Forest School/Outdoor Practitioner  Level 3 

This course is aimed at those who have experience of Forest School and outdoor learning and wish to develop their knowledge and practice to enable them to manage and lead Forest School sessions with children, young people and adults. The course covers:

•  The pedagogy, theory and practice of promoting and supporting children’s all round development in the outdoors.

• Providing a secure yet challenging environment so that children can take risks and challenges.

• Risk assessment and Health and Safety regulations.

• The role of the adult in supporting children’s learning and development outdoors.

• Leading outdoor learning – what visions and values should a leader have?

• Development planning and how planning can bring about improvement.

• Assessment and evaluation, including observation to improve practice.

• Developing a Health and Safety kit.

• Developing a handbook and policies for Forest School.

• An understanding of providing differentiation for children with particular needs.

• Recognising and countering ways in which gender and other forms of stereotyping can affect children’s participation in activities outdoors.

• Demonstrating a knowledge and understanding of how the outdoor environment encourages independence, self reliance and self esteem and promotes healthy, balanced social and emotional growth.

The course is both theory and practice based and a number of outdoor activities are included.

Course duration:

 Initial 4 consecutive days of training, followed by supported self study and tasks to be carried out over a period of approximately 6 months. At the end of that time there will be one assessment day when all candidates will present their work.

Requirements:

Before running actual Forest School sessions in their own setting they are required to hold a First Aid for Forest School qualification and a clean CRB reference.

Course costs:

£750 per person inclusive of training, assessment and accredited certification.

Assessment day: To be arranged with tutor.