The latest Forest School Training Courses are on the Training Course Dates page
Do you want to part of something transformational?
Do you want to discover new ways to learn and play deep in a beautiful woodland environment?
Our training is Forest School Association Registered. That means we have demonstrated that out training meets a variety of standards associated with providing high quality training experiences.
Level 1 Forest School – click for more information
Download Forest School Booking Form level 1
Level 3 Forest School – click for more information
Download Forest School Booking Form Level 3
Challenging Behaviour – click for more information
Download booking form for challenging behaviour course
If you want to hear from us when more courses are arranged then join our mailing list.
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WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WITH CHALLENGING BEHAVIOUR IN THE OUTDOORS
This is a 3 day OCNWMR accredited course worth 3 credits.
We will delve into: what challenges us as leaders in the outdoors; theory on challenging behaviour, up-to-date neural research; triggers and causes for challenging behaviour, ways of dealing with ‘real life’ scenarios; de-escalation and formulating/reviewing your own policies, including looking at the validity of sanctions and rewards.
As this is an OCN level 3 course worth 3 credits it will require participants to reflect on their own practice and write up a workbook after the course which we estimate would take approx 8 hours work. It is suitable for people who have trained as Forest School practitioners or who work in the outdoors.
“this course has really helped me re-appraise the way I work with some of our students and has actually given me new strategies for working with challenges that have worked!” ~ participant from February 2011 course
*This venue has basic accommodation on site which costs approx £16 per night. Details of how to book accommodation will be sent with confirmation of course booking.
Kindling delivers accredited Forest Schools Practitioner Training at NOCN (One Awards) Level 1 through to Level 3. These training courses can be delivered in house for up to 16 participants.
Lily Horseman holds a Level 4 Forest School Trainers award, she has been delivering Forest School training since 2009. She delivers training and facilitates Forest School sessions with children.
For more information or to ask questions call Lily on 07789 723 061.
NOCN Level 3 Certificate in Forest School Programme Leadership
QCF units through NOCN – One Awards
Lily of Kindling and Harriet of SNCG have used their many years of experience in delivering Forest School and Forest School training programmes to develop a new format for the NOCN Level 3 (QCF) course that excites and inspires participants, whilst providing all the theory, skills and knowledge necessary to set up and lead a Forest School programme. The course guides learners through an enjoyable, supportive learning process with clear, easy to understand teaching materials. The course is taught inside and outside, through a mixture of games, practical activities, reflection and creative presentations.
From early 2018 the QCF course will be replaced with the RCF Forest School level 3. For the past year trainer Lily Horseman has been involved in every step of the consultation on the new units. She was part of the core working group (Clair Hobson, Sarah Lawful, Lily Horseman, Jon Cree, Linda McDonnell) for the review of this national Forest School Suite of qualifications. These have been approved by the Forest School Association (and have just gone live). Lily therefore has full detailed knowledge of the learning outcomes, assessment criteria and indicative content.
Learners are assessed in their learning through the submission of 20 bite sized assessment tasks, completed throughout the course. Some tasks will be completed during the training and some will be written up in between the taught sessions. Participants on the course will need to plan and deliver 6 Forest School sessions with the same group of children.
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.
Download the Forest School Practitioner Training Level 3 Flyer
“I absolutely loved this training – the visual delivery of theorists in particular has kept me engaged and how Lily always managed to answer all our questions at some stage and meet our requirements”
“Genuinely, everything that’s been delivered will have an impact on my work”
“Fabulous delivery/support/size of group ideal”
“As I find sometimes I lack confidence and struggle in a group this was the perfect course for me to build my confidence and enable me to feel included”
“An absolutely amazing journey that has opened my eyes, mind and soul to the benefits of Forest School”
“The trainers had a fantastic ability to put people at ease and support them on this incredible journey”
“The approach was very in keeping with the course and the content”
“Lily and Harriet were both inspiring!”
“Taught in a clear, supportive manner. Harriet and Lily always offering to aid and support each individual”
“Have absolutely 100% loved every second. So excited to get going with Forest School!
Course content
The course will support you to understand everything you need to know to design and run a Forest School programme safely and effectively including:
- Understanding how children learn and develop
- The impact of Forest School
- Learning about woodland plants and animals and how to care for woodlands
- Practical skills including fire lighting, cooking, using tools, tying knots and building shelters, and how to safely teach these to a group
- How to maintain safety and wellbeing, and understand the relationship between risk and developmental benefit
- Helping children and young people connect with natural environments
- How to effectively communicate the ethos and benefits of Forest School
Course Duration
- 10 taught days (5 x 2 day blocks or 2 x 5 day blocks) of teaching spread over 9 months
- Written work: learners complete and submit 20 written tasks throughout the course. The last of these tasks are submitted 3 months after the last day of training.
- Support and advice available by telephone or email throughout the course.
- Before the last day of training, learners need to complete a separate 2 day ITC first aid course (not included in price).
- During the last 4 days of training, learners will demonstrate their practical skills and work together to plan and deliver a session that explores the ethos of forest school.
Level 1 Forest Schools Practitioners Award
QCF units through OCN – OpenAwards
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 Practitioner 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.
