Forest School training FAQ's
Who accredits the course?
The accreditation for the training is provided through AIM awards - they offer the most up to date best practice version of Forest School training as agreed by the national guiding body - the Forest School Association.
FAQ's for Level 3
What does the training involve?
The training involves 7 days of immersive face to face sessions in the woods to ground you in the skills and experiences that can be offered at Forest School. In addition there is a series of supportive live on-line short background sessions about Forest School and the components of the qualification to support you in your written work. The full overview of the qualification is here(this does not include the guidance and supporting material you are given when you are on the course.)
Why can't the training all be done on-line
Although theoretically the training can be offered on-line in practice this is not something we feel happy to offer. As one recent trainee put it 'It would be like learning to drive on a simulator and then expect to be safe driving'. Also we find that people love being together outdoors in the woods, sharing their experiences together and supporting each other. A lot of people have provided feedback of how the experience of being outside has been really good for their well-being and has been something they really looked forward to each week.
What will happen prior to the training?
We will discuss the course with you in advance to look at whether it is suitable for you and answer questions you might have. Following you booking a place and just before the training there will be a one hour on-line introductory session looking at where Forest School has come from and why it is so successful as an approach to outdoor learning and development. For the level 3 course there will also be an induction on the evidence you need to submit to complete the qualification and links to course materials.
How is the onsite training supported?
The training is delivered outside in the woods (which is fairly flat and level but with plenty of natural obstacles) in a space that has been suitably risk assessed and laid out to support trainees health and well-being. Suitable guidance will be given to everyone to stay happy and safe whilst on the training. All those on the training will be encouraged to bring their own cup for refreshments as well as pens, notepad and a mobile phone to record what takes place on the course. The course is run in a supportive way encouraging everyone to learn from each other as well as the natural surroundings.
What will the 7 days of face to face training involve?
The first 5 days will have a strong focus on practical skills development through building confidence and ideas to develop your approach as a Forest School leader. During this time you will explore many common forest school activities from sensory games and exploration in the woodland environment to using tools and fires to enable you to use these in the future with your groups. The last 2 days of the formal training will then involve some supportive skills assessment on tools, fires & cooking and the use of ropes and knots. Have a look at this link on Youtube to see what sorts of things we get up to.
What will happen after the course?
There will be some more on-line support sessions as required and you will be provided with full course materials to start your written work. Then the priority will be to complete your handbook which will inform you future practice as a Forest School leader - you will be given full guidance on this. Once this is completed as a first draft you will submit this to receive some supportive feedback.
When can I start delivering sessions?
Once you have completed your skills assessments on the course and a usable handbook that has been commented on you can then start delivering your sessions assuming you have risk assessments, first aid provision and insurance in place. As part of completing the course components you will need to run 6 sessions with the same group - with a minimum group size of 6-8 - and ideally not more than 15. Do discuss this if this will be a challenge. Also these 6 sessions should have at least a few days between each session but not more than 2 weeks so they hold together and allow for reflection and processing of what went on.
What else will I need to complete?
You will also be observed or submit some video of you delivering a session with your group to provide an opportunity to gain some constructive feedback on your approach and practice. You will then need to complete all the written work that you will be given guidance on over the year following your face to to face training sessions.
How much written work is there?
There is no quick and easy way to complete the written element of the training but it does break down fairly logically. There are 5 units of work to complete the qualification. On the course you will complete most of the Practical Skills unit as part of an assessment - there will be a bit more writing up and compiling of this. Then you will work on a draft of your handbook which will help you complete quite a bit of the Planning & Prep. Unit as well as other bits of work. Following this you will start to plan, run and evaluate some sessions and this will complete the Delivery Unit. Your observations alongside reading/research will then inform your work on the Learning & Development unit. Finally some further reading and research on woodlands will enable you to complete the final Woodland Environment unit. If you are able to find a few hours each week this will progress fairly smoothly.
What first aid will best support delivery forest school?
If you are working on a normal school or nursery site and have a current first aid certificate then there is no need to redo you first aid till it runs out. Best practice for forest school and important if you are on a remote site is having outdoor or forest school first aid.
