Forest School Training

Key information & questions

• What is the structure of the course in detail?
  • 5 Days Immersive Training Week
  • 2 days Practical Skills Development at our beautiful Kent riverside site
  • 2 days Ethos and Learning
  • Additionally, each Level 3 Trainee receives an individual, supportive on-site visit
  • Portfolio development: candidates have one year from their initial training week to develop their portfolio. Six Forest school sessions are required as evidence, which should be completed before the Assessment. TGC can support and advise those who do not already have access to a group of learners.
  • Trainees will also be required to organise their first aid training during this period, which is not included in the cost of the course.
  • Hand in portfolio of evidence, one year on from initial training week, or sooner.
  • Optional invitation to our Wild Camp (at an extra cost)
• What qualification will I gain and what can I do with it? 

  Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders: This qualification is intended to provide the skills and knowledge required to set up and deliver safe and effective Forest School programmes, for those who wish to become Forest School Leaders. Download the qualification specification here.

  Level 2 Award for Forest School Assistants: This qualification is intended for those who wish to become an assistant Forest School Leader or intend to become a Forest School leader in the future, developing knowledge practical skills suitable for the role.  Download the qualification specification here.

  All of our Forest School training courses are certified by ITC First, who are approved by and meet the requirements of the Forest School Association.

• Why choose TGC and who will deliver the course?

  Our Forest School trainer, Richard Skrein, is London’s only Forest School Association-Endorsed Trainer. He is also a qualified teacher, outdoor educator, storyteller and author with many years of experience working in schools and outdoor settings with young people and adults. Richard has trained hundreds of forest school leaders and it is one of his favourite things to do!

  For fifteen years TGC has designed and delivered high quality nature connection experiences for urban children and young people, seeing (and measuring) the transformation that a connection to nature can bring children and young people and adults.

• What are the entry requirements?

  There are no formal entry requirements. This qualification is for those aged 19+ with experience teaching or working with young people who wish to become Forest School Leaders.

  Those with no experience working with children or young people are encouraged to apply and will be judged on a case-by-case basis.

• What will we do on the course?

  Forest School training with TGC is as much an experience as a training course, and will immerse you in both the practical and theoretical elements of the forest school approach.

  As well as a qualification, many find it a beautiful and transformative experience. It is also a huge amount of fun!