Accredited training opportunities for Forest School Leaders.
Accredited Forest School Training Courses
Join our forest school leader training to gain an accredited qualification with our multi-day courses, or refresh your skills and stay up to date by continuing your learning on our CPD evening sessions.
The AIM Qualifications suite of Forest School qualifications has been developed with the support of the Forest School Association specialists in delivery and training.
Forest school leader training at Bishops Wood
We offer multi-day Forest School training courses that lead to nationally recognised qualifications, alongside flexible continuing professional development opportunities.
Training takes place in Worcestershire at our Bishops Wood purpose built centre, set in a rich woodland learning environment where you’ll gain hands-on experience and confidence delivering Forest School in your own setting.
Why Forest School Matters
Spending regular time outdoors helps children and young people build a strong connection with nature and supports their physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.
Forest School is a long-term, learner-centred approach where participants:
- Engage in regular outdoor sessions
- Learn through hands-on experiences
- Develop independence, confidence and resilience
Our training explores both theory and practical skills, giving you the knowledge and confidence to plan and lead high-quality Forest School sessions.
The process helps and facilitates more than knowledge-gathering, it helps learners develop socially, emotionally, spiritually, physically and intellectually. It creates a safe, non-judgmental nurturing environment for learners to try stuff out and take risks. Forest School inspires a deep and meaningful connection to the world and an understanding of how a learner fits within it. Forest School therefore, helps participants to become, healthy, resilient, creative and independent learners.
Forest School Association
Join our Forest School Training is to upskill leaders to be able to deliver Forest School in their own setting.
Training Levels Explained
- Level 1: This course shows how the principles of Forest School can be incorporated into educational and everyday settings.
- Level 2: Level 2 training allows you to become a qualified Forest School Assistant.
- Level 3: This nationally recognised qualification allows you to lead Forest School sessions.
“I’m really enjoying it, learning new things, meeting people, making connections. It’s challenging, but it’s good fun and it’s nice to be outdoors.”
Subjects covered in our CPD sessions
Our 2 hour CPD sessions are designed to refresh and practice the core Forest School skills. Anyone who has completed or working towards level 1, 2 or 3 is very welcome to attend. Sessions will focus on:
- Fire lighting and cooking
- Wildlife knowledge and species identification
- Tools and craft items
- Knots, ropes and shelter
We also have some Forest School Sessions at selected Field Studies Council centres.