The accreditation for the training is provided through AIM awards - they offer the most up to date best practice version of Forest School training as agreed by the national guiding body - the Forest School Association.
FAQ's for Level 3
What does the training involve?
The training involves 7 days of immersive face to face sessions in the woods to ground you in the skills and experiences that can be offered at Forest School. In addition there is a series of supportive live on-line short background sessions about Forest School and the components of the qualification to support you in your written work. The full overview of the qualification is here(this does not include the guidance and supporting material you are given when you are on the course.)
Why can't the training all be done on-line
Although theoretically the training can be offered on-line in practice this is not something we feel happy to offer. As one recent trainee put it 'It would be like learning to drive on a simulator and then expect to be safe driving'. Also we find that people love being together outdoors in the woods, sharing their experiences together and supporting each other. A lot of people have provided feedback of how the experience of being outside has been really good for their well-being and has been something they really looked forward to each week.
What will happen prior to the training?
We will discuss the course with you in advance to look at whether it is suitable for you and answer questions you might have. Following you booking a place and just before the training there will be a one hour on-line introductory session looking at where Forest School has come from and why it is so successful as an approach to outdoor learning and development. For the level 3 course there will also be an induction on the evidence you need to submit to complete the qualification and links to course materials.
How is the onsite training supported?
The training is delivered outside in the woods (which is fairly flat and level but with plenty of natural obstacles) in a space that has been suitably risk assessed and laid out to support trainees health and well-being. Suitable guidance will be given to everyone to stay happy and safe whilst on the training. All those on the training will be encouraged to bring their own cup for refreshments as well as pens, notepad and a mobile phone to record what takes place on the course. The course is run in a supportive way encouraging everyone to learn from each other as well as the natural surroundings.
What will the 7 days of face to face training involve?
The first 5 days will have a strong focus on practical skills development through building confidence and ideas to develop your approach as a Forest School leader. During this time you will explore many common forest school activities from sensory games and exploration in the woodland environment to using tools and fires to enable you to use these in the future with your groups. The last 2 days of the formal training will then involve some supportive skills assessment on tools, fires & cooking and the use of ropes and knots. Have a look at this link on Youtube to see what sorts of things we get up to.
What will happen after the course?
There will be some more on-line support sessions as required and you will be provided with full course materials to start your written work. Then the priority will be to complete your handbook which will inform you future practice as a Forest School leader - you will be given full guidance on this. Once this is completed as a first draft you will submit this to receive some supportive feedback.
When can I start delivering sessions?
Once you have completed your skills assessments on the course and a usable handbook that has been commented on you can then start delivering your sessions assuming you have risk assessments, first aid provision and insurance in place. As part of completing the course components you will need to run 6 sessions with the same group - with a minimum group size of 6-8 - and ideally not more than 15. Do discuss this if this will be a challenge. Also these 6 sessions should have at least a few days between each session but not more than 2 weeks so they hold together and allow for reflection and processing of what went on.
What else will I need to complete?
You will also be observed or submit some video of you delivering a session with your group to provide an opportunity to gain some constructive feedback on your approach and practice. You will then need to complete all the written work that you will be given guidance on over the year following your face to to face training sessions.
How much written work is there?
There is no quick and easy way to complete the written element of the training but it does break down fairly logically. There are 5 units of work to complete the qualification. On the course you will complete most of the Practical Skills unit as part of an assessment - there will be a bit more writing up and compiling of this. Then you will work on a draft of your handbook which will help you complete quite a bit of the Planning & Prep. Unit as well as other bits of work. Following this you will start to plan, run and evaluate some sessions and this will complete the Delivery Unit. Your observations alongside reading/research will then inform your work on the Learning & Development unit. Finally some further reading and research on woodlands will enable you to complete the final Woodland Environment unit. If you are able to find a few hours each week this will progress fairly smoothly.
What first aid will best support delivery forest school?
If you are working on a normal school or nursery site and have a current first aid certificate then there is no need to redo you first aid till it runs out. Best practice for forest school and important if you are on a remote site is having outdoor or forest school first aid.