Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders (RQF)

Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders (RQF)

Key Points

• Qualify as a Forest School Leader with an approved Forest School Association qualification
• Learn how to plan and deliver a Forest School programme
• Achieve a Level 3 Certificate qualification
• Includes a practical placement
• Provides 8 UCAS Tariff Points
• Start and study at any time

About Your Qualification

The Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders qualification has been designed to deliver the necessary skills and knowledge you will need to run a Forest School Programme and is supported by the Forest School Association. Learning consists of online theory and gathering your own portfolio of evidence in a forest school setting.

Over the course of five units, this online qualification covers how to set up and run a Forest School programme, how to facilitate groups in a learner-centred way and how to manage a Forest School site in a sustainable way.

All the material is readily available once you enrol, so you’re able to start right away! This course includes a mandatory practical placement, which you will need to arrange yourself. The placement you arrange can be organised and completed at any point in the course.

UCAS Status

Learners looking to go to university or continue their training at a Higher Education (HE) provider after completing one of our Level 3 animal courses will benefit from UCAS Points.

All our Level 3 animal qualifications are allocated a certain number of UCAS Tariff Points, ranging from 8 to 48 points. These are used to meet entry requirements for higher education establishments. So, if you are keen to pursue the next stage of your career, this Level 3 course will help you achieve it.

Getting Started

learndirect is the UK's leading online course provider. Our online courses and qualifications give you the flexibility to engage with your studies whenever suits you best.

The benefit of online learning means that you can plan your studies around your existing commitments. So, you're able to progress with your learning in a way that works for you, without the stressful balancing act. With no classes to attend or a timetable to stick to, you're in control of the pace and place of your learning.

What's more, we have dedicated and experienced online tutors to support you throughout your qualification, as well as all the material being readily available as soon as you enrol, so you're able to start right away.

Modules

Unit 1: Forest School Programme: Delivery

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to facilitate an ‘Introduction to Forest School Programme’ according to the Forest School ethos and principles
• Be able to assess the impact of the ‘Introduction to Forest School Programme’ on participants
• Be able to evaluate an ‘Introduction to Forest School Programme’

Unit 2: Forest School Programme: Learning and Development

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the Forest School Principles and holistic approach to learning and development in relation to an ‘Introduction to Forest School Programme’
• Understand the value of the play process at Forest School
• Understand relevant theories of learning and development and their application to Forest School
• Understand the impact of behaviour on learning and development at Forest School. Know how to reflect on your own Forest School training

Unit 3: Forest School Programme: Planning and Preparation

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the development of Forest School
• Be able to manage the ecological impact of a Forest School programme
• Be able to develop the underpinning documents required for a Forest School programme
• Be able to plan a Forest School programme in line with the Forest School ethos and principles

Unit 4: Forest School Programme: Practical Skills

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to apply a range of practical skills relevant to a Forest School programme
• Know how to facilitate a range of practical skills relevant to a Forest School programme in line with the Forest School ethos and principles

Unit 5: Forest School Programme: The Woodland Environment

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the structure of woodlands
• Know how to identify a range of flora and fauna and understand the importance of identification
• Understand the management of woodlands as a sustainable learning environment
• Understand the importance of the relationship between Forest School and the woodland environment

Entry Requirements

Learners must be age 19+ to enrol.

Minimum Age restriction

19

Average completion timeframe

You have 24 months to complete your course.

Assessment requirements

You will be assessed via a combination of video and photo submissions, your supervisor will also need to provide witness testimonies.

Placement or Practical required

This course includes a mandatory practical placement, which the learner will need to arrange themselves.

If placement or practical required, when?

The placement you arrange can be organised and completed at any point in the course.

Additional requirements

Upon completion of this course, you can register as a Forest School Leader from age 21 with the Forest School Association (FSA).

Certification Timeframe

Learners can expect their certification within 6 months of completing the course, following the (EQA) External Quality Assurance of assessment.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

To successfully gain the Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders, you must achieve 18 credits. You will be assessed via a combination of video and photo submissions, your supervisor will also need to provide witness testimonies.

When are you assessed?

As you’re in control of how you learn, you’re also in charge of when you hand in your assignments.

This enables you to take as long as you need to thoroughly understand the unit before completing any assignments.

Open College Network West Midlands

Upon successful completion of this qualification, you will be awarded a Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders, an Ofqual regulated qualification (Qualification Number: 603/2406/5). 

Open College Network West Midlands are a national Awarding Organisation, regulated by Ofqual, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and Qualifications Wales, to develop and award nationally recognised qualifications. 

This qualification is regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulations (Ofqual) in England and is part of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

Open College Network West Midlands are a national Awarding Organisation, regulated by Ofqual, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and Qualifications Wales, to develop and award nationally recognised qualifications.

Open College Network West Midlands work in partnership with employers, training providers, colleges, universities, schools and voluntary and community organisations to offer vocational credit-based qualifications, Access to Higher Education Diplomas and quality assured Customised Accreditation that enables learners gain employment or to progress into further learning and Higher Education. They also Quality Endorse organisations internal training and skills delivery.

The development and uptake of Forest Schools are increasing, along with the demand for qualified Forest School Leaders. More and more people have become interested in, and are seeing the benefit of, the Forest School ethos.

You can be confident in the knowledge that the Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders has been developed with the support of the Forest School Association and specialists in Forest School delivery and training.

On successful completion of the Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders, you may choose to progress directly into employment as a Forest School Leader. Each Local authority has a forest school coordinator who will be able to tell you which schools in the area provide forest school facilities.

Alternatively, you may choose to complement your qualification with further study. We have plenty of other animal-related courses and qualifications for you to progress onto and further your career prospects.