Forest School Training

Kindling delivers accredited Forest Schools Training at OCN (Open College Network) Level 1 through to Level 3. These training courses can be delivered In- house for up to 16 participants.

Lily Horseman is an Associate Trainer with Archimedes Training. She holds a Level 4 Forest School Trainers award. She delivers training and facilitates Forest School sessions with children.

For more information or to ask questions call Lily on 07789 723 061.

Level 3 Course Dates 2011-2012

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26th-30th March 2012 (Assessment Week: 24th-28th September 2012)
Rookhow, Grizedale, Cumbria*
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12th-16th November 2012 (Assessment Week: 13th-17th May 2013)
Rookhow, Grizedale, Cumbria*
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Cost for Level 3 Forest School Training: £890 per person.

This course includes a free Forest School focused First Aid qualification which will be an additional two days of training.
First Aid course dates for 2012: 5th & 6th March 2012 Bradford, 16th & 17th April 2012 Bolton/Oldham area, 3rd & 4th May 2012 Leeds.
More dates for Autumn TBC

*This venue has basic accommodation on site which costs £16 per night. Details of how to book will be sent with confirmation of course booking.

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OCN  Forest Schools Practitioners Award – Level 3

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This course is an opportunity to explore to a higher level, different approach to using the outdoor environment in a Forest School setting and is for those who and wish to coordinate, manage and lead Forest School Sessions with children, young people or adults.

Download the Forest School Training Level 3 Flyer

You will investigate how best to design and run a Forest School programme and look at how to approach and apply it safely and effectively.

This Forest School Level 3 course is aimed at individuals who have a minimum Level 2 qualification in Youth Work, Child Care, Teaching, or relevant experience in working with children.

The course content of this qualification is based on up-to-date research surrounding aspects of

  • Child development
  • Personal development
  • Neuro-science
  • Accelerated Learning
  • Woodland conservation and recreation
  • Innovative and therapeutic theory in the outdoors
  • Risk assessments to enable safe outdoor play and education

Course Duration

  • Initial training week – consisting of 5 days of training
  • Portfolio work – candidates take away their portfolio to work on (For about 6 months)
  • First Aid – Candidates complete a 2 day ITC first aid course
  • Assessment Week – Consisting of 5 days of assessment

This training uses the same course materials and scheme of work as is used to train over 70% of Forest School leaders in the UK by Archimedes Training.


OCN Forest Schools Skills Award – Level 1

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Forest School Level 1 courses can be delivered for schools or settings with up to 16 participants. For prices and more details please contact Lily on 07789 723 061.

This course is aimed at individuals with little or no experience of working in the outdoors, and aims to build knowledge and confidence in the safe use of equipment and tools.

Download the Forest School Training Level 1 Flyer

Kindling will introduce basic woodland skills, and individuals will be required to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the flora and fauna in a woodland area. The course will allow participants to look at using the outdoor environment to facilitate different learning styles and to encourage the development of personal skills such as confidence and self-esteem.

Participants will learn how the outdoors can be used to encourage all areas of development, understand factors that affect children’s behaviour and strategies for the outdoor environment. We will also look at how the outdoor environment encourages independence, self-reliance and self-esteem and promotes healthy, balanced social and emotional growth.

Course Duration: 3 days

Portfolio Completion will take place during the course and be handed in on the last day.

This course is ideal for those people who are wanting to gain skills for working outdoors with children and young people, those who want to explore Forest Schools within their own setting or those who wish to support a trained Forest Schools practitioner.

This training is endorsed by Archimedes Training – Contact them at www.forestschools.com.