Level 3 Forest School Leader training

Forest School is a unique philosophy and approach to outdoor play and learning. It involves using the environment and natural resources as a setting and stimulus for learning. Forest School Leaders use teaching and learning strategies that are child-centred and aim to promote confidence, independence, empathy, social skills, self-esteem and intrinsic motivation. This course is for teachers, teaching assistants, youth leaders, play workers, early years practitioners, social workers, therapists and others who work or would like to work with groups in a nature-based outdoor learning context. 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. The Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification is equivalent to an A-Level standard and provides students with the skills and knowledge to risk assess, set up and manage a Forest School site. It enables students to plan and safely facilitate challenging, learner-led, Forest School programmes with a range of client groups in line with the Forest School ethos and principles. The training covers 5 units of study worth 18 credits at Level 3, requiring the planning and delivery of a 6-week ‘Introduction to Forest School’ programme and the completion of a portfolio of evidence which includes a group and site-specific handbook. Our course is verified by Liminalis Ltd. and accredited by ITC First. It takes approximately one year to complete.

Our Level 3 Forest School Leader training is rooted in the ethos and principles of Forest School. Along your journey to becoming a qualified Forest School Leader Charlotte and Sarah will coach and support you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to set up and run programmes of Forest School in your school, setting or independently. Both tutors are skilled, highly qualified and have extensive experience of offering high quality training, resulting in a course that is fun, meaningful and promotes active learning. They recognise that the investment in Level 3 training is significant and ensure that students are in the right position to successfully complete the course. The course specialises in a small training group experience with individual attention and support. The training is flexible enough to meet the individual needs and is a fully immersive experience held entirely outdoors (weather permitting) in beautiful woodlands. Charlotte's Wood in Wilby is a genuine Forest School site, allowing trainees to gain an understanding of the practical considerations in setting up your own Forest School. Trainees also benefit from running their own Forest School session with local children which provides hands-on experience and practical preparation for to run your ‘Introduction to Forest School’ programme. The training is designed to provide extensive tutor support leading to very high completion rates. The course (and coursework) is split into manageable blocks with portfolio tutorials and workshops during the course where trainees can work collaboratively on written assignments with personalised support from the course tutors. Our course has been developed and improved over more than ten years of training Forest School Leaders and as a result we believe that our current offer is unique, delivering the highest quality of training and the best levels of support for trainees.

Our Level 3 Forest School Leader training course takes approximately one year to complete and includes: • A pre-course Zoom call to start to build community amongst the group. • 6 days of initial face to face training (split into 2 blocks of 3 days to make these manageable with other work and family commitments). • 4 practical skills days which includes a day focusing on outdoor cooking and food safety, the opportunity to work with other students to lead a Forest School session for a small group of children and an option to camp over wherever possible. • A Level 2 Food Safety qualification. • The option to complete your 16 hour Outdoor First Aid training (a mandatory element of the Level 3 qualification) at a significantly reduced price. • An opportunity to visit either Charlotte or Sarah to observe the Forest School ethos and principles in practice. • A half day mentoring visit from one of the tutors whilst you are running your own ‘Introduction to Forest School’ programme. • Two 2-hour Portfolio Tutorials and three one-day Portfolio Workshops where assignments are explained and guidance given on your coursework portfolio. During the Portfolio Workshops there will be time for you to work on your assignments. • One year of FREE membership to the Forest School Association. • A copy of the Forest School Bible worth £29.99! ‘Growing a Forest School – from the Roots Up!’ has been written by FSA Endorsed Trainers (including a chapter written by Charlotte). • An optional Skills Share Day after the course to enable students to get together to improve their practical skills.