Forest School
The training takes a holistic approach, building a firm foundation of the theory and benefit risk assessment process before applying it to practical skills learning. Exploration and experimentation are encouraged towards the end of the course allowing trainees to experience the learner-centered approach.
There are 9 face-to-face training days 9am-5pm which are the building blocks of the qualification. To support this, there is further guided learning through a bank of resources specific to each assessment criteria. There is an expectation for trainees to carry out further reading and research to complete their portfolio of evidence.
Including the 9 woodland based training days, hour online tutorial, portfolio completion and observational assessment visit, trainees on average take around 180 hours to complete the qualification.
Successfully embedding forest school into your setting
All forest schools must be led by a qualified Level 3 Leader, who holds an enhanced DBS and a two day outdoor paediatric first aid qualification. To support social and emotional develop with tools and firecraft, forest school demands high ratio of adults to children. Our best practice is 1:6 as we work in open woodlands.
Children need to be adequately clothed so they stay warm and dry and are able to enjoy being at forest school. They will also need somewhere to get changed, store and dry outdoor clothes.Now is the time to get the cleaning team on board!
You will need some basic equipment including hand tools, fire kit, rope and tarpaulins. And a natural site to operate from. Established trees and a wooded area are optimum – the sooner an area is dedicated for forest school, the quicker nature can take over and work its magic. Organisations such as Woodland Trust and Natural England can help with accessing woods for free on farmland.
Beyond the training and choosing the right training
Networking to share skills and support is key beyond the training. We offer biannual skills shares and workshops with guest leaders. We work closely with the national Forest School Association and encourage best practice, collaboration and quality forest school for all.
Please get touch to discuss any additional or special learning needs so the tutor can support you effectively through your forest school qualification.
Training Dates
, , 17th, , 16th, , 25t25th21st21st2, , 25th
Forest School
Level 1 Introduction to Forest School Principles and Ethos £250 – 2 days
8th, 21st March 2025
10th, 11th Oct 2025
Level 2 Forest School Assistant £450 -4 days
8th, 21st, 22nd March, 4th April 2025
10th, 11th, 17th Oct, 14th Nov 2025
Level 3 Forest School Leader £900 – 9 days
8th, 21st, 22nd March, 4th, 5th, 25th, 26th April, 9th, 10th May 2025
10th, 11th, 17th Oct, 14th, 15th Nov, 12th, 13th Dec 2025, 16th, 17th Jan, 6th, 7th Feb 2026
Click to book on to any course
Our Ofqual Regulated Courses
Level 1 Award in Forest school Ethos and Principles
Level 2 Award in Forest school assistants
Level 3 Certificate for Forest school leaders
Our Forest School course is run by a Endorsed Forest School Association trainer and are regulated by Ofqual. Training days take place at our base in Cerne Abbas. This is an ideal location to practice how to use fire and tools safely and to discover how to care for the woodland environment.
What others say about our courses:
I have thoroughly enjoyed the course, and learnt so much.
I thoroughly enjoyed this course – I loved the use of tools and it’s really developed my confidence. I particularly liked your anecodotes and the folklore that you brought into the course.
It has been a great experience and I am so glad I did it with Dorset Forest School. The children are thriving and growing all the time.
Get in touch:
Our key aim here at Dorset Forest School is for all children in Dorset to access Forest School, which is why we are passionate about training others. There are a number of options for how we can take you through training, it’s best to start with a natter to find the best route for you.
You first need to decide which training is most appropriate for you: Please contact Maddy on maddy@dorsetforestschool.org to explore your options.
