This course is designed for individuals wishing to lead and manage a forest school programme with young people or adults.
A forest school is an inspirational process that offers children, young people and adults of all abilities regular opportunities to gain confidence and raise self-worth through a series of hands-on learning experiences in school grounds and local woodlands.
What is Forest School training like? Watch this slideshow to see.
Awarding organisation
The Open College Network South East Region.
Course requirements
Participants should be qualified teachers, youth workers or teaching assistants with significant experience of working with young people or adults.
All participants must be CRB checked.
Before you can lead Forest Schools, you need a first aid qualification. The First Aid qualification can be either First Aid at Work (3 days) or the Intermediate Temporary Care (ITC) Qualification First Aid in the Outdoors (2 days) and is valid for 3 years. Due to the outdoor nature of the work it is recommended that the ITC qualification is gained in addition to the First Aid at Work especially if Forest School sessions are to be led in remote locations.
Please contact Mike Murphy if you are unsure if this course is suitable for you.
Course outline
- Learning and development at forest school
- Basic forest school practical skills
- Establishment and delivery of a forest school programme
Commitments (90 hrs)
- five days of theory and practice
- one residential weekend (Friday evening – Sunday afternoon). Date to be set by participants.
- one day for practical assessment
- A completed portfolio of tasks which must be submitted within nine months of the start of the course
Additional benefits
- Two mentoring days to assist you with the completion of portfolio and to help with the development of your forest school.
Available dates
- 26-30 March 2012: Pucks Oak Barn, Surrey Wildlife Trust reserve near Guildford
- 21-25 May 2012: Bolnore Primary School, Haywards Heath, West Sussex
- 8-12 October 2012: Friston Forest, near Seaford, East Sussex.
- Monday 14-Friday 18 November 2011.FULL BOOKED Friston Forest, Seaford, East Sussex. PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE FOR THIS COURSE
Maximum numbers, 14 on each course
Course costs: £800 per person, including course fees, training, mentoring, assessment and the residential weekend.
To book a place and for further information please contact
Mike Murphy, Education Development Officer, Sussex Wildlife Trust,
Seven Sisters Country Park, Exceat, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 4AD.
Tel: 01323 871328 or email here
Click here to download overnight kit list