OCN Level 3 Forest School Practitioners Award


Date:  Course dates for Forest School training led by Birchwood Learning are listed on the FSTC website.
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm each day
Location: Various locations in Norfolk and Hampshire.
Cost: Refer to FSTC website for up to date prices.
Description:
The Forest School Practitioner training award is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification and is accredited through the Open [...]

Date:  Course dates for Forest School training led by Birchwood Learning are listed on the FSTC website.

Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm each day

Location: Various locations in Norfolk and Hampshire.

Cost: Refer to FSTC website for up to date prices.

Description:
The Forest School Practitioner training award is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification and is accredited through the Open College Network (OCN). It is aimed at teachers and other education professionals already working with children/young people to become qualified to lead Forest School Programmes.

The Forest School Practitioners Award consists of 18 OCN credits contained in three units of study:

  • Learning and Development at Forest School
  • Forest School Practical Skills and Woodland Management
  • Establishment and Delivery of a Forest School Programme

The training equates to 70 hours of taught time and requires, on average, a further 110 hours of self-study time from the student.

The course is being offered in a Modular Format (unique to the Forest School Training Co.) which is designed to break down the learning into more manageable chunks and progress learners’ skills and understanding throughout the course duration. The modular format also means that students can undertake the first 2 modules to gain a Level 2 qualification, or if they have already got a Level 2 Forest School qualification they can join at module 3 and ‘top-up’ to gain their Level 3 Forest School Leaders qualification. You can find out more details about the modular format of training on the Forest School Training Company’s website.

Entry Requirements:

Level 3 candidates must:

  • Be over 21 years of age.
  • Be a qualified teacher, play worker, youth worker or support worker (to Level 2 or equivalent) OR compile a portfolio of at least 2 years experience of working with their chosen client group in aleadership capacity.
  • Hold a current enhanced CRB disclosure.
  • Hold a current First Aid qualification suitable for working outdoors with children (see course listings for forthcoming first aid courses).
  • Have access to a group with whom they’ll run a 6-session practice Forest School programme.

Level 2 candidates must:

  • Be over 18 years of age.
  • Have some experience and/or qualifications in working with their chosen client group.
  • Hold a current enhanced CRB disclosure.
  • Assist in 3 sessions of a programme run by a Level 3 qualified FS practitioner.

Course Itinerary:
All of the course elements need to be attended for Level 3 and module 1 and 2 need to be attended for Level 2. The course usually runs over a period of around 10 months in total.

  • Immersion day – 1 day (module 2 takes place on the next 2 consecutive days)
  • Module 1 Forest School Foundation – 2 consecutive days
  • Module 2 Leader 1 – 2 consecutive days
  • Module 3 Leader 2 – 3 consecutive days
  • Module 4 Leader 3 – 2 consecutive days
  • Module 5 Practical Skills Assessment (camp out) (2 consecutive days – usually weekend)
  • Module 6 Delivery Assessment Week beginning TBC (at your Forest School session – date and time TBA with tutor)

Training Times – training starts at 9am and finishes at 5pm for Modules 1, 2, 3 & 4.  Module 5 includes an optional campout.

Assessments:
There are two assessments:

  • Practical Skills assessment which takes place on Module 5.
  • Delivery Assessment – each student will be assessed on their leadership. This is a 2 hour assessment at one of the student’s weekly Forest School sessions and takes place during the Assessment dates as above. If students are working outside of a 30mile radius from the training venue, an additional assessment supplement will be charged.

Coursework Portfolio:
Students will need to compile a written coursework portfolio in order to complete this training. This requires the student to do further reading, research, writing of short essays and creation of a Health and Safety Handbook for their 6-week Forest School programme. The modules are broken down into workbooks to support you to manage your coursework.

Equipment and Kit:
The tools and equipment required on the training will be provided by the FSTC. Students are required to purchase their own Safety boots (approved Safety Wear) for the Level 3 course (for Modules 3,4 & 5) and provide their own waterproofs and outdoor clothing for use on all modules of the training.

Further information & Booking:
This course is being administrated through The Forest School Training Co.

An electronic booking form is also available from their website by following the link above.

Contact the Forest School Training Co. if you have any questions.