Forest School Training Level 2 to Level 3 Upgrade Scheduled for November 2025
Suffolk Wildlife Trust is offering a Level 3 Forest School Leader course, designed to develop leadership, facilitation, practical, and teaching skills. The course, operated by Forest School Association (FSA) Registered Forest School Trainers, is a ten-day, face-to-face outdoor training certified by AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group.
Eligibility and Requirements
Participants must be over 21 and hold a Level 2 qualification or have significant experience working with young people. They should also have a First Aid certificate, with a 16-hour outdoor First Aid certificate recommended. Participants should be able to deliver a six-session Forest School pilot programme during training.
Course Details
The course covers Forest School programme delivery, learning and development, planning and preparation, practical skills, and woodland environment. It takes place over several days, with the specific dates being 11th-13th November 2025 and 24th-25th November 2025, from 9:30am to 5:30pm each day, with the exception of day 4 where the end time will be 8pm.
The course consists of five units: Practical Skills, Planning and Preparation, Woodland Environment, Delivery, and Learning and Development. All coursework is submitted and marked on Moodle. The guided learning hours for the qualification are 155, and the total qualification time is 180 hours.
Coursework Portfolio
Participants will complete a coursework portfolio with five units to be completed within 12 months. Each unit has a specific hand-in date: 08.12.2025, 26.01.2026, 13.04.2026, 01.09.2026, and 01.09.2026, respectively. Support visits, mentoring, and first aid training options are available.
Additional Information
Hot drinks, all required paperwork, tools and equipment for the outdoor tasks will be provided. Participants are required to bring a packed lunch, suitable outdoor clothing, stout shoes or boots, and a camera. People with limited mobility are advised to contact the organizer in advance.
Dogs are permitted on the red trail only. For more conservation jobs and courses, visit www.environmentjob.co.uk. Participants are required to read and agree to the terms and conditions and Learner Agreement before booking. The Diversity and Inclusion policy, Students complaints and appeals procedures are available within the Terms & Conditions.
For bookings, contact Suffolk Wildlife Trust at the provided main phone number or via email at [email protected]. Upcoming Forest School and Paediatric First Aid courses are available in May and October 2025.
Please note that the course is not suitable for all candidates due to the requirements of the Level 3 course. Practicing Forest School leaders requiring 16-hour first aid training can do so for an additional £200.
For those who have completed AIM-accredited Level 2 Forest School training within 18 months of the Level 3 start, a shorter top-up course is available, attending only days 6-10. Otherwise, the full Level 3 course spans 10 days with extensive study and practical requirements. The cost of the course is £785, with an option for instalment payments.
Forest School education-and-self-development is offered in Suffolk Wildlife Trust's Level 3 Forest School Leader course, providing opportunities for personal-growth, learning, and expanding skills in leadership, facilitation, practical, and teaching aspects related to Forest School. Participants will complete a coursework portfolio and submit their work on Moodle, with deadlines spaced out over 12 months.
