Level 2 Forest School Assistant Training

Person-centred, nature-based approach

Organisation links
Location address: Sylva Wood School, Training Barn , Abingdon
Chosen age group:

Ages: 19 - 65 years

Available tickets:
Pay in two instalments £860Request an invoice £860Pay through Eequ £850
Next date: Thursday 8th May,
Our pedagogy
Our training is run 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 not just designed for you but co-created with you. We believe in the power of collaboration and how it can 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, 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. 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 work, illness or family commitments; we've got you covered. Our program 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. You are welcome to join the following cohort and catch up with any days missed. Learners may top up their L2 Forest School Assistant qualification to become Level 3 Forest School leaders within two years of gaining certification for an additional fee.
About your mentors
Where The Fruit Is
Transformation through nature connection
We help leaders and change makers rediscover their purpose and realise their potential 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
FSA Endorsed Trainer and Forest School 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
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
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. This course requires the learner to support a Level 3 qualified Forest School Leader with the planning and delivery of 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 own 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 site checks, risk-benefit assessments, planning, delivery, and evaluation of three consecutive sessions.
Course details
The learner needs to be at least 19 years old at qualification. Training is delivered through in person workshops and ongoing virtual support with interactive webinars over 9-12 months. Trainees are invited to attend additional training days with the next cohort to provide practical learning opportunities and support peers. This means around 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, and 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. Full support will be given. 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 and a specialist 16-hour Outdoor First Aid course. Our Level 2 training runs concurrently with our Level 3 training, enabling assistants and leaders to train together.
Pricing information
Ticket namePay in two instalments
Price£860
InformationCourse participants need to book for themselves
Ticket nameRequest an invoice
Price£860
Ticket namePay through Eequ
Price£850
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LEARNER REFLECTIONS0 reflections
Where we'll be
Sylva Wood School, Training Barn , Little Wittenham Road, Abingdon, 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
Cancellation or Alteration by the Learner On confirmation of the cancellation from WTFI in writing, the Learner must pay a cancellation fee at a percentage of the course fee: 50% between three months and up to 1 month before commencement of training. 75% between 1 month and one week before commencement of training. 100% in the final seven days before commencement of training or once training has commenced

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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