Level 3 Forest School Training: Online & In-Person
Get instant access to the course that will enable you to become the best forest school leader you can be, learn all the skills you need to work with groups in nature and prepare yourself for the best job in the world. A journey that starts online but ultimately takes you away from the screen and out into the freedom of the wild.
You’re a teacher, educator, parent, youth worker, in fact, any adult human-being who wants to get outside and connect yourself and others with the natural world.
You want to inspire discovery and learning in others and rediscover the joy of learning for yourself.
You're frustrated because...
You know you want to be a forest school leader and you want to start your adventure now but life (and lockdowns) are getting in the way
You're struggling to find a course that fits in with your busy life
You’ve got big dreams and you want to get on with them
You know there’s got to be something better than what mainstream education has to offer
I know those feelings well!
Hi, I’m Jackie Roby, one of the UK’s leading forest school trainers and outdoor learning experts.
I first heard about forest school when I was training as a primary school teacher, more than a decade ago. I found the education system to be outdated, full of pointless tasks and, quite frankly, joyless. Forest school sounded amazing!
So I trained as a forest school leader, started my own forest school and I’ve never looked back. I spent three years working for many of Bristol's green institutions including the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project, Bristol Zoo and Wild Place. I began training others through the Forest of Avon Trust, whilst also being a founder of The Hawthorn Project, a weekly outdoor project for women in recovery. I've also found time to complete a PGDip in Education and to train as a Montessori practitioner.
In forest school I found my element, the thing that spoke to my soul and that this was where I could really make a difference to both people and planet. It gave me the freedom to teach how I wanted and to create a job I love. After years of practising, I can now share that passion and experience with you, all at your own pace and in your own time.
Imagine…
having a qualification & loads of confidence
Not only will this course give you everything you need in order to gain your level 3 forest school qualification, it will also build your confidence to get out there and do it!
There’s even tips and tricks for how to create a job you love!
having access to support from experts
You’ll get support from me and my (small-but-perfectly-formed) team for the duration of your course.
You’ll also get support from the rest of the Go Wild Tribe (that’s you!) from all around the world.
loving your job (yes, really!)
The start of the week comes around and you’re raring to go!
This qualification isn’t an end goal, it’s the start of an amazing adventure!
Go Wild Level 3 Forest School Training
Go Wild Level 3 Forest School Training is an 18-month, self-paced course for people like you who want to gain an accredited level 3 forest school qualification. Choose from 100% online or add a 5-day workshop at the beautiful Wye Valley Sculpture Garden in Tintern.
“I feel like this course has reinvigorated my passion for working with children. It has echoed all of the educational philosophies and ethos that I fell in love with at university and that were slowly chipped away at while being in ‘the system’. I’ve learned more in a few hours with Jackie than I did in 16 years’ worth of INSET training”
- Syreeta
"Only three years ago I left a career in the City. The time since then has been a constant learning journey for me. Training as a teacher helped me develop many new skills. The chance to train as a forest school leader was the perfect opportunity for me to develop and extend my skills, to learn about the holistic development of children, and to combine this with my love of the outdoors. I have learnt a lot!”
- Andrew
“Your course, its layout and the videos are just brilliant. I'm thoroughly enjoying it and learning loads. I feel so inspired by this course, it's so clear and learner-centred. It offers so much diverse information and has lots of really usable information. The reading list is excellent and really enhances your learning. It certainly has been an eye-opener to see how well things can be delivered online”
- Jemma
At the end of the course, you will have:
A level 3 forest school qualification so long as you do the portfolio work
Run a pilot