Enjoy a rewarding career
Forest School is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning. Its philosophy is to encourage and inspire children of all ages through positive outdoor experiences. It is a way of learning that offers everyone opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning in the woodland or natural environment.
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One of the most important and rewarding roles of a Forest School Leader is the ability to provide support for the social and emotional development of children, in particular those combatting low self-esteem.
About the Forest School course
We provide the Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification which consists of five mandatory units, two of which are predominantly the theory behind Forest School, its background and how it links to the Early Years Foundation Stage. Through these courses, you will understand the Forest School Ethos, develop practical outdoor skills and be able to assist or deliver Forest School programmes.
As part of the training we promote reflective practice for self-development and deeper learning, therefore the remaining units consist of planning and delivering six Forest School sessions and demonstrating the candidates competency skills. Learners are provided with practical skills training where they are given the opportunity to learn about the key elements of delivering Forest School specifically to early years children and how to manage the site of your forest school, which includes the use of tools, den-building, knot-tying and making fires safely to cook. This practical training can be arranged in groups or on a one to one basis.
24/7 support from an experienced assessor
You're partnered with a knowledgeable assessor who will support you throughout your learning journey.
Bespoke training online or face-to-face
Choose the format that's right for you. Enjoy the flexibility of digital or the extra personalised nature of in-person training.
Learning style adaptations
Learn how you learn best. We adjust our training courses according to you so you can pass with flying colours.
Career progression advice
Get advice from experts in the sector on how to best achieve your goals. Map out your journey from where you are now.
Why choose Broaden?
Popular natural settings in Gloucestershire
The ethos behind Forest School is that any natural setting can provide an opportunity for children to grow in confidence, explore risk-taking, and develop a curiosity for wildlife. It doesn't matter whether you live in a city or in a rural village; small parks, large nature reserves and even your doorstep can provide the foundation for positive experiences. With that in mind, here we list some of the most popular natural settings in Gloucestershire where you can use the skills you learn during your Forest School training.
Forest of Dean
The Forest of Dean is located on the western side of Gloucestershire that is characterised by one of the ancient woodlands in England. The forest is home to a variety of trees, including sweet chestnut, beech, Weymouth pine, and Norway spruce. It is also known for its woodland birds such as redstarts, wood warblers, pied flycatchers, and Nightjars. With an enormous variety of trees and flying birds, the forest offers a great spot to explore the multifariousness of nature.
Cyril Hart Arboretum
A lovely place to enjoy a long walk, the Cyril Hart Arboretum is a fenced botanical garden home to over 200 species of trees. Each tree is labelled so that children and adults can explore them easily while walking on the surfaced or unsurfaced trails. It offers a scenic view to witness the falling leaves in autumn and the blooming colours in spring. Overall, it’s an excellent spot for children to explore nature in all its inclusiveness.
Puzzlewood
Puzzlewood is located within the Forest of Dean and is an ancient woodland site in Gloucestershire. The area features rocks covered by moss and twisted roots of the Yew trees that give it a magical and puzzled look. The fact that Harry Potter and Star Wars were filmed in Puzzlewood will make the children more interested in exploring this enchanting atmosphere. The site also features farm animals, willow maze, and indoor maze to make its discovery exciting.
