Forest School Training Courses in Wiltshire, UK
Forest School Training refers to the process of becoming a certified Forest School Leader or practitioner, equipping individuals with the skills, knowledge, and qualifications to facilitate Forest School sessions. The training emphasizes understanding child development, outdoor education principles, and practical skills like tool use, fire management, and risk assessment.
Here’s an overview of the Forest School Training process, including the levels, course content, and requirements.
Levels of Forest School Training:
Level 1: Introduction to Forest School Principles
This introductory course provides a basic understanding of the principles and philosophy behind Forest School.
It’s ideal for those who want to gain a broad overview but do not intend to lead sessions.
Content includes:
Basic outdoor education concepts.
The benefits of outdoor play and learning.
Observing a Forest School session.
Level 2: Forest School Assistant
Designed for individuals who want to support a qualified Forest School Leader in delivering sessions but not lead them independently.
Content includes:
Assisting in planning and running sessions.
Understanding the ethos of Forest School.
Practical outdoor skills, including tool use and safety.
Duration: Typically 3-6 months, combining theory and practical training.
Level 3: Forest School Leader
This is the most comprehensive training level, allowing participants to become certified Forest School Leaders and run their own sessions.
Suitable for teachers, early childhood educators, outdoor education professionals, and those passionate about nature-based learning.
Content includes:
Planning and leading Forest School programs over an extended period.
Child development theory, especially in outdoor settings.
Practical skills like building shelters, using tools (saws, knives), fire safety, and cooking outdoors.
Risk assessment and health and safety procedures.
Managing group dynamics and behavior in outdoor environments.
Evaluating the impact of Forest School on children’s development.
Duration: Usually 9-12 months, combining classroom-based theory with hands-on outdoor practice. Participants must also complete a portfolio of work, including evidence of running Forest School sessions.
Course Content Overview:
Forest School training covers a broad range of topics to prepare individuals to lead safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate outdoor sessions. Here’s what you can typically expect to learn:
1. Forest School Philosophy and Principles:
The history and philosophy of Forest School, including its origins in Scandinavian outdoor education.
The value of child-led learning and the importance of fostering a connection with nature.
How outdoor play contributes to holistic child development.
2. Practical Skills:
Tool use: Safe handling of tools like knives, saws, and hammers. Learning to teach children to use tools responsibly.
Fire building and management: Building and maintaining a safe fire for warmth and cooking. Teaching children fire safety and responsibility.
Shelter-building: Techniques for creating natural shelters using materials like wood, leaves, and tarps.
Foraging and outdoor cooking: Identifying safe plants for foraging and preparing simple meals outdoors.
3. Child Development:
Understanding how outdoor learning environments support cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
Strategies to support children of all abilities and needs, including those with SEN.
Observing and documenting children’s progress in a Forest School setting.
4. Risk Assessment and Management:
Conducting thorough risk assessments for outdoor activities.
Balancing the need for children to experience risk with ensuring safety.
Health and safety protocols specific to outdoor learning environments (e.g., tool safety, fire management, first aid).
5. Program Planning and Delivery:
Designing Forest School sessions that align with child development stages and learning outcomes.
Adapting activities to the changing seasons and environmental conditions.
Creating a long-term Forest School program that builds on previous learning experiences.
6. Group Management and Facilitation:
Managing groups of children in an outdoor setting, including strategies for behavior management.
Encouraging teamwork, social skills, and cooperation among children.
Building relationships with children, parents, and schools to ensure a supportive learning environment.
Requirements for Becoming a Forest School Leader:
To enroll in Forest School Leader (Level 3) training, most programs have the following prerequisites:
Experience working with children: You must have prior experience in an educational, childcare, or youth work setting.
First Aid Certification: A relevant first aid qualification, such as Outdoor First Aid, is often required to ensure the safety of participants during outdoor sessions.
Criminal Background Check: As with any role involving children, a background check (such as a DBS check in the UK) is necessary to ensure child safeguarding.
Portfolio of Work: Most Level 3 courses require you to submit a portfolio demonstrating your understanding of the principles and practical application of Forest School.
Benefits of Forest School Training:
Professional Development: Becoming a certified Forest School Leader enhances your qualifications and opens up opportunities to run outdoor education programs, whether in schools, early years settings, or private programs.
Empowering Educators: Forest School training equips educators with tools to support child-led learning and holistic development. It’s particularly useful for those working with children who thrive in non-traditional learning environments.
Promoting Sustainability: Forest School Leaders play a key role in fostering a love for nature and environmental stewardship, helping future generations to understand and protect the natural world.
Supporting Well-Being: The training emphasizes how time spent in nature improves mental health and well-being for both educators and students, which is increasingly important in today's world.
Conclusion
Forest School training is a valuable path for educators and nature enthusiasts looking to lead transformative outdoor learning experiences. By embracing child-led, hands-on activities in natural environments, Forest School practitioners help foster children's connection to nature, build their confidence, and support their overall development. With a range of training levels and content that covers both practical and theoretical knowledge, Forest School training offers a comprehensive toolkit for anyone interested in promoting nature-based education.
