Forest School Training
Continuous Professional Development in Forest Schools
The knowledge that was passed on was great. Immersed in the woods, we really took on the Forest School atmosphere, the ethos and learned lots from the trainers.Beacon C of E Primary School in Liverpool
Our Education team has been running Forest School training courses since 2013. Our experienced and trained Forest School practitioners, who are DBS checked and each hold a certificate in outdoor first aid, regularly plan and deliver programmes to nurseries, pre-schools, home education groups and KS1-4.
The content covered in the courses is based upon our trainers’ many years of experience, as well as contemporary research and best practise surrounding pedagogy, nature connection and woodland management.
We run accredited Level 2 Forest School Assistant and Level 3 Forest School Leader training courses at Brockholes Nature Reserve in Preston, Mere Sands Wood in Rufford and The Hive at Moss Bank Park in Bolton.
Discover a teacher’s Forest School journey as Becca shares her experience of training as a Forest School Leader with the Lancashire Wildlife Trust.
As a child, I loved playing outside and now, thanks to Forest School, I’ve come to love the outdoors again. I find it so rewarding seeing the impact Forest School has on children and their ability to take risks.Our Lady Immacuate Primary School in Liverpool
AIM Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders (RQF)
AIM Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders (RQF)
Cost: £875
Level 3 Forest School Leader Training will equip you with the skills and knowledge to become a Forest School Leader, allowing you to set up and run Forest School sessions on your own site, supporting children and young people to regularly engage with the natural environment.
Over five consecutive days, you will learn how to use the outdoor environment to encourage and inspire children to grow in confidence, independence and self-esteem through the mastery of small, achievable tasks. The course will equip you with a range of practical outdoor skills and knowledge. You will:
- Develop an understanding of the Forest School ethos and its principles.
- Gain an understanding of child learning and development theories and their relation to Forest School.
- Learn practical skills that will enrich your Forest School programmes including safe fire-lighting and siting, outdoor cooking, tool use and maintenance, games and wildlife identification.
- Learn knowledge and skills to sustainably manage your Forest School site.
- Learn how to plan, deliver and evaluate a Forest School programme.
As part of your training, you will need to attend three additional practical skill assessment days, to ensure confidence and competence when facilitating sessions using tools and fire. During these three days, trainees will also be required to deliver a 'team teach' to their peers on a topic related to Forest School theory. Each trainee will be provided with access to an online learning portal to support them during their training journey
You will need to plan and run an 'Introduction to Forest School programme', consisting of no less than six sessions, with the same group of participants. You will need access to a suitable outdoor space as well as a client group to work with. We strongly advise that a site and group to work with are secured prior to undertaking the training course.
Our Trainers will be on hand to offer advice and support via email and face-to-face at study days.
Students on the leadership course will need to complete a two-day Outdoor First Aid course in order to obtain the qualification, which is not included in our course. We can assist you in accessing an appropriate Outdoor First Aid course should you need help. For more information about Outdoor First Aid courses click here.
Oropendola Productions
Upcoming Courses
AIM Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders (RQF)
Location: Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston, PR5 0AG
Initial Training Week: Monday 10th – Friday 14th February 2025 (9.30am – 4.30pm)
Practical Skills Assessment: Wednesday 12th – Friday 14th March 2025 (9.30am – 4.30pm)
Forest School training in action
AIM Level 2 Award for Forest School Assistants (RQF)
AIM Level 2 Award for Forest School Assistants (RQF)
Cost: £450
Forest School Level 2 will enable you to work as a Forest School Assistant alongside a Level 3 Practitioner, helping with the setting up and running of Forest School; supporting both the Leader and participants during programmes.
The Level 2 Award for Forest School Assistants training course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to encourage and inspire children to grow in confidence, independence and self-esteem through the mastery of small, achievable tasks. You will:
- Develop an understanding of the Forest School ethos and its principles.
- Learn practical skills that will allow you to assist the Forest School Leader to enrich Forest School programmes including safe fire-lighting and siting, tool use and maintenance, games and wildlife identification.
- Develop an understanding of sustainable woodland management.
- Learn knowledge and skills to support the Forest School Leader in planning, delivering and evaluating a Forest School session.
As part of your training, you will need to attend a practical skill assessment day and complete a portfolio of evidence. You will also need to support a Forest School Leader at three Forest School sessions with the same group of participants over three consecutive weeks. You will be expected to help plan and evaluate these sessions.
Trainers are available to offer advice and support via email.
Upcoming Courses
AIM Level 2 Award for Forest School Assistants (RQF)
Future courses will be announced shortly.
Forest School Taster Day/Half Day Course for Adults
Looking for a Forest School experience for your staff?
We offer bespoke experience days for adults wanting to gain an understanding of the Forest School ethos and approach. We share knowledge and skills related to outdoor learning and conservation that you can apply in your own setting.
We run our taster experiences at our beautiful wetland nature reserve at Brockholes in Preston or, depending on site suitability, we can come to you (mileage costs will apply).
Our taster sessions are ideal for those looking for additional training as a Forest School Leader or Assistant, Continuous Professional Development, a staff reward day, a team building day opportunity or an option for an inset day.
Our enthusiastic and experienced team can deliver sessions on request for groups of up to 20 adults with 2 of our practitioners. Full day and half day courses are available. Please get in touch to arrange your preferred dates.
You will find out how Forest School supports children and adults of all abilities to learn in the great outdoors. You will experience specifically designed practical hands-on activities and discover ways to incorporate them into your own setting, ranging from:
- Safe fire building and campfire cooking
- Bushcraft skills using hand tools
- Making shelters and woodland games
- Learning about woodland plants and animals
- Making environment art from clay and other natural materials
Please bring along:
- A packed lunch
- Sturdy footwear (walking boots or wellies)
- Clothes appropriate for the weather - be prepared to spend the whole day in the woods
- A pen, notebook and a camera
A fun and engaging session. It's given me lots of ideas and the confidence to carry them out in lessons.Hyndburn Park Primary School, Accrington
Molly Toal
Get in touch
To make a booking or for more information about our forest school sessions, training and our other services, please contact us via email or telephone:
T: 01772 872017
E: eduadmin@lancswt.org.uk
