OCN Level 2 Forest School Assistant

Date: Wednesday 6^th to Friday 8^th April 2011 (Training component – please see below for assessments)

Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm

Location: Houghton Hall and Holt Hall Field Studies Centre

Cost: £400 (This fee has been subsidised by Norfolk County Council from the full cost of £550.)

Description:
The OCN Level 2 Forest School Assistant course is a nationally recognised qualification and is accredited through the Open College Network (OCN). It is aimed at anyone over the age of 18 wishing to be qualified as assistants at Forest School. It will develop practitioners’ skills and ideas for outdoor learning opportunities and enable candidates to fully support an existing Forest School.

Introduction to Forest School consists of 6 OCN credits contained in two units of study:

• Practical skills for the Forest School Assistant.
• Supporting learning and development at Forest School.

The training equates to 60 hours of work and is a combination of training, practical assessments, supporting an established Forest School and written coursework.

Entry Criteria:

• Be over 18 years of age.
• Have experience of working with children/young people.
• Have a current CRB disclosure.

Course Itinerary:

• The 3 day intensive training – 6^th – 8^th April 2011 at Houghton Hall Estate.
• The 2 day practical skills assessment – 16^th & 17^th May 2011 at Holt Hall Field Studies Centre.
• Supporting a Forest School programme – May – July 2011.
• Workbook hand-in date – 31^st July 2011.

Supporting a Forest School:
Students are required to support a minimum of three sessions at an established Forest School (led by a qualified Level 3 Practitioner). This ideally would be the Level 3 Leader who the Level 2 Practitioner will be assisting in the future. However if practitioners need to find a Level 3 Leader we can signpost students to appropriate practitioners.

Equipment and Kit:
All equipment and resources required on the training will be provided by the training providers. Students are required to purchase their own Safety boots (approved Safety Wear) and provide their own outdoor clothing (including waterproofs) for use on the training.

Booking:
Please view the Level 2 Information booklet available on the Forest School page.

This course is being coordinated through Norfolk County Council so please contact us for a booking form.