Forest Schools Leadership Training

Our Forest School training is run by Get Out Of The Classroom www.getoutoftheclassroom.

We are members of the Forest School Association and the National Forest School Trainers Network.

We have a strong belief in support for students to help them gain their qualifications, which we hope is reflected in our ethos of providing local training and support for our students. We believe in quality Forest School provision for all, which should start with the training provision.

We can offer phone and e-mail support which is available after hours plus we can offer tutorial visits, site visits, and help with site development.

Certificate in Leading Forest School (Level 3)

The Forest School Level 3 Leader qualification comprises five units of study. (14 credits)

• Unit 1: Supporting Learning, Play and Development in the Outdoors; Covering the understanding of learning, play and development in the outdoors. Holistic learning, play, self-esteem and emotional intelligence.
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• Unit 2:Forest School Leader; Looking at the details involved with leadership of Forest School programmes linked to child development, including health and safety, risk assessment, programme planning and session delivery.
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• Unit 3: Observation and Evaluation of Outdoor Learning; enabling the group leader to use assessment and evaluation techniques linked to child development.
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• Unit 4: Sustainable use of Natural Resources; Looking at understanding ecology and use of sustainable use of natural resources for learning. Identification of local species, simple site management, sustainability of natural resources and spaces.
• Unit 5: Teaching Outdoor Practical Skills; to enable the group leader to teach safe practical skills and campfire management. Teaching the safe use of small hand tools, using a campfire to cook on, using knots.

Criteria:

• -You need to be over the age of 19.
• -You will need to identify a natural site you can use - This could be the corner edge of your school field, the old redundant nature area, the council allotment, a woody area. There is lots of successful Forest School programs that take place in the smallest of spaces (Sometimes with no trees.) Do not let the size or state of your space put you off. There is opportunities anywhere!
• -You will need a Level 2 Qualification in Education, Youth Work, or Child care. (Level 2 Qualification is  level 2 NVQ)  Level 2 Qualification in Forest School, Countryside, And Woodland Management etc.
  
• -AND at least two years' experience with client groups.
• Full attendance on all 8 days training is required to
• complete the qualification.
• You need to teach a minimum of 6 Forest School session with your chosen client group.
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• Course length: 8 days (9 months in total)

We strongly recommend that you hold a relevant First Aid Qualification.

Cost is £840 including lunch and OCN registration

Please visit https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels to find out more information about qualifications

The Level 3 Forest School Leadership qualification is recommended by the Forest School Association and National Forest School Trainers Network to be the only qualification you can have which allows you to lead a Forest School programme and to call your project a Forest School.

Level 3 courses are equivalent to A-level difficulty. You may wish to consider this before you access the training.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Award in Assisting Forest Schools Level 2

The Level 2 course is accredited by the Open College Network Wales (Agored Cymru). The qualification is nationally recognised.

The training comprises three to four days of training with tutor contact time. These days are mostly practical, but will contain some classroom element. Students then have 3 months to complete a workbook.

The Award in Assisting Forest School Level 2 qualification consists of four units of study;

Supporting Learning, Play and Development in the Outdoors; Looking at holistic development and how learning outdoors supports this.

Sustainable Use of Natural Resources; understanding the ecology of a natural environment and the sustainable use of natural resources

Outdoor Practical Skills; Being able to carry out a range of outdoor practical tasks including safe tools and campfire use, shelter building, making items from natural resources

Assist at Forest School; Looking at the role of the assistant, helping to plan and support Forest School sessions plus risk/benefits analysis

PLEASE NOTE: This qualification does not qualify you to lead a Forest School. You should already be working with an existing Forest School leader to qualify for this course.

Course entry requirements:

An existing Level 1 qualification or equivalent (1 GCSE)

You should be working with an existing Forest School leader. If you wish to run your own Forest School sessions, you should look at the level 3 qualification.

You should hold an existing CRB/DBS check

Level 2 courses are equivalent to GCSE difficulty. You may wish to consider this before you access the training.

Continuous Professional Development

One day courses, half day courses or twilight courses for Teachers, Educational Professionals, Forest School Leaders, Rangers, Parents, anyone with an interest in the outdoors.

Please see the list of courses in our Short Courses section