About this Event
Dates and Timings
Online Moodle Platform Introduction Session: Tuesday, 3rd March 2026, 7-8pm
Module 1: 16th-20th March 2026, 9.30am-4.30pm
Module 2: 16th-18th June 2026, 9.30am - 4.30pm
Location: The Deneway, Brighton, BN1 5ES
what3words: defeat.budget.model
Parking / Public transport: Use Traveline to plan your journey
Meeting Point: The Deneway, off Eldred Avenue, Brighton
Google link: https://goo.gl/maps/3afUhZQdBSNafagV6
Toilets: We will provide a toilet tent and handwashing facilities.
Who is this course for?
This training course is the nationally recognised standard of training for individuals wishing to develop, lead and manage Forest School programmes.
Entry Criteria
- Participants should be over 21 and should hold a qualification at Level 2 or above in teaching, pre-school education, youth work or have significant experience of working with young people in the outdoors.
- All participants must hold a First Aid certificate by the end of the course. This can be the 16-hour outdoor first aid certificate or the 3-day First Aid at Work certificate.
- As part of your training and in order to complete your portfolio you will need to have a suitable site and a client group to deliver your, ‘Introduction to Forest School’ programme. This will consist of a minimum 6 two-hour sessions with the same client group. It is not vital to have this in place before the course, however it will help provide a context for your training if you are able to picture your site and have some knowledge of your client group(s).
- You will need to attend for the FULL duration of the course to achieve the regulated qualification. This is due to mandated contact training time requirements stipulated by the awarding body and SWT are unable to negotiate this stipulation.
Course Content
The Level 3 course will prepare you to plan, deliver and monitor all aspects of a Forest School programme.
We will discuss up to date theories on the Forest School approach to learning, the holistic development of Forest School learners and a positive attitude to risk taking. The practical outdoor learning will include tool use and the safe lighting, management and use of a camp fire in a Forest School setting, safe use of a range of hand tools and a variety of outdoor games and activities. Also covered will be the identification of woodland flora and fauna, and the sustainable use of a woodland within the context of Forest School. The course will be run on Forest School principles, so you will see the Forest School ethos in action.
Will this course lead to a nationally recognised qualification?
Yes, on successful completion of the course you will gain the nationally recognised qualification Level 3 Certificate in Forest School Programme Leadership (QCF), which was developed in collaboration with the Forest School Association (FSA) accredited by the AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group.
We will provide:
- All required portfolio paperwork
- All tools and equipment for the outdoor tasks
Course Layout
Module 1 - Five consecutive days of training in theory and practice which will cover
- Learning and development at forest school
- Forest school practical skills
- Setting up, delivering and evaluating of a forest school programme
Module 2 - Three consecutive days to further develop and assess practical skills and to discuss progress
- Forest School practical skills
- Woodland management at Forest School
The course will take place outside in a woodland setting.
A supportive observation at one of six Forest School sessions to be planned and delivered by you at your setting.
A coursework portfolio should be completed within 12 months of the course start date (Please refer to booking Terms & Conditions). We expect the completed coursework as a digital copy on the learning platform, Moodle. Log in details will be forwarded to your registered email address following enrolment.
Additional Benefits
Five optional mentoring days to assist you with the completion of your portfolio and to help with the development of your forest school.
Special Instructions:
Please ensure that you arrive ten minutes before the start time, on the first day, for registration.
Kit List
The training is primarily based outdoors and as such there are certain things you need to bring. The kit list below is obviously weather dependant.
- Please bring a form of photographic identification with you to register such as a driving licence, passport or other reputable form of photographic ID
- Work/Gardening (also known as Rigger) gloves
- Lunch, snacks and plenty of water. Hot water will be available, please bring your own tea/coffee/milk/flask etc.
- Notebook, pen and camera
- This is a practical and active outdoor course so please wear plenty of warm clothes, hat and gloves, thermals. It is often cooler in the woods.
- Full waterproofs including trousers.
- Please make sure you have closed toe, sturdy shoes or wellington boots suitable for a woodland setting.
- Always wear long trousers, even if the forecast is a hot day. This is for safe tool use and tick prevention.
- Consider sun cream and insect repellent (if susceptible)
- A bag to carry your kit
Hygiene
· Please DO NOT attend the course if you are unwell (high temperature, continuous cough, diarrhoea and/or vomiting within last 48 hours) and notify your trainer via TEXT directly.
Severe Weather
We aim to go ahead in most weather conditions; however, activities will not go ahead in severe weather such as high winds, extreme cold and/or persistent heavy rain, and where indoor alternatives cannot be arranged. You will receive an email and/or a phone call the day before the event to be informed of cancellation. If you are not contacted, the event will be going ahead as planned.
This information should answer most questions you have about the training, however if you do have any further queries please don’t hesitate to contact:
[email protected] Tel: 01273 497561
Please read, understand and agree to our Booking Terms and Conditions before making a booking.
Forest School Training | Sussex Wildlife Trust
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation more than 90 days before the course start date = 10% of total booking cost
Cancellation between 31-90 days before the course start date = 50% of total booking cost
Cancellation less than 30 days before the course start date = 100% of total booking cost
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
175 The Deneway, 175 The Deneway, Brighton and Hove, United Kingdom
GBP 1100.00 to GBP 1205.00
