Forest School

The Level 2 qualification course is for people who want to help at Forest School, but not be the Forest School leader. It is great for committed staff, volunteers, and sometimes parents who are interested and is a good grounding in Forest School. It includes six training days and some coursework where students assist at a Forest School. You need to be over 18 to complete this qualification.

You will learn the following:

• Practical skills
• Theoretical and nature knowledge
• Complete all assessments/paperwork to gain the qualification

Who can attend:

• Teachers
• Early Years Practitioners
• Teaching and Learning Assistants
• Headteachers
• Volunteers
• Parent/carers

How long does it take - approximately six to nine months:

• Six days of training
• Assisting at a Forest School
• Personal study time

Level 2 students can top-up to Level 3 with us - you do not need Level 2 to begin Level 3.

The Level 3 qualification is the most popular course as it equips you to run Forest School. Forest School leaders take this course and learn the practical skills, theoretical and nature knowledge, and all necessary paperwork for Forest School to succeed. Students are teachers, Early Years Practitioners, Teaching and Learning Assistants, Headteachers, and sometimes Wildlife Experts or Rangers. The course takes around nine months to complete including ten days of training; a personal visit from one of the trainers and your study. You can begin your Forest School journey at this level. You must be over 21, with at least two years of experience working with children and a Level 2 certificate or above in child care or teaching.

You will learn the following:

• Practical skills
• Theoretical and nature knowledge
• Complete all assessments/paperwork to gain the qualification

Who can attend:

• Teachers
• Early Years Practitioners
• Teaching and Learning Assistants
• Headteachers

Entry criteria:

• Over 21 years of age
• Two years of experience working with children
• Hold a Level 2 certificate (or above) in childcare or teaching

How long does it take - approximately 9 months to 12 months:

• Ten days of training
• A personal visit from one of the trainers
• Personal study time

You can begin your Forest School journey at this level.

Please note, that all Level 3 practitioners need to have a full Outdoor Paediatric First Aid certificate.

You will automatically be allocated a space when you book your Level 3 training. If you do not wish to complete your outdoor first aid through Cambridgeshire County Council or the dates are not suitable, please let us know. Funding is not available for outdoor first aid training. 

An appropriate level of First Aid competence is an essential part of operating as a Forest School practitioner. The Forest School Association (FSA) recognises and supports the provision of First Aid training that is delivered at the appropriate level, by trainers with outdoor knowledge and assessed in a fair and relevant way (FSA 2016).

As part of your Level 3 Forest School Leader training, Cambridgeshire County Council delivers the 16-hour outdoor first aid to complete this requirement. You will automatically be allocated a space when you book your Level 3 training. If you do not wish to complete your outdoor first aid through Cambridgeshire County Council or the dates are not suitable, please let us know. Funding is not available for outdoor first-aid training.

Booking and reservations for Early Years Workforce Development.

Audience

This is for early years educators working with children birth to three years olds.

Aims

At present, time and access for babies and toddlers are limited, but the outdoor environment has so much it can offer to our youngest children.

This training hopes to enhance educators’ current knowledge of the benefits of the outdoors and how it can support younger children and babies.

Throughout these sessions learners will have the opportunity to explore:

• The impact of outdoor learning practices, focussing on our younger children and babies
• Practical ‘hands-on’ experiences including sensory exploration, scavenger hunts and music creation
• How outdoor learning compliments the Early Years Foundation Stage through a variety of practical experiences and discussion

Additional information

This session is practical and will be held outdoors in a woodland environment, whatever the weather, please wear suitable clothing. It is always cooler under the canopy of the trees and is often muddy, so sturdy shoes/wellington boots are recommended along with warm waterproof clothing.

Booking and reservations for Early Years Workforce Development.

Audience

The course is appropriate for adults working with children from birth to 11 years old, as the experiences can be adapted according to the ages/stages of child development.

Aims

This aimed at practitioners wanting to find out about Forest School sessions and those with an interest in expanding their knowledge of outdoor learning opportunities.

Throughout this course learners will have the opportunity to explore the following:

• Consider the ethos and the 6 principles of Forest School
• Look at the benefits of forest school for all
• In-depth risk-benefit analysis
• Practical ‘hands-on’ Forest School experiences to be able to implement this unique way of learning in your setting including toolwork, fire lighting and sensory activities
• Consider how Forest School compliments the Early Years Foundation Stage and the National Curriculum through a variety of practical experiences and discussion

Additional information

This session is practical and will be held outdoors in a woodland environment, whatever the weather, please wear suitable clothing. It is always cooler under the canopy of the trees and is often muddy, so sturdy shoes/wellington boots are recommended along with warm waterproof clothing.

Booking and reservations for Early Years Workforce Development. 

Audience

This is for Forest School Level 3 Leaders, Level 2 Forest School Assistants and current Forest School trainees.

Aims

Our development day intends to bring our Forest School Level 3 Leaders, Level 2 Assistants and current trainees together. There will be opportunities to practice and refresh our skills, share up-to-date thinking and take part in a variety of different activities.

Our Development Days will include:

• Refreshing and practising core Forest School Skills such as shelters, knots, games, cooking and tool use
• How to be inclusive to all children, encouraging Forest Schools for all
• Time to think about up-to-date practice and theory
• Explore the challenges we face during forest schools and add more ideas to our forest school toolkit

Additional information

On Monday, 16 June 2025, we will be focussing on knots, shelter and rope tying, as well as creating our musical instruments to take home. We will also be exploring the Holistic learning principles and having a refresher on the SPICES of forest school.

Booking and reservations for Early Years Workforce Development.

Booking and reservations for Early Years Workforce Development.

Booking and reservations for Early Years Workforce Development.

Funding options for our CambsEYC training days include 'Introduction to Forest School', 'Forest School and Under Three's', 'Reconnection to Nature', and 'Forest School Development Day.' The eligibility for funding is as follows:

• You must live in Cambridgeshire and aged over 19 (our funding is for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough residents only and learners who have lived in the UK for over three years)*

And you must meet one of the below requirements:

• Engaging and/or building confidence
• Preparation for further learning
• Preparation for employment
• Improving essential skills (English, ESOL, maths, digital)
• You are on a low income and earn less than £30,491 a year
• Equipping parents/carers to support children’s learning
• Health and well-being
• Developing stronger communities.

*Other eligibility may apply.