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More information about the Forest School Level 3 course

The Forest School Practitioner Award is a Level 3 qualification (A Level standard). Verified by the Bishops Wood Centre in Worcestershire, and accredited by the Open College Network West Midlands (OCNWM), the training is aimed at professionals already working with children/ young people who wish to qualify to lead Forest School Programmes. It will enable you to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to work with children in the outdoor learning environment.

Course Content

The Forest School Practitioners Award consists of 18 OCNWM credits contained in five units of study:

1. Learning and Development at a Forest School Programme – Looking at theories of learning and how to support holistic development. Discussing the importance of play and how to raise self-esteem in learners.
2. Practical Skills for a Forest School Programme – This unit covers aspects of how to use the outdoor environment for learning and how to teach a range of practical woodland skills to others.
3. Forest School Programmes and the Woodland Environment – Understanding the structure, diversity and management of a wooded area.
4. Planning a Forest School Programme – Covering elements of the preparation needed to establish your own Forest School, including policies and procedures, risk and communication.
5. Delivery of a Forest School Programme – Aimed at delivering and evaluating Forest School sessions.

Course Commitment requirements

Part of the course involves identifying a suitable site, establishing and running 6 Forest School sessions. This includes creating a specific Forest School handbook for your site. In addition to the taught element (approx. 80 hours – see above), the course involves approximately 110 hours of self-directed learning. This includes research, practical assignments and a completion of course portfolio including written assignments, photographs and other evidence of your learning. The course takes approximately 10 months to complete and the completion date, including hand-in of all coursework will be 5th January, 2019.

During the initial 5 days, block of 3 and block of 2 days, a variety of teaching methods are used including:

• Presentation with follow up discussion for many of the theoretical aspects of the course
• Instruction/ demonstration with opportunities to practice for many of the practical/ skills based elements of the course.

Resources and equipment provided

During the initial 5 days and practical skills assessment we provide all the necessary tools and safety equipment for use by the learners. We ensure that they are appropriate and in good working condition. Learners need to come with a pair of safety boots, outdoor clothing (including waterproofs), pen and paper and a camera (optional but recommended). We provide a course file and reference material or sources for all the theoretical topics covered that participants can refer to for their learning and written assignments. We also provide a library for learners to access during the face to face sessions.

Assessments and Coursework Portfolio

The assessments that take place during the training:

• Interim assignments (normally two written assignments completed between the initial training days and practical skills days)
• Practical Skills Assessment
• Delivery Assessment

Learners have to complete a coursework portfolio containing evidence for the five units which includes a number of written assignments. Feedback from the interim assignments, personal tutorials during the practical skills assessment and a group tutorial at the end of the course assist learners with the writing of assignments. Further support is available via email.

Cost of course, delivery Assessments and First Aid

The 8 day course, delivered by Charlotte Atkinson, costs £895 (a £50 deposit will be required at point of booking with balance paid by 29th September). An additional requirement for the qualification is that participants are assessed for their skills in leading Forest School sessions. This assessment takes place at your Forest School site.   An additional charge of £75.00 plus 45p mile plus VAT is levied for participants working outside a 50 mile radius of the training venue

Before you can qualify as a Level 3 Forest School Leader you must also hold a relevant Outdoor/Forest School First Aid (OFA) Qualification. This is a 2-day course which equips you with skills and strategies to care for the infants, children and adults involved both in indoor and outdoor activities (a standard 1 day Paediatric First Aid or First Aid at Work certificate is not sufficient). If you do not have this qualification, there are a number of first aid providers that offer the course. Typical costs are £120 per person.