Forest School and Outdoor Learning Training in Appledore, North Devon
We are part of the Cambium Sustainable Training network and offer a range of courses from level 1 -3,  accredited by Agored Cymru, supported by the Forest School Association (FSA).  
We are developing our training programme to offer a suite of outdoor learning courses. This will ensure that you find the most suitable training to meet your outdoor learning needs. 
We offer a supportive mentoring environment from both tutors and peers, offering accessible training over weekends, payment plans are available, and where possible we will look to offer funded training opportunities. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements further. 

Forest School Training 

The Forest School pedagogy, is  nature based, child-led, holistic learning environment. Forest School  incorporates an element of risk to foster social and emotional development, resilience and creativity. Forest School leaders are facilitators rather than teachers, and sessions should embrace good practice as outlined by the Forest School Association's (FSA) Six Principles of Forest School. 

Forest School Training is offered at level 1 (an introductory level) to level 3 (Forest School Leader. You need to be over 18 years old for the Level 2 and 3 award and have some experience of working with children.
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Forest School 2023 Training dates:

Level 3 Forest School Leader
Easter  2024
2nd-5th April 2024, 20th, 21st April, 11th, 12th May.
£950

​Summer  2024
12th August - 21st Aug
(excluding 17th, 18th). 
£950. 

Autumn 2024
Weekend Course 28th - 31st October, 16th 17th November, 7th 8th December.
£950.

Level 2 Forest School Assistant 
Level 2 courses run alongside all our Level 3 courses.  This will be 5 of the schedule days face to face training and 6 months of portfolio work. You need to be working alongside a Level 3 Practitioner. 
£450

Outdoor Learning Training 

Outdoor Learning embraces any formalised learning happening outdoors, in any kind of outdoor space from a playground to a pond dip!

Training is offered from level 1 to 3, from ideas and theory of Outdoor Learning and Play, to a full Outdoor Curriculum Coordinators course. 

This training would be suitable for anyone working within a school setting wanting to further develop their skills and knowledge..

Outdoor Practitioners, or parents wanting to extend opportunities for outdoor learning at home. 
Curriculum Based Outdoor Learning
2023 Training dates: 
Level 3  Co-ordinating an Outdoor Curriculum.
Face to face course
​August 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th 2024
£450.
Level 2  Curriculum based Outdoor Learning Practitioner.
​Face to face Course
​August 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th 2024
£450.
New For 2024!
​Blended  Course
Study at your own pace with online content linked to learning theory. Then join us at one of our seasonal face to face session for the hands on element of the course, crammed with ideas and experiences to develop your outdoor learning practice. A chance to meet fellow practitioners and chat through the development of your portfolio. 
Start the online content once you have completed registration, this takes around two months  before attending the face to face training day. 
Level 2  Curriculum based Outdoor Learning Practitioner.
​Blended  Course
Start online content anytime then join one of our face to face sessions. 
Spring 2024- 12th April
Summer 2024- 23rd July
Autumn 2024 - 19th October
​ £450.

Other Training 

We are also offering courses and Continual Professional Development in a range of outdoor activities from campfire cooking to health and well-being. We will work with local experts to provide a range of courses. Please keep an eye on the website and Facebook page for further details.

Taster days 
Forest School/Outdoor Learning Taster Days 

​31st May 2024 £20

Cost is refunded if you make a price booking on Forest School or Outdoor Learning Level  Training Course. Includes campfire cooked lunch and refreshments throughout the day. 
All our courses are currently delivered from Appledore Primary School, Appledore, North Devon, EX39 1PF

Course Diary

 Find out more about individual courses in our course diary below. Or use our calendar for an overview of training dates.
21th August - 31st August 2023 (excluding 26th - 28th August)
Level 3 - Forest School Practitioner 
£760 
Level 3 accredited training for Forest School Facilitators. To complete this course you need to have an appropriate space and group to complete a portfolio of evidence over 9 months. The course includes elements of learning theory, teaching practical skills training and assessment, It also includes a work based assessment where an assessor will come and observe a session in your setting, this ensures best practice and conforms to guidance by the Forest School Association. There will be an additional portfolio building day date TBC. 
Autumn 2023/Winter 2024
Level 3 - Forest School Practitioner 
£950
Weekend sessions all dates must be attended, 14th, 21st October, 11th, 18th November, 9th December, 27th January, 10th/11th February. Level 3 accredited training for Forest School Facilitators. To complete this course you need to have an appropriate space and group to complete a portfolio of evidence over 9 months. The course includes elements of learning theory, teaching practical skills training and assessment, It also includes a work based assessment where an assessor will come and observe a session in your setting, this ensures best practice and conforms to guidance by the Forest School Association. There will be an additional portfolio building day date TBC. 
4th, 5th, 25th, 26th November  2023
Co-ordinating an Outdoor Curriculum  - Level 3 
£350
Four days of practical ideas to take your primary curriculum outside. Lots of cross curricular ideas to take away. As part of this course you will need to complete a small portfolio and have a group available to deliver sessions to. 
Saturday  2nd  March
Forest School/Outdoor Learning Practitioner Taster Session 
£20
A days taster of Forest School/ Outdoor Learning Training - come and spend the day in the woods, enjoy a campfire lunch and explore whether Forest School or Outdoor Learning is right for you and your setting. If you go on to book a Level 2/3 course the £20 fee will be refunded off the full price of training. 
Spring 2024
Level 3 - Forest School Practitioner 
£950
 All dates must be attended, 2nd-5th April, 20th, 21st April 2024, 11th, 12th May 2024. Level 3 accredited training for Forest School Facilitators. To complete this course you need to have an appropriate space and group to complete a portfolio of evidence over 9 months. The course includes elements of learning theory, teaching practical skills training and assessment, It also includes a work based assessment where an assessor will come and observe a session in your setting, this ensures best practice and conforms to guidance by the Forest School Association. There will be an additional portfolio building day date TBC. 
Friday 31st  May
Forest School/Outdoor Learning Practitioner Taster Session 
£20
A days taster of Forest School/ Outdoor Learning Training - come and spend the day in the woods, enjoy a campfire lunch and explore whether Forest School or Outdoor Learning is right for you and your setting. If you go on to book a Level 2/3 course the £20 fee will be refunded off the full price of training. 
We are members of the FSA and support it's aims. Use the link to find out more about Forest School, the six principles of Forest School to provide quality provision. The use of this logo represents no endorsement by the organisation for the services we provide. The awarding body for our training is supported by the FSA and will allow you to become a member of the FSA and apply to have your own practice recognised by them. 

Our courses are accredited by Agored, and the qualification is recognised by the FSA and endorsed by the Institute for Outdoor Learning. 

We are part of the Cambium Network of Trainers - A nationwide network which administers the registration of courses with Agored, verifies the quality of courses and portfolio's being delivered to ensure training and industry standards are met,  including annual standardisation and sharing of best practice.