The Level 2 to Level 3 top up qualification is a way for Forest School Level 2 Assistants to upgrade their existing qualification. Due to the requirements of the Level 3 course, this course is not suitable for all candidates.

Location: Bradfield Woods, IP30 OAQ

Course dates:19th-21st September 2025 25th and 26th October 2025 (with option of overnight stay in the woods Saturday night)

Time: 9:30am - 5:30pm each day

Practicing Forest School leaders require 16 hour first aid (this corresponds to Forest School Association guidance for Forest School Leaders). We offer this training for an additional £200, please see website for dates (www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/cpd)

A support visit will also be provided for participants based in Suffolk. Out of county learners will be required to provide video evidence of their pilot study.

Entry criteria:

Minimum age 21
There is an assumption that you are either currently assisting at Forest School, or have very recent experience of doing so.
You are required to provide a copy of your Forest School Level 2 Assistant certificate on the first day of the course.
You will be be able to use your Level 2 work to complete your Level 3 qualification and will have to submit this alongside the relevant learning outcomes on Moodle (the platform we use to submit all work)
If you have completed your Level 2 prior to 2016 please contact us as the Level 2 criteria has been updated in that time frame.
All participants must demonstrate that they are in a position to deliver a six session Forest School pilot programme during their training.
All participants must hold a First Aid certificate before delivering Forest School. A 16-hour First Aid with an outdoor element is recommended.

Cost: £785

If you have completed your Level 2 Forest School Assistant qualification with Suffolk Wildlife Trust within 18 months of the start date of the Level 3 course, you'll benefit from an exclusive reduced price of £685.
Option to pay in instalments available but the course must be paid for in full before the start date.
If you are a school or other organisation wishing to book your place via invoice please complete the online booking form here.

Course layout:

Five days of training to cover Forest School programme delivery, learning and development, planning and preparation, practical skills and the woodland environment. This is an outdoor course. A coursework portfolio should be completed within 12 months of the start of the course, this will involve a lot of additional study time. As part of the course you will be required to plan and deliver an assessed six week Forest School programme.

Course content:

The Level 3 top up course is designed to develop leadership, facilitation, practical and teaching skills to enable participants to understand the principles and ethos of Forest School and to plan and deliver Forest School programmes. We will build on your Level 2 practical skills and experience, going more in depth and demonstrating lots of practical uses.

The course consists of five units, click here to download the assessment criteria and learning outcomes for each unit.

Practical Skills (hand in date: 08.12.2025)
Planning and Preparation (hand in date: 26.01.2026)
Woodland Environment (hand in date: 13.04.2026)
Delivery (hand in date: 13.07.2026)
Learning and Development (hand in date: 01.09.2026)

What will I need for the course?

Please make sure you bring the following with you each day:

Packed lunch, cup and snacks
Suitable outdoor clothing for the weather conditions (trousers, not shorts)
Stout shoes or boots. Please do not wear sandals.
A camera can be useful for recording some of the activities.

We will provide:

Tea and coffee
All required paperwork
All tools and equipment for the outdoor tasks (N.B. For a variety of reasons we would ask you not to bring your own tools)

Please ensure you have read and agree to the terms and conditions and Learner Agreement before booking. Our Diversity and Access policy, Students complaints and appeals procedures are also available as links within the Terms & Conditions.

For more conservation jobs and courses please see www.environmentjob.co.uk

Forest School Training Level 2>3 Top Up (September 2025)(E4P 2806)