The ITC Level 3 Award in Forest School Programme Support (QCF) provides learners with the skills required to run and manage a forest school setting when conducting Forest School outdoor programmes and activities. It is designed to meet the needs of teachers, youth workers, students, childminders and others in providing everything required to set up a Forest School. As well as the practical training, you will be required to complete a portfolio of coursework which you will have up to a year to complete.
Our staff are friendly and experienced forest school leaders and are always on hand to help. We provide coursework support days and email/telephone support as and when you should need it to help you complete your coursework.
| Dates: |
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| August 2024: 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th & 16th (Monday – Friday) |
| September 2024: 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th September & 7th October (5 Mondays) |
| October 2024: 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st, 1st November (Monday – Friday) |
| February 2025: 17th/18th/19th/20th/21st (Monday – Friday) |
| March 2025: 3rd/10th/17th/24th/31st (5 consecutive Mondays) |
| April 2025: 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th & 11th (Monday – Friday) |
| April 2025: 23rd, 30th & May 7th, 14th, 21st (5 consecutive Wednesdays) |
| June 2025: 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th & July 7th (5 consecutive Mondays) |
| August 2025: 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd (Monday – Friday) |
| September 2025: 15th, 22nd, 29th & October 6th, 13th (5 consecutive Mondays) |
| October 2025: 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st (Monday – Friday) |
For all bookings: a £100 deposit will be taken at time of booking to secure your place.
We are pleased to offer a range of payment options to make the course as accessible as possible.
All payments (or first payments, if choosing a monthly instalment plan) must be received at least 7 days before the course start date.
Completion of the practical course and required coursework qualifies you to work as a ITC Level 3 Forest School Leader. The Level 3 is equivalent to an A Level. This qualification is designed for those wanting to become a Forest School Leader or set up their own Forest School. It comprises of five units that are designed to qualify a learner to become a Forest School Leader, enabling them to plan and deliver a Forest School programme.
Trainees need to have a DBS check, be aged 21 or over and have some experience working with children and young people.
There is no expectation that you hold a level 1 or 2 in order to access this course.
Trainees will also need to support a minimum six Forest School sessions in order to complete their Forest School Leader coursework.
Forest School First Aid and Paediatric First aid is compulsory even if you hold a First Aid qualification.
Forest School First Aid training covers practical skills needed by those who work with children, providing the confidence and knowledge to deal with comprehensive life-saving first aid emergencies in the outdoor environment, including first aid for adult helpers. The complementary Paediatric first aid qualification satisfies Early Years Foundation Stage practice guidance and statutory guidelines.
Both First Aid qualifications are now available with The Outdoors Group at an additional cost, however you can complete with an alternative provider should you wish to.
Learn more about Forest School First Aid and Paediatric First aid
Where do I do my six practical sessions?
If you have your own setting (for example if you work in a school or nursery), you can do your six sessions there but if you don’t have access to a Forest School site and/or children, you can apply to volunteer at one of our sessions for a half term block in order to fulfil this part of your coursework.
Do I need to do First Aid?
The Forest School and Paediatric First Aid course is compulsory and is a separate qualification, even if you already have a first aid qualification. Most insurers require Forest School Leaders to have a Paediatric and Forest School First Aid qualification in order to deliver sessions.
Shall I do Level 2 or Level 3?
This is entirely up to you but Level 2 only qualifies you to assist at Forest School sessions whereas Level 3 qualifies you to plan and deliver your own sessions.
Is there accommodation near the training venue?
Exmouth Forest School is conveniently located between Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton so there are plenty of campsites, air bnbs and hotels nearby if you don’t live locally.
How long do I have to complete the course and what does the coursework involve?
You have a year to complete your written portfolio which contains a mix of different work from risk assessments and woodland management work to questions on child learning and development theory as well as evidencing your practical skills.
Do you offer any post-practical course support?
We run free termly written and practical coursework support days for trainees to attend to get some extra support with their portfolio.
What is the difference between Forest School Leader Level 2 and 3?
Level 2
Level 3
“That’s amazing thank you! I’d like to give a massive thank you to you and the team for being so awesome and making the training so much fun. I’ve never been happier than I am now in my new career!”
Emma Fielding, March 2022
“Thank you so much. I have really enjoyed my time with The Outdoors Group very much. The new skills and confidence I have acquired have given me a new zest for learning so much more. I am seriously looking forward to sharing and growing in knowledge alongside the children I will teach. I found the teaching within The Outdoors Group empowering and creative, I now have a job that I am truly excited about and I have to pinch myself as it doesn’t feel real.”
Tracie Carpenter, 2019
“I would like to acknowledge just how wonderful I thought the course was that I went on. Annie and Neil were two of the warmest, friendliest and professional trainers I’ve had the pleasure to meet. From day one they made us feel very welcome and put us at ease. They were always happy to explain anything that you might be having trouble with. Even if the questions were repetitive. Always with a smile was their approach which was reassuring for everyone. They have a rare quality of establishing a great connection with all participants from the get go. I look forward to completing the coursework and putting into action the skills we have learnt from them both. It was a fantastic experience that I feel I have had the privilege to be part of. The woods there is a special place and you leave with special memories that will last a lifetime.”
Craig Plowman, 2019
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