Discover skills, approaches and knowledge that underpin play based learning in a woodland setting.

Dates and Timings

Online Moodle (Hubken) Platform Introduction Session: Tuesday, 27th October 2026, 7-8pm

Module 1: 9th-13th November 2026, 9.30am-4.30pm

Module 2: 23rd-25th February 2027, 9.30am - 4.30pm

Location: Gillham Wood Nature Reserve, Hawkhurst Way, Bexhill, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN39 3BA

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Parking / Public transport: Use Traveline to plan your journey

Meeting Point: At the entrance at the bus stop, Google Map link

Google link: Gillham Woods Nature Reserve, Sussex Wildlife Trust - Google Maps

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.

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Description supplied by the event organiser.