Level 3 Leadership Training

Why do I need to train to become a Forest School Leader?

The Level 3 qualification you need to become fully qualified provides you with a broad-range of topics that come together to create top-quality Forest School Leaders. Becoming qualified means that you have obtained a professional standard.
Topics such as health and safety, risk assessment, tools use and campfire cooking sit comfortably alongside holistic learning and development, learning theories, play and woodland species identification to give you as a leader, a broad knowledge base.

What will I need to consider before I go on a training course?

You will need enthusiasm. Bags of this will go a long way! Your Forest School Adventure may start with your learning on a training course, but the learning will not end when you have your certificate…
Your school/setting/organisation/your self motivation will need to be behind you, as they will need to help you with organising and running your first project (which will happen during your training).
You will need to identify a site you can use and a group to work with (children of any age, young adults, adults).
The qualification takes at least 8 months to complete (most people need a year) and in addition to the training days you will produce a portfolio of evidence. You’re going to need to have some time you can dedicate to getting your work completed.
You should hold a current First Aid Qualification which should ideally include some elements of dealing with outdoor situations and paediatrics (if this is your client group) This is strongly recommended. Please check with your managers and insurance company as to what they recommend.
You will need a current Enhanced DBS check to work professionally with children and Young People

Entry Requirements

You will need a Level 2 Qualification (GCSE equivalent) in Education, Youth Work, Child care, or Forest School, Countryside Management or related topic ideally
At least two years experience with professionally managing your intended client groups e.g. children, Young People etc.
You must be 21 or over.

Please contact us to discuss entry requirements.

What does the training involve?

Forest School Leader (Level 3) Training with Forge Learning;

Your training course will consist of 6 days training with us. 4 days training and 2 days as your Practical Skills Assessment and practice time.
The training days are outdoor practical sessions, learning time and practice time building your confidence and skills. We aim to guide you gently through the qualification and make the time to discuss your personal requirements and situation. We want you to be a fantastic Forest School Leader.
After the course dates, you will have 9-12 months to complete a portfolio of work, including setting-up and running your first Forest School programme (minimum of 6 sessions, ideally more). During one of your sessions, we will visit you in your work place and run an observation assessment.

The theory side of the course will be managed via distance-learning. You will be sent digital access to all course paperwork and a distance-learning ‘plan of action’ to work through which contains a variety of teaching methods (e.g. video, power point presentations, questions, directed research etc.) This will be supported by an assigned tutor.

Included with your course;

Personalised support from an assigned tutor throughout the timescale of your qualification with us
A wide-range of course materials for self-directed learning
A work-place assessment visit providing personalised feedback on your practice and site development
A resources bag containing your starter kit of essential items; A Tarpaulin, Work gloves, Fire Steel, Tinder, Fire gloves, A Knife & Sharpening stone.
Free Forest School membership to Forge Learning’s on-line resource library.
Access to discounted First Aid for Forest School Training Courses
Access to CPD Training Courses to support your on-going Forest School journey

The Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders qualification consists of five units:

1: Learning and Development; Covering the understanding of learning, play and development in the outdoors. Holistic learning, play, self esteem and emotional intelligence.

2: Planning and Preparation; 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.

3: Delivery; Enabling the group leader to use assessment and evaluation techniques linked to child development.

4: The Woodland Environment; 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.

5: 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

Our Forest School accredited courses are accredited through the awarding body, ITC First. This course is approved by the Forest School Association.

How does the assessment work?

First of all, we assess you on an on-going basis during your course training days. The last two days of your course are a practical skills assessment. During this time, we will be specifically looking at assessing your abilities to safely and effectively teach outdoor practical skills. This assessment covers everything contained in your Practical Skills Unit, we aim to have this unit of study completed with you during these days.
When you run your Forest School sessions in your work place, an assessor will visit one session to assess you whilst you are leading. After your session you will receive feedback from your visiting tutor. This is a great opportunity to get specific feedback on your session and programme also, your site, setting, logistics and anything else.
Your portfolio is marked when it is handed in. If there is work in your portfolio which needs re-doing to pass, you have the opportunity to re-do your work and for it to be re-marked, until it is completed. We then have a system of Internal and External Verification to ensure our marking is of a consistent standard and quality.

How much does it cost?

Forest School Leader Level 3 Training costs between £900 per person. This covers all training days, observation assessment, portfolio marking and certification. This also covers tutor support.
If you live a long way from our training base in South Northamptonshire, let us know when you book, as there may be a small additional charge to cover travel costs.

Is there anything extra with my course?

Yes 🙂 we will support you with a huge amount of handouts and for each person we will include a ‘starter pack’ of useful equipment – this contains a penknife, a tarpaulin, a fire steel, fire gloves, work-gloves, a sharpening stone, string, cotton wool and petroleum jelly; this will help you during your training, give you something to practise with and get you started with your Forest School adventures.

If you are in a position to book a whole course, we are happy to talk to you about this. Please contact us to discuss the details.