Training FAQs:
Who runs the training?
Our Forest School training is led by Sarah Lawfull and Sarah Walker
Where the Fruit Is draws on the expertise of knowledgeable experts in the fields of education, bushcraft, forestry and Health and Safety training, with whom we have built effective working partnerships.
Our co-trainers and volunteers are all practising Forest School leaders, trainers or participants themselves, keen to share their passion for the Forest School approach, committed to their own professional development, in service of the groups they work with and the wider Forest School community.
What is the difference between L3 Forest Kindergarten: Local Nature Play training and L3 Forest School leader training?
Forest School trainers and early years practitioners have developed FKLNP training to provide an alternative to Forest School leader training.
FKLNP gives early years colleagues confidence to explore local nature play spaces with their children, understand why nature is essential, and build a sense of place together.
Forest School leader training is a much deeper dive into learning in and through woodlands, with significant time spent on woodland ecology and management and practical skills, using tools, fire and ropes. FKLNP training takes much less time and does not qualify you to lead Forest School sessions.
What happens if I cannot make all the Forest School training course dates?
We have developed a flexible training model that means if you miss a workshop due to staffing issues at work, ill health, or a big family event, you can choose alternative dates and add further workshops to the end of your training. We work with you to ensure that everything is covered and you get sufficient face-to-face time to meet the requirements of the qualification.
We are able to work with you to create a bespoke training programme where you train alongside one of our Recognised Providers, attending Forest School sessions, learning on the job, and joining regular training cohorts for workshops throughout the year on dates that work for you.
How long does it take to qualify?
Qualification awarded within 4 months.
Level 2- usually three x 2 day Modules, over three months. Portfolio submitted within 5 months of beginning training.
Qualification awarded within 7 months of beginning training.
Level 3 – usually 12 training days over 6 modules, takes 6 months. Portfolio submitted within 10 months of beginning training.Qualification within 13 months of beginning training. Different training models may take more/less time to reach qualification.
What does the training look and feel like?
Course participants will access practical learning experiences in natural woodland environments at sites around the county through which they will be supported to reflect on their own effectiveness as learners and then educators.
As the modules progress the work becomes progressively more practical. Assignments are spread throughout the course. We even provide you with real children or young people to run a Forest School session for!
What will the training equip me to do?
L2 – support a L3 Forest School Leader in the safe delivery of a Forest School programme, taking care of the site.
L3 – safely deliver a long term Forest School programme, manage a Forest School site, measure and communicate the outcomes.
The L3 Leader training covers key aspects of Health and Safety (e.g. Risk Benefit approach) along with relevant legislation, the pedagogy of learning and development – the hows and whys of educational approaches- practical woodland skills, woodland management and site development.
Participants become agents of their own physical and mental well-being whilst developing their knowledge and understanding of safety and group management in wild places. They rediscover the joys of play and rich rewards of autonomy with plenty of opportunities to work collaboratively, sharing good practice with other practitioners whilst building a Forest School handbook.
Will I get to see Forest School in action?
How will I know if I am doing it ‘right’?
The portfolio, handbook and delivery assessment demonstrate how the trainee leader meets their learners’ needs, reflecting the Forest School ethos and principles.
Assessment is ongoing throughout the training, feedback and support given by tutors at all stages of the learner’s Forest School journey.
Why do I need the Outdoor First Aid qualification?
Our Level 3 training includes a two day Outdoor Learning First Aid qualification which covers the requirements for Emergency Paediatric First Aid and exceeds the recommendations for an ‘Emergency First Aid at Work’ first aider within a workplace.
Coaching FAQs:
Coaching
Our professional coach is Sarah Lawfull, an experienced educator and trainer, committed to connecting people and nature, for the health and well-being of both. Sarah is a member of the Henley Coaching Centre, the ICF and a fellow of the RSA.
Do you use a particular method of coaching?
We coach in and through nature, believing that we all do our best thinking when our roof is the sky or we are at least feeling relaxed, remembering beautiful places we enjoy.
Experienced in a number of coaching tools and approaches we are able to choose the most appropriate for you.
