Level 3 Forest School Leadership Training

Level THREE Certificate in Forest School Programme Leadership (10 day course + 2 day Outdoor First Aid course)

This is a comprehensive course for those wanting to deliver their own forest school sessions. Our Level 3 courses now include the compulsory two days of Outdoor First Aid training at Scotswood Garden, as part of the course (rather than learners having to find and pay for a separate first aid course themselves elsewhere).

*PLEASE NOTE: It's really important that you read the Course Duration and Assessments for the Level 3 course section further down the page, so that you know the amount of work involved in the course. If you are booking the course for a colleague, please ensure you have shared this information with them. Thank you.

More details about the Level 3 course

The Level Three course represents the industry standard for those that wish to lead their own forest school sessions. We have developed this course together with Kindling Play and Training. 

Harriet of Scotswood Garden and Lily of Kindling Play and Training (member of the FSA board of directors) have used their many years of experience in delivering Forest School and Forest School training programmes, to develop a new format for the ITC First Level 3 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 both inside and outside, through a mixture of games, practical activities, reflection and creative presentations. The course is delivered by Harriet and Kay Stott, who is an experienced teacher, forest school leader and community musician.

Participants are assessed in their learning through the submission of 20 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 six 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. Participants must be 19 year old or over. Please contact us for more details on this. 

Feedback from previous Level 3 participants:

"Quite honestly I felt in very safe and professional hands. Even before it started I felt that needs were met. The content was completely inspirational and delivered with such passion and confidence it would have been hard not to be immersed in learning at all times. The complete diversity of teaching styles was really engaging and really taught me a lot". 

"Wonderful setting and welcoming place."

"What an experience! Forest School has been a really incredible learning experience that has changed a part of me. I've found peace in the forest and learnt a lot along the way."

“Harriet and Kay are amazing! Inspirational, motivational, professional, approachable and wonderful people who have converted me to the forest school life!"

"Unbelievable training course, you would be hard pressed to find a more inspirational, engaging and playful training course for all leaders".

"I have accumulated a wealth of skills, knowledge and understanding, and am far from the practitioner I was at the start".

Forest School Level 3 - Additional notes on 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

-       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

-       How to safely teach these practical skills to a group

-       How to maintain safety and wellbeing, and understand the relationship between risk and developmental benefit

-       How to effectively communicate the ethos and benefits of Forest School

Course Duration and Assessments for the Level 3 course - PLEASE READ

The total qualification time for this course is 180 hours. This includes:

• 10 taught days (5 x 2 day blocks) of teaching spread over 9 months
• 2 days of Outdoor First Aid training (see below for more detail.
• 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. We estimate these will take approximately 60 hours to complete outside of the face to face training.
• You will plan, deliver and evaluate 6 sessions with a group of learners in your setting.
• Ongoing support and advice available by telephone or email throughout the course.
• During the last 4 days of training, learners will demonstrate their practical skills and work together to deliver a session that demonstrates the ethos of forest school.

Participants are assessed in their learning through the submission of 20 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.

During and after the first four days of training, participants will start work on the first ten assessment tasks. These include: 

• Four written tasks on forest school practice and research; and woodland management.
• Observing a forest school session delivered by a level 3 trained practitioner.
• Creating a Forest School handbook - this will encompass all the legal and logistical aspects of running the Forest School. Participants will need to review policies and write risk assessments that cover the activities they will be undertaking as well as develop safety procedures and create documents for looking after the woodlands.
• Planning and delivering six Forest School Sessions - these should be half day sessions with the same group, which run every week or fortnight. To fit with the Forest School ethos, ideally this should be a small group of 15 children or less. 
• Completing 30 skills cards to capture learning on practical skills.
• Completing a reflective diary.

After days 5 and 6, there will be another 1000 word essay to complete.

After the final four days, there will be three more short essays and some other written  tasks which we will complete on the course. 

If participants find the assessment tasks do not fit their preferred learning style, they can provide evidence in many other ways. The tutors will be happy to offer suggestions of methods that will meet various learning styles. 

We estimate that the assessment tasks will take approximately 60 hours (this is in addition to the 10 days training and the two days of first aid training). 

To book a place on the course please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

First Aid Training for Level 3 learners

We now offer the obligatory two-day Outdoor First Aid course as part of the course dates. You have to do this course in order to complete the Level 3 qualification. 

This course takes place at Scotswood Garden and is run by Susan Byrne from Where We Tread. Not only is Susan a first aid trainer, but also a fully qualified and experienced Forest School leader who has worked with us over many years. The cost of the training is £140.

Nearer the time, and for an additional £20, you can also opt to include Paediatric First Aid in this training. This is arranged directly with Susan.