Transform Education with Forest School Training
Training as a Forest School Leader provides you with the opportunity to create enriching outdoor experiences for all children, allowing them to connect deeply with nature.
By offering children with a space that they can regularly visit and take part in fun and engaging nature-based experiences and activities, you inspire a connection to nature that fosters environmental stewardship, creativity, curiosity and exploration.
What is Forest School?
Forest School is an educational approach focused on child-centered learning, fostering independence, and connecting with nature. Originating in Scandinavia, it has become an essential part of early years education, known for enhancing children’s physical, mental, and social development through outdoor activities. This method provides hands-on learning experiences that help children develop confidence and resilience while exploring and interacting with the natural environment.
The Benefits of Becoming a Forest School Leader
Our Forest School Leader training program offers significant personal and professional development opportunities. Participants will acquire valuable skills in outdoor education, leadership, and child development, enhancing both their personal growth and career prospects. Completing this training opens doors to becoming a certified Forest School Leader, providing opportunities for career advancement in education, childcare, and outdoor learning environments. Expand your skill set and advance your career with our comprehensive training program.
Fostering Independence and Self-Esteem
As a Forest School Leader, you will create opportunities for children to make choices, take risks, and learn from their experiences. This autonomy fosters independence and builds self-esteem, empowering children to become confident and capable individuals.
Enhancing Physical and Mental Well-Being
Outdoor learning activities in Forest School settings promote physical health through active play and exploration. Additionally, the natural environment has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, supporting children’s mental well-being and emotional resilience.
Creating Community
Forest School encourages collaborative learning, where children work together to solve problems and achieve common goals. This social interaction enhances communication skills and fosters a sense of community
This qualification is composed of 5 units, consisting of:
Unit 1: Learning & Development
Application of learning and development theory, understanding of impact of behaviour to learning and development, holistic learning and development at Forest School.
Unit 2: Planning
The development of Forest School ethos supported by policies and procedures and understanding the ecological impact when planning a Forest School Programme.
Unit 3: Delivery
Deliver, assess and evaluate a Forest School Leader programme.
Unit 4: Practical Skills
Facilitating a range of woodland skills, including campfire management appropriate to a Forest School Programme.
Unit 5: The Woodland Environment
Woodland structure, identification of flora and fauna, and sustainable woodland management at Forest School.
Assessment:
Assessment tasks will result in each candidate producing a portfolio of evidence meeting each assessment criteria in each unit.
Blended Learning Approach
We now offer a blended approach with courses completed via a mix of E-Learning, online tutorials & practical training days as part of a well-rounded self-directed study programme that is flexible, inclusive and enables you as the learner to choose the pace of your learning and to join us on your study programme throughout the calendar year.
5 days initial training
1 day Practical Skills Assessment Day
Floorbook (TM) training
Theory is completed via our E-Learning system and can be completed at own pace (submission within 9 months).
The E-Learning contains videos, resources and quizzes help you along with your studies.
Theory will be assessed via a portfolio that can be downloaded from our E-Learning Library.
Course Commitment:
Total Qualification Time: 180 Hours
Course Duration: 9 Months
8-11 Practical Days in Person
This qualification is worth 18 Credits at Level 3
You will be assessed via a portfolio and a practical skills assessment day
Aims:
This qualification is intended to provide the skills and knowledge required to set up and deliver safe and effective Forest School programmes and for those who wish to become Forest School Leaders.
Suitable for:
Adults wanting to lead inclusive, learner-centred approaches in the outdoors e.g. Childcare practitioners, health practitioners, teaching professionals and outdoor professionals.
Meet the Trainers
Darren Lewis
As a qualified Teacher, Forest School Leader and Trainer, Darren founded Ignite following a visit to Sweden where he observed first-hand the multitude of benefits children experience through learning in the outdoors. After becoming the first teaching practitioner in Wales to become a certified Swedish Outdoor Learning pedagogue, Darren established Dare Valley Forest School based in Aberdare.
As a former Director of the Forest School Association and Training Consultant for Mindstretchers™ and current Forest Kindergarten Ambassador for the UK, Darren’s vision is to enable children in Wales to experience the rich learning experiences that only outdoor environments can provide to enable their full potential to be ignited and nurtured.
Sapphire Lewis
Sapphire is a qualified Teacher, Forest School Leader, Trainer and Playworker. Sapphire has followed her passion for the outdoors and is the leader of Dare Valley Forest School after an extensive period of volunteering with our company.
Following her PGCE (PcET) where she undertook research into how to improve learner engagement via online learning, Sapphire has become one of our Trainers and has created our brand new E-Learning system.
Upcoming Courses
Participate in a range of Forest School experiences and achieve the Practical skills unit at our woodland centre (flexible dates are available x 5 dates per year).
Spring 2025
Dare Valley Community Woodland, Aberdare
Practical Days: March 19th, March 20th, March 21st, April 9th, April 10th, April 11th
Cost: £1100
Summer 2025
Dare Valley Community Woodland, Aberdare
Practical Days: May 15th, May 16th, May 22nd, May 23rd, June 19th, June 20th
Cost: £1100