jul - Weds 16 Jul Optional additional training - specialist L3 16-hour Outdoor First Aid course Sat 12 Jul - Sun 13 Jul - please speak to your trainer The learner must be at least 19 years old at the time of qualification. This intensive training is delivered through in-person workshops over one week, followed by ongoing virtual support and interactive monthly webinars over 9-12 months. You may begin studying before joining us in person at Sylva. Please contact us directly to arrange this. You will have 50 hours of direct contact/ support. The remaining 20 hours will be required for self-study, visiting different woodlands, creating group presentations, practising skills, and making craft items, as well as supporting the planning, preparation, and delivery of three consecutive Forest School sessions. The learner must set up a Gmail address for their Forest School training to access online resources and create an electronic portfolio. We will be giving full support. The learner may expect to work collaboratively on projects, communicate their learning to peers, and produce a wide range of evidence for their portfolio, including annotated photographs, video, and audio recordings alongside more formal written assignments. Our training programme includes student membership of the Forest School Association. Our Level 2 training runs concurrently with our Level 3 training, enabling assistants and leaders to train together.
Pricing information
Ticket namePay in 2 instalments
Price£910
InformationUse code WTFIOFS100 at checkout to book and pay in 2 instalments by invoice.
Ticket namePay by invoice
Price£900
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Ticket namePay with Eequ
Price£900
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LEARNER REFLECTIONS0 reflections
Where we'll be
Sylva Foundation, 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.