Forest School Training

Here at Inspired Forest School Training our aim is to provide you with the highest quality Forest School training course in Gloucestershire. Therefore, we offer accredited qualifications – at Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 – in a unique and friendly working Forest School. Our courses and setting serves Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Bristol, Somerset, Swindon, Monmouthshire, Wiltshire and the surrounding areas.

What is Forest School?

First of all Forest School is a unique approach to learning with child-led play at its centre and, above all, children are offered curriculum-linked activities that are all small and achievable.

This allows students to build self-esteem, resilience and confidence. Sessions are facilitated by the adults with at least one Level Three Forest School Leader in the group. This regular access to nature and risk taking allows individuals to reach their full potential.

Forest School roots are in the Scandinavian way of life but having 15 years experience of visiting Sweden, Denmark and Norway, observing teaching this way, we know that we are in a strong position to train adult students.

Our key aim as a not-for-profit making company is to enable more children to access this wonderful style of learning. We are lucky to be able to offer our trainees the opportunity to learn alongside children as we have strong partnerships with local schools and businesses. Why choose anywhere else? Join us and let’s inspire together!

What is Forest School Training?

To achieve the best outcome for our students, we are working alongside two local schools and our friends at the University Of Gloucestershire, The Ernest Cook Trust ,Natural Mindfulness and Badger Wood Adventures.

Unique Leader training

As a result of this, and as part of our unique training, students will observe and participate in numerous Forest School settings. Consequently the coursework and objectives will be much easier to access and achieve. Students will also feel more confident in the process of setting up and running their own Forest School settings. Our support continues even once you have completed your training.

Practical experiences

These experiences allow our trainees maximum opportunity for practical learning with the ones who matter most in Forest School – the children. Forest School is an inspirational process offering everyone the opportunity to succeed through small, achievable tasks. Furthermore sessions focus upon participants taking well calculated risks.

What Forest School courses do we offer?

Our Forest School Training courses include Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 Forest School Leader training as well as a series of development days. The level that you can begin at depends on your experience, age and qualifications.

As part of our unique courses, we will guide and support you every step of the way.

We also offer professional development courses. We like to call these FOREST SCHOOL PLUS. Courses we run include Natural Mindfulness with Ian Banyard of Cotswold Natural Mindfulness, Advanced Forest School Tool Use with Touchwood Crafts and Achievable Willow Weaving with Helen of Glos Arts and Crafts Centre.

Sports Premium Funding

If you receive Sports Premium funding then all of our courses can be funded using this. We look forward to helping you to reach your full potential through your qualification with us.

upcoming dates…

Forest School principles

Finally, throughout our Forest School Training we follow the key principles of Forest School from its Scandinavian roots. These principles have been set out by the Forest School Association (FSA):

Meet the trainer

Shane is our Forest School Leader and QCF trainer. He has been a Forest School Leader for 11 years and is nothing less than an outdoor learning expert!

Since completing his qualification in 2007, he has established three Forest School sites, whilst at the same time working with thousands of children at Forest School sessions, as well as welcoming colleagues and visiting staff locally and from Europe… READ MORE

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• forest school song Forest School Song Have you ever heard a Forest School song? Thanks to the children of Steam Mills...
• Forest School Mallet Any new Forest School Leader will hopefully have made their mallet. This represents a step in a jo...
• Magic of Hazel facts Magic of hazel FaCtS (Corylus Avellana) 🌳🌳 🍂 Also known as Cob Nuts tree 🍂 Hazel rods protect agai...

Why choose Inspired Forest School?