Forest School Leader Award (Level 3)

The Forest School Leader Award is a Level 3 qualification (A Level standard). Verified by Liminalis Ltd., and accredited by ITC First, the training provides the practitioner with the skills and knowledge to risk assess, set up and manage a Forest School site. It equips them to plan and safely facilitate challenging, learner led, Forest School programmes with a range of client groups in line with the Forest School ethos and principles. The training covers 5 units of study worth 18 credits at Level 3, requiring the completion of a portfolio of evidence and a group and site-specific handbook.

Entry criteria

To do the course you must:

✓ Be aged 21 years or over (by the end of the course);
✓ Be a qualified teacher, play-worker, youth-worker or support worker (to Level 3 equivalent) OR an appropriate Level 2 with at least 2 years’ experience of working with your chosen client group in a leadership capacity;
✓ Hold a current DBS certificate;
✓ Have access to a group with whom you will run a 6-week ‘Introduction to Forest School’ Programme.

This Level 3 Forest School Leader training course will give participants the skills, knowledge and confidence to set up and run Forest School sessions in their school, setting or independently. The Level 3 qualification gained is equivalent to an A-Level, is verified by Liminalis Ltd. and accredited by ITC First.

About the Trainers

Sarah Allington

Sarah is an experienced Level 3 Forest School practitioner working with children and young people from toddlers to teenagers including those with a range of additional needs. Sarah holds the FSA’s recognised provider status for her Forest School sessions which is a benchmark for quality Forest School provision. She is a founding member of a small charity which promotes access to quality Forest School for children and families. 

Charlotte Atkinson

Charlotte from Charlotte’s Forest School is an experienced headteacher and a practising Forest School Leader with extensive experience of leading Forest School sessions with children aged 2-11 years. Charlotte has a background in ecology and has been training Forest School Leaders for over 10 years. Her training has been endorsed by the Forest School Association (FSA) and she mentors and assesses other trainers. In addition to her Forest School expertise Charlotte is a qualified Forest Bathing guide, offers nature-based coaching and is a Nordic Walking instructor, which are testament to her love of the outdoors!

Together Sarah and Charlotte run courses in Ashdon, Essex and Wilby, Suffolk to express your interest in the next course we run which will be in March 2025 please contact sarah@natureoflearning.co.uk