Forest School Training Level 3 Hampshire

This LASER Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders (RQF) is a nationally recognised, in depth training course.

Training Days: 5th, 12th & 19th May, 2nd, 3rd & 30th June, 8th September 2026 and 12th January 2027 (9.30am to 4.30pm)

Skills Days: 6th & 7th October 2026 (9.00am to 4.30pm)

Forest School First Aid course days: 2nd & 3rd November 2026 (9.00am to 6.00pm)

*Plus a mandatory mentoring visit at one of six Forest School sessions to be planned and delivered by you.

Forest School is an inspirational process that offers children, young people and adults of all abilities regular opportunities to gain confidence and raise self-worth through a series of hands-on learning experiences in school grounds and local woodlands.

Comprising an exciting combination of practical outdoor skills and child development theory our Forest School Level 3 training is taught with the ethos behind the Forest School approach to child led learning.

The Forest School Leader Level 3 course is run on Forest School principles and will prepare you to become a Forest School Leader. The Level 3 course will enable you to set up your own Forest School including running, planning and monitoring all aspects of a Forest School programme. All our Forest School courses are delivered on our beautiful woodland reserves in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight by our qualified, professional staff.

For further information or queries about Forest School Leader training, before booking your place, please get in touch with the team on ForestSchool@hiwwt.org.uk

There is also a short video for managers and supporters on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBhi2pw0p98

This course will take place at Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve situated between Southampton and Fareham in Hampshire.

To achieve the Level 3 Certificate you will need to complete all of the following:

Eight days of training in theory and practice to cover:

• Planning a Forest School programme
• Learning and development at a Forest School programme
• Practical skills for a Forest School programme
• Forest School programmes and the woodland environment
• Delivery of a Forest School programme

Two separate skills days to develop and assess practical skills and to discuss progress.

Two Forest School First Aid (including Paediatric First Aid) training days.

Portfolio of assignments to be completed within 12 months of start date via Moodle.

Mentoring visit during one of your six Introduction to Forest School sessions to be planned and delivered by you.

All our Forest School Level 3 trainees on this course will be eligible for 12 months discounted membership of the Forest School Association, the professional body for Forest School practitioners.

Before booking, please ensure you and your supporter/line manager read the Accredited Training Course Agreement.

Payment must be received in full 8 weeks before the start date of the course.

If you cancel at any time within the 8 weeks before the start date of the course, you will risk losing the full payment for the course. If we can fill your course place, we may be able to offer a partial refund of your payment minus a 10% administration fee.

If you cancel during the course, we are unable to offer any refund.

Please contact us via ForestSchool@hiwwt.org.uk before requesting a refund on Eventbrite.

Entry Criteria

Participants should be over 21

Particpants should either

• hold a Level 2 qualification and have significant experience of working with children or young people, or with adults in the outdoors
• hold a Level 3 qualification in education or childcare

Participants must hold a current DBS certificate

All participants will hold a Forest School First Aid certificate by the end of the course. This training has been integrated into the course and is a 16-hour Forest School or Outdoor First Aid certificate with a Level 3 Paediatric First Aid Certificate.

Please be aware that support for planning and delivering Forest School sessions and time to put together the portfolio are particularly important with this training course. We recommend any supporter/ line manager reads the FS Level 3 Supporter Requirements document before you complete the booking and application process.

You will be contacted by one of the course Tutors and your course fee will be fully refunded should you not meet the course entry criteria.

Tutor

Dawn Preston – Education and Training Officer

Abi Gibbard - Assistant Training Officer

Kris Richards & Sue Edwards - Outdoor Learning Tutors

Course Reviews

Ruth, Fareham

'Just a heartfelt thank you to our fabulous tutors. They really inspired us.'

Hannah, Winchester

I have hugely enjoyed the course especially the practical sessions and Dawn and Vic were very approachable and had invaluable knowledge and expertise to share.

Tom, Romsey

'I thought the course was fantastic, it was the right mix of practical and theoretical elements combined with knowledgeable, helpful and kind leaders! Each session was informative, useful and relevant to our stage of learning. The practical elements were both fun and useful, and the opportunity on those days to develop our community of learners was much appreciated. Our cohort came closer together and by the end of the course were in regular contact supporting each other with any thoughts and questions. The location was excellent and really suited the needs of the course.'