This form explains the commitment required from both the trainee and the setting/ manager.
Level 3 Forest School Leader training equates to 100 hours of face-to-face taught time and requires, on average, a further 96 hours of self-study time, including the facilitation of an ‘Introduction to Forest School Programme’ ( a minimum of six consecutive sessions) according to the Forest School ethos and principles. It takes a year to complete.
L2 Forest School Assistant training: equates to 48 hours of taught time and requires a further 22 hours of self-study time.
L3 Forest Kindergarten: Local Nature Play training equates to 40 hours of taught time and a further 20 hours of self-study time ( Nature NOW colleagues will be covering some of these 20 hours with their mentor)
Attendance at ALL the elements of the course as detailed previously is required for certification.
Accredited Forest School Training
Forest School Leader Level 3 training:
The school/setting will:
- have Forest School as part of the development plan
- ensure there is a site where the trainee can run the Forest School programme and will have/has the necessary insurance cover, landowners agreement and tree safety inspections for the use of the chosen site - this will be provided to the trainee as evidence for their handbook
- provide at least one other regular member of staff as a Forest School assistant
- support the trainee to recruit additional adult volunteers - in line with the FS principle of high adult: child ratio (to enable observation, empower risky challenging play, encourage groups to manage their own risk and meet the requirements of the emergency action plan)
- ensure the trainee and all regularly supporting adults have relevant safeguarding training and DBS clearance - evidence to be supplied in the handbook
- ensure the trainee has attended relevant 16-hour Outdoor First Aid training and achieved the certificate prior to running their Forest School sessions
- enable the trainee to facilitate at least 6 consecutive half-day sessions with the same group (min 8 max 15 young people) as the ‘Introduction to Forest School Programme’ in line with the Forest School ethos and principles
Forest School Assistant Level 2 training:
The school/setting will:
- ensure there is a qualified Level 3 Forest School Leader running the Forest School programme in line with the ethos and principles
- ensure the trainee is involved in the delivery, observation, planning, and evaluation of three consecutive Forest School sessions with the same client group
NB The Level 2 qualification does not enable a practitioner to safely set up, risk assess or manage a Forest School site nor does it enable them to risk assess or teach the practical skills to a client group.
Forest Kindergarten Level 3 training:
The school/setting will:
- have Forest Kindergarten: Local Nature Play as part of the development plan
- undertake to support their practitioners to lead local nature play sessions, in line with the guiding Forest Kindergarten ethos and principles
I have read and agree to support the Learner in developing their practice and achieving the qualification.
I confirm that, barring exceptional circumstances, I fully support the member(s) of staff studying for the qualification.
I have read and agree with the Terms and Conditions
