Enjoy a rewarding career
Forest School is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning. Its philosophy is to encourage and inspire children of all ages through positive outdoor experiences. It is a way of learning that offers everyone opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning in the woodland or natural environment.
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One of the most important and rewarding roles of a Forest School Leader is the ability to provide support for the social and emotional development of children, in particular those combatting low self-esteem.
About the Forest School course
We provide the Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification which consists of five mandatory units, two of which are predominantly the theory behind Forest School, its background and how it links to the Early Years Foundation Stage. Through these courses, you will understand the Forest School Ethos, develop practical outdoor skills and be able to assist or deliver Forest School programmes.
As part of the training we promote reflective practice for self-development and deeper learning, therefore the remaining units consist of planning and delivering six Forest School sessions and demonstrating the candidates competency skills. Learners are provided with practical skills training where they are given the opportunity to learn about the key elements of delivering Forest School specifically to early years children and how to manage the site of your forest school, which includes the use of tools, den-building, knot-tying and making fires safely to cook. This practical training can be arranged in groups or on a one to one basis.
24/7 support from an experienced assessor
You're partnered with a knowledgeable assessor who will support you throughout your learning journey.
Bespoke training online or face-to-face
Choose the format that's right for you. Enjoy the flexibility of digital or the extra personalised nature of in-person training.
Learning style adaptations
Learn how you learn best. We adjust our training courses according to you so you can pass with flying colours.
Career progression advice
Get advice from experts in the sector on how to best achieve your goals. Map out your journey from where you are now.
Why choose Broaden?
Popular wildlife settings in Leicestershire
The ethos behind Forest School is that any natural setting can provide an opportunity for children to grow in confidence, explore risk-taking, and develop a curiosity for wildlife. It doesn't matter whether you live in a city or in a rural village; small parks, large nature reserves and even your doorstep can provide the foundation for positive experiences. With that in mind, here we list some of the most popular natural settings in Leicestershire where you can use the skills you learn during your Forest School training.
The Outwoods
One of the oldest surviving woodland sites in Charnwood, this space consists of exciting walking trails that take the children right to a bird feeding station. The Outwoods encompasses a rich variety of birds, insects, and plants that spark learning and curiosity among children in forest school training. Due to clear felling, the ancient woodland is filled with conifer planting.
Croft Hill
A 128m high and a largely flat area, Croft Hill provides a wide variety of habitats, including scrubland, woodland, and a few distinct areas of grassland. The spring and autumn birds make this site a natural focus of their passage. Forest school children can trail along pleasant walks on well-made paths and explore various birds, including the Peregrine Falcon, Buzzard, and Kestrel. It also abides many insects, including the Red-eyed Damselfly and Adonis Ladybird.
Melton Country Park
Melton Country Park is located close to the city centre and has map boards to show the lakes and footpaths. The park consists of various oak trees and shrubs and offers forest school children a chance to explore different fauna and fauna. It also has a permanent lake which provides a wetland habitat for fish, birds, and invertebrates. All in all, it is a delightful spot where children can enjoy being in nature and develop a love for its creatures.
