Forest School Training
National Quality Training. Quality Local Support.
Training to become Forest School Leaders and Assistants
Our training team have years of Forest School experience and are OCN approved Forest School trainers, member of the Forest School Trainer's Network and are qualified in both the area in which they teach and in teaching and assessing adult learners. We offer the following courses:
Introduction to Forest School— A non-accredited 1 day course that will suit those considering training as a Forest School leader, assistant or anyone who would like to learn more about Forest School. £50pp
Forest School Assistant - OCN Level 2—Designed for those who will support Forest School leaders, this 3 day accredited level 2 training focuses upon development of practical skills and understanding of the ethos of Forest School. Assessment takes place during the course and coursework support is available. £300pp
Forest School Practitioner- OCN Level 3 - A mixture of practical and classroom training sessions are delivered over the initial five days, with our qualified and experienced tutors facilitating and supporting learning. The two further “skills days” focus upon development and assessment of practical skills. Includes locally provided mentoring & support systems including personal support in completing qualification. Assessment in your own setting. No need to travel or take more time off to be assessed for your OCN qualification. Existing first aid qualifications may be suitable for this course, so no extra cost has been included. Entry requirements exist. £700pp
2012 Course Dates:
Forest School Practitioner- OCN Level 3 - Cost £700pp (No VAT) Non-residential.
- Monday 6th – Friday 10th February 2012 (Plus Thursday 23rd & Friday 24th February 2012 ) 9.30-4.30
- Monday 1st - Friday 5th October 2012 (Plus Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd October 2012) 9.30-4.30
Forest School Assistant - OCN Level 2 - Cost £300pp (No VAT) Non-residential.
- Wednesday 7th —Friday 9th November 2012. 9.30-4.30 Wolseley Centre
ITC 16 hour Emergency Outdoor First Aid. (Forest School Trainers Network Requirement Compliant) £110 (No VAT)
- Thursday 15th & Friday 16th March 2012. 9am-6pm. FULL.
- Thursday 22nd & Friday 23rd November 2012. 9am-6pm.
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust will be hosting this 2 day first aid qualification that is required by all Forest School Level 3 leaders and is suitable for anyone who does not work in an office based role or works in more remote locations. This practical course is delivered by HSE approved, ITC qualified and FSTN approved first aid trainers and focuses on incident and accident management in situations where an ambulance maybe more than 9 minutes away, in addition to covering the core first aid topics (CPR, dealing with breaks, sprains, cuts, burns etc). Qualification valid for 3 years.
To book or for more information please contact Shelley Arnold on Tel: 07971 046820 or email: s.arnold@staffs-wildlife.org.uk
What does training involve?
Level 3 Forest Schools Leadership
The Forest School Level 3 Leader qualification comprises three units of study. (18 credits)
Unit 1: Learning and Development at Forest School covers many elements of how different people learn, building self esteem and emotional intelligence, researching other theories of learning and how they relate to Forest School.
Unit 2: Establishment and Delivery revolves around managing health and safety, risk assessments, session planning and evaluating. As part of this unit, students are required to run a minimum of six Forest School sessions.
Unit 3: Practical Skills and Woodland Management. This unit looks at creating a site management plan, identifying flora and fauna and looking at environmental impact. This unit also covers all aspects of your practical skills - teaching others to use tools safely, creating items from wood, building a shelter from natural materials, safely siting, lighting, cooking on and extinguishing a camp fire.
PLEASE NOTE: The level 3 leadership qualification is the only qualification you can have which allows you to lead a Forest School and also to call your programme a Forest School.
Course entry requirements:
In order to complete the Forest School Leadership Training you need to have a 16 hour First Aid qualification. Previously any 16+ hour first aid training was sufficient, including First Aid at Work. However, in December we were advised that the Forest School Trainers Network now requires all trainees to complete a 16 hour outdoor first aid with paediatrics for Forest School leader First Aid course, delivered by trainers who are in compliance with the Forest School Leaders training. You do not need this qualification to begin training, but you will need it before you begin your sessions. Staffordshire Wildlife Trust can help you source a suitable trainer and host courses at the Wolseley Centre onto which you can book yourself.
You will need to identify a suitable site to use for your sessions. Ideally this should be somewhere which can be dedicated to use for Forest School, have a variety of habitats and be accessible for your client group.
You should hold an existing CRB check
You will need suitable insurance cover
You will need to work with a group to complete your qualification, we would expect that you have this arranged before you come to do your training.
Level 3 courses are equivalent to A-level difficulty. You may wish to consider this before you access the training.
Included in the cost of your course: - all days of training, portfolio marking, half day assessment to be carried out in your own setting, all on-course assessments and phone and email support from a local trainer.
Level 2 Forest Schools Assistant
The training comprises three days of training with tutor contact time. These days are mostly practical, but will contain some classroom elements. Students then have 3 months to complete a workbook.
The Assistant qualification consists of two units of study (4 credits).
Unit 1: Skills for the Forest School Assistant covers topics such as risk assessment, flora and fauna identification, managing ecological impact and practical skills such as knot tying, shelter building using tools and fire.
Unit 2: Supporting Learning and Development at Forest School covers how to support learning and development, understanding the importance of play/self directed learning, helping to build self confidence and assisting with a successful Forest School programme. This unit requires you to assist with a minimum of three Forest School sessions
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:
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 check
Level 2 courses are equivalent to GCSE difficulty. You may wish to consider this before you access the training.
Included in the cost of your course: - all days of training, workbook marking and on-course assessments.
Comparison of courses:
Comparison Item Level 3 Level 2
Duration of training (contact tutor time) 7 days 3 days
Number of Units Three Two
Time allowed to complete coursework 9 months 3 months
Self-directed study time (estimate) 120 hours up to 30 hours
Number of sessions which must be run 6 sessions 3 sessions (assist with)
Cost per person £700 £300
Equivalent qualification level A-Level GCSE
Keep up to date with all the latest news, events and sightings