5 days practical training and assessment

Over the course of 5 days running consecutively or one day a week for 5 weeks, (see below for course dates) you will be taught the following:

• How to look after and maintain your tools for Forest School.
• How to demonstrate and risk assess your tools effectively.
• How to use the tools to make something useful.
• How to tie knots and lashing that will help you build an awesome forest school area.
• How to put up a tarpaulin shelter.
• Fire lighting and campfire cooking, including how do this safely and hygienically; as well as how to risk assess the activities.
• Looking at forest management and how to reduce the impact of forest school on the natural environment
• How to risk assess your area for activities.
• Shelter building activities and risk assessments to do with this.

Forest School First Aid and Paediatric First aid

We have worked with two different first aid companies to provide our trainees with a good choice of locations and dates; FirstAid4Life and Really Good First Aid. Both companies offer the Forest School and Paediatric First Aid as a dual award. You can choose to pay for this straight away upon application (details of how to do this will be in the handbook we send out once we have processed your registration) or can opt to pay for it at a later date directly to them.

We have done this as we believe it represents the best industry standards and will help you save time in the future when you have to renew your first aid certification.

First Aid training is not compulsory however is strongly recommended if you do not hold an equivalent outdoor First Aid qualification.

Most Forest School First Aid training covers practical skills needed by those who work with children, providing the confidence and knowledge to deal with comprehensive life-saving first aid emergencies in the outdoor environment, including first aid for adult helpers.However, they do not replace a Paediatric first aid qualification that satisfies Early Years Foundation Stage practice guidance and statutory guidelines.

To that end, this course provides BOTH qualifications, namely Forest School and Paediatric, the benefits being that candidates only undertake two days training instead of four plus the school/organisation affected only has to manage two days cover instead of four!

If a Paediatric qualification is not required First Aid 4 Life also offer a Forest School only option.

First Aid 4 Life are on the National Register of Forest School First Aid Trainers.

Online access to course work and resources

Once you have completed the practical training you will be able to complete your portfolio of work from anywhere in the world! You will be given a unique log in and be able to access the course work and the other online resources available.

Access to continued tutor support via telephone and email

If at any point you need some help or support with your assignments or have a question about your Forest School you will be able to contact us via email and telephone during normal working hours.

One year to complete the course

You will be given one year to complete the course, which starts on the start date of your practical training sessions. It is a Level 3 qualification and we expect one year to be a reasonable time frame for you to complete your work.

Opportunities to complete your 6 sessions at one of our Forest Schools or our Forest School Kindergarten which is covered by our insurance

As part of the course you will have to run 6 sessions following 3 students as part of your portfolio.  We can provide opportunities for trainees to do this at one of our forest school settings as volunteers. This means that you will be covered by our insurance.

If you would like to complete the 6 sessions elsewhere then please make sure that you check with your insurance provider to ensure you are covered. If not I would recommend Birnbeck Insurance as they offer specialist insurance for people that are undertaking leader training.

Experienced and Friendly staff

Our staff come with a wealth of experience and knowledge of working in Forest Schools and other settings. We have and still do work with a wide range of people from Early Years, NEETS, medical consultants and all in between.

Plenty of tea and coffee!

It wouldn’t be Forest School Leader training without a good brew!

Cost

Level 3 Forest School Training – £900.
Payable by 9 monthly £100 installments if required. Standing order will be required.

Level 3 Forest School Training with First Aid – £1100
Payable by 11 monthly installments if required. Standing order will be required.