We also believe that who we are, the generative listening we bring to the coaching conversation are significant factors alongside the richness of the natural world, enabling you to consider possibilities and change behaviours.
Where a specific coaching model or tool might offer a different perspective, we will agree on this as part of an ‘experiment in thinking’.
What does coaching through nature look like?
This depends on your needs and preferences. Sometimes we walk and talk in a woodland, a local park or across downland, sometimes we might light a fire to make a cup of tea or just sit quietly in a garden. We will coach outside in all weathers, as best fits your needs.
Do you coach virtually?
Before the advent of Covid19, we would have said a vehement no to this question.
Lockdown has shown us that we are all hugely adaptable. We have learned it is possible to coach very effectively through nature via Zoom.
Circumstances may mean we meet via Zoom and share photographs of favourite places or remember a significant moment when we felt inspired by the weather.
Technology has connected us in new and exciting ways.
Who do you coach?
Any individuals, leaders and teams committed to improving outcomes for the people they work with through an open mind, willing to do things differently and take on new ways of thinking.
To quote Peter Hawkins, we coach, “People who are hungry to learn”, those wholeheartedly seeking change.
Who benefits from coaching?
When your purpose informs your vision, priorities and performance, the children, young people and families you serve will thrive.
Coaching helps you become more self-aware, able to build more effective relationships, and inspire people, personally and professionally.
Our families, friends and colleagues all benefit, as do we ourselves.
What brings someone to coaching?
Wanting to make a difference and feel that life is purposeful, alongside facing new challenges, are the most cited reasons our clients give us.
Generally a desire to change life as it is, creating a future that is happier, values-driven, impactful and more satisfying.
Why does coaching work?
Making space and time to think is a powerful motivator for change.
Our relational approach to coaching provides a professional, safe environment enabling you to think in new ways. Providing accountability and encouragement, support to explore issues, and improve your performance.
Finding the right approach to meet the needs of individuals and teams ensures that progress blocking assumptions and behaviour patterns are uncovered. Coaching offers a holistic understanding of situations and systems, enabling you to create the most valuable behavioural changes for yourself and benefit those you serve.
Who leads the session?
No-one. We create the session together. Our coaching is a collaborative, exploratory approach to thinking. Through generative listening, occasional questioning with the sharing of observations, we invite you to explore ideas and reframe challenges. Recognising that you are the expert and author of your own life. We walk ‘shoulder to shoulder’, in partnership.
How long is a session?
Our first ‘getting to know each other session’ is usually an hour and a half. Once clients are fully engaged with the work they may find half an hour gives plenty of thinking time, others may even book a whole day when a big issue needs addressing. An hour to an hour and a half is preferred by most people.
How long does it take to ‘make the difference’?
Generally, we work with clients over a period of six months to a year, sometimes longer.
Coaching is an investment in real change. Behavioural change takes time. Building trust, exploring what is happening for everyone involved, finding ways to balance emotions, focusing attention on forward-thinking actions and creating new ways of being. Coaching helps you develop self-awareness, a solid sense of inner identity and intentionally adopt behaviours that promote growth.
Some clients ask for a single session to help them unlock a specific, knotty problem.
What is team coaching and what does it entail?
Team coaching is a long term structured, collaborative process, between the coach, team leader and the team, within the wider system context. It provides a conceptual framework to work through as we explore possible routes to improve performance.
We co-create the development process, deciding together what activities will be involved and with whom, for example: 1:1 interviews, workshops, attendance at team meetings, questionnaires, coaching alongside major engagements.
Our coaching enables the voices of everyone involved to be heard, creating space for effective conversations and improving outcomes. Accountability and responsibility are shared as we focus on leveraging the diversity in your team; building a community of learning that is adaptive, responsive and connected. Coaching cultivates positive, forward-looking, workplace cultures where everyone shares a common purpose.
Our team coaching supports you to navigate the complexities of relationships, have the difficult conversations you are avoiding, find ways to build mutual trust and release the potential of every team member.
Team coaching is about working together creating healthy connections at every level.