What Is Forest School Training?

Today I’m going to look at a popular Google question ‘What is Forest School training?’

You may or may not know that to be able to deliver a Forest School programme you have to have a specific qualifications called a Forest School level 3.

Ultimately this gives your Forest School leader status and without it you can not be classed as a Forest School.

For those eagle eyed spotters you will wonder well if a Leader is number 3 where are 1 and 2?

I’d go further and say there is also a number 4!

Let’s take a look at each of these training levels.

Level 1 — This is an introductory course to the movement and is usually 2 days in duration. This would be suitable for someone who is completely new to the movement and those who have no educational background. For those with an educational background look toward 2 or 3.

Level 2 — Forest School assistant training

A little like a teaching assistant or nursery nurse role, students will need to assist on 3 sessions of Forest School run by a qualified level 3 Forest School Leader and write up their observations to gain the qualification.

This is a good training level to choose if you want to gain some experience at Forest School first, before embarking on the full Level 3 Forest School Leader course. Once you have gained this level 2 qualification you can choose to top-up to level 3. This is usually 4-day training course.

Level 3 — Forest School Leader

This is the nationally recognised level of training required if you want to lead at Forest School.

There are two assessments; Practical Skills Assessment and Written portfolio These are to be completed within 12 months of beginning, during which students will have to run a 6-week Forest School Programme with a group of children in an outdoor setting, preferably woodlands.

Students on this level of training will need to ensure they have a 2-day ITC Outdoor First Aid course or a Paediatric First Aid qualification before they start their 6-week Forest School Programme.

This is a 14-day training course, including 2 assessments over 12 months and can be quite intensive.

Level 4 — Forest School Trainer

This course is that of a Forest School trainer with a it’s own unique set of criteria and skills sets that are beyond the remit of this episode to be honest.

Now there are a large number of providers that offer the chance to qualify at each of these levels and I would recommend that you do your research and give each your due diligence!

To be blunt some training companies are pumping out practitioners below the level a professional, like myself, are happy to see flying the Forest School flag.

However, there are some fantastic companies who hold the true ethos at the heart of it all and are creating some inspiring and inspirational practitioners.

The real take away from this episode would be to think carefully if Forest School is something you can commit to and be a true practitioner who follows the ethos to a ‘T’.

Truthfully for too long Forest School was done ‘ad hoc’ and ‘willy nilly’ as it arose from a ground up type of structure, as apposed to a top down ethos and principle driven agenda.

Following the creation of the Forest School Association in the UK, a base level of standards has come to signify progress which is pleasing.

If you see it as a marketing tool as a apposed to a vehicle to real life enhancing change in children’s lives then… jog on mate.

A final piece to note is that I’m not a forest school training provider or affiliated to any provider or association.

I’m just me, a passionate Forest School practitioner who cares for the future of this beautiful thing.

Remember your just one session away…