Forest School Training Level 3: Tilgate Park, Crawley (1002A37045)

Dates and Timings

Online Moodle Platform Introduction Session: Tuesday, 4th August 2026, 7-8pm

Module 1: 17th-21st August 2026, 9.30am-4.30pm

Module 2: 6th-8th October 2026, 9.30am - 4.30pm

Location: Tilgate Park, Crawley, RH10 5PQ. In the woods near the black recreation huts

what3words: direct.tidy.itself

Parking / Public transport: Use Traveline to plan your journey

Meeting Point: Tilgate Drive entrance next to the K2 Leisure Centre off the A23. The meeting point is the first free car park with yellow barriers on the left as you drive up Tilgate Drive

Google link: 51°05'45.7"N 0°11'19.3"W - Google Maps

Toilets: · Public toilets are available in the main carpark. What3words: ///call.sports.across & Google map link. We will also provide a toilet tent and handwashing facilities.

Who is this course for?

This training course is the nationally recognised standard of training for individuals wishing to develop, lead and manage Forest School programmes.

Entry Criteria

• Participants should be over 21 and should hold a qualification at Level 2 or above in teaching, pre-school education, youth work or have significant experience of working with young people in the outdoors.
• All participants must hold a First Aid certificate by the end of the course. This can be the 16-hour outdoor first aid certificate or the 3-day First Aid at Work certificate.
• As part of your training and in order to complete your portfolio you will need to have a suitable site and a client group to deliver your, ‘Introduction to Forest School’ programme. This will consist of a minimum 6 two-hour sessions with the same client group. It is not vital to have this in place before the course, however it will help provide a context for your training if you are able to picture your site and have some knowledge of your client group(s).
• You will need to attend for the FULL duration of the course to achieve the regulated qualification. This is due to mandated contact training time requirements stipulated by the awarding body and SWT are unable to negotiate this stipulation.

Course Content

The Level 3 course will prepare you to plan, deliver and monitor all aspects of a Forest School programme.

We will discuss up to date theories on the Forest School approach to learning, the holistic development of Forest School learners and a positive attitude to risk taking. The practical outdoor learning will include tool use and the safe lighting, management and use of a camp fire in a Forest School setting, safe use of a range of hand tools and a variety of outdoor games and activities. Also covered will be the identification of woodland flora and fauna, and the sustainable use of a woodland within the context of Forest School. The course will be run on Forest School principles, so you will see the Forest School ethos in action.

Will this course lead to a nationally recognised qualification?

Yes, on successful completion of the course you will gain the nationally recognised qualification Level 3 Certificate in Forest School Programme Leadership (QCF), which was developed in collaboration with the Forest School Association (FSA) accredited by the AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group.

We will provide:

• All required portfolio paperwork
• All tools and equipment for the outdoor tasks

Course Layout

Module 1 - Five consecutive days of training in theory and practice which will cover

• Learning and development at forest school
• Forest school practical skills
• Setting up, delivering and evaluating of a forest school programme

Module 2 - Three consecutive days to further develop and assess practical skills and to discuss progress

• Forest School practical skills
• Woodland management at Forest School

The course will take place outside in a woodland setting.

A supportive observation at one of six Forest School sessions to be planned and delivered by you at your setting.

A coursework portfolio should be completed within 12 months of the course start date (Please refer to booking Terms & Conditions). We expect the completed coursework as a digital copy on the learning platform, Moodle. Log in details will be forwarded to your registered email address following enrolment.

Additional Benefits

Five optional mentoring days to assist you with the completion of your portfolio and to help with the development of your forest school.

Special Instructions:

Please ensure that you arrive ten minutes before the start time, on the first day, for registration.

Kit List

The training is primarily based outdoors and as such there are certain things you need to bring. The kit list below is obviously weather dependant.

• Please bring a form of photographic identification with you to register such as a driving licence, passport or other reputable form of photographic ID

• Work/Gardening (also known as Rigger) gloves
• Lunch, snacks and plenty of water. Hot water will be available, please bring your own tea/coffee/milk/flask etc.
• Notebook, pen and camera
• This is a practical and active outdoor course so please wear plenty of warm clothes, hat and gloves, thermals. It is often cooler in the woods.
• Full waterproofs including trousers.
• Please make sure you have closed toe, sturdy shoes or wellington boots suitable for a woodland setting.
• Always wear long trousers, even if the forecast is a hot day. This is for safe tool use and tick prevention.
• Consider sun cream and insect repellent (if susceptible)
• A bag to carry your kit

Hygiene

Please DO NOT attend the course if you are unwell (high temperature, continuous cough, diarrhoea and/or vomiting within last 48 hours) and notify your trainer via TEXT directly.

Severe Weather

We aim to go ahead in most weather conditions; however, activities will not go ahead in severe weather such as high winds, extreme cold and/or persistent heavy rain, and where indoor alternatives cannot be arranged. You will receive an email and/or a phone call the day before the event to be informed of cancellation. If you are not contacted, the event will be going ahead as planned.

This information should answer most questions you have about the training, however if you do have any further queries please don’t hesitate to contact:

fstraining@sussexwt.org.uk Tel: 01273 497561

Please read, understand and agree to our Booking Terms and Conditions here before making a booking.

Forest School Training | Sussex Wildlife Trust

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation more than 90 days before the course start date = 10% of total booking cost

Cancellation between 31-90 days before the course start date = 50% of total booking cost

Cancellation less than 30 days before the course start date = 100% of total booking cost