Intensive Forest School Leader Training

Person-centred, nature-based training

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

Ages: 18+ years

Available tickets:
Pay in 4 instalments £2300Needs an invoice £2250Intensive Accredited FSL £2250
Next date: Saturday 5th Jul,
Our pedagogy
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. Courses are 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. We offer small, person-centred cohorts, ensuring a supportive learning environment. We are committed to helping our trainees adopt Forest School's pedagogical approach while making it relevant to their countries, cultures, and contexts. 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. Individuals can create bespoke training with us, such as attending Forest School sessions with one of our trainers as top-up days. Training is run at the inspirational Sylva Foundation Wood Centre, where we spend time in the Future Forest Forest School site planted by local schools, beautiful ancient woodlands and a local nature reserve. This intensive training has been designed to meet the needs of international colleagues travelling from other countries and UK residents who prefer a deep-dive face-to-face learning experience; our experiential workshops have been condensed over three weeks. This training will build a close-knit community that continues to provide support as trainees return to their home countries to set up and run their Forest School programmes. Monthly group webinars will ensure that people can learn from others further in their Forest School journey, ask questions, seek diverse perspectives, and share challenges and successes. Individual mentoring and coaching will help you develop a culturally relevant programme. Our programme includes visits to Forest School in action, the required two-day First Aid and recommended specialist Outdoor Food Safety training ( both accredited), a year-long subscription to Red Squirrel resources (lively online materials), Forest School Association student membership, leadership coaching and supportive interactive Zoom webinars. The in-person training lasts three weeks. After that, you will need to develop your Forest School Handbook, run your Introduction to Forest School programme (at least six sessions ), and complete an e-portfolio. The timescale for completion will be anywhere from 6 months to 3 years. It is up to you. Join us to become part of a growing and supportive international learning community and experience the transformative power of quality Forest School practice.
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 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 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!
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
International and UK-based educators, youth leaders, early years practitioners, health care and 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. Although we recognise transferrable skills, participants usually have prior experience working with their planned client group (Contact Sarah Lawfull directly if this is not the case on 078282 34952).
Learning aims
Aim 1
Understand the ethos and principles of Forest School and put them into practice through setting up and running an Introduction to Forest School programme.
Aim 3
To develop confidence in a wide range of practical skills using ropes, tools, fire and natural materials, knowing why and how to use these with client groups whilst minimising the ecological impact.
Aim 5
To understand woodland ecology, identify plants and animals in your site and create a sustainable management plan with your client group.
Aim 2
Understand the benefits of choice and risky, challenging play and have the knowledge and confidence to provide profound learning opportunities in a woodland environment.
Aim 4
To build learning power and develop reflective practice in yourself and the groups you work with.
Aim 6
To create your own Forest School Handbook, with policies and procedures relevant to your country, cultural context and the needs of your client group.
Travel/ Accomodation
Sylva Wood Centre is accessible by taxi from Didcot Parkway railway station and lies on the Sustrans National Bike Route 5. Local accommodation may be found in Long Wittenham, Little Wittenham, Didcot, Abingdon, or Oxford. We will help you connect with other trainees before travelling to the UK so that you can share transport and accommodation where helpful. Light breakfast and refreshments will be provided each day.
Pricing information
Ticket namePay in 4 instalments
Price£2300
Information4 instalments - £1000 deposit / £500/ £500/ £300
Ticket nameNeeds an invoice
Price£2250
Ticket nameIntensive Accredited FSL
Price£2250
InformationIncludes VAT
LEARNER REFLECTIONS0 reflections
Where we'll be
Sylva Foundation Wood Centre , Training Barn , Long Wittenham, Oxfordshire, OX14 4QT
WHAT’S PROVIDED
Drinks
Snacks
Meals
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 one month before commencement of training. 75% between one 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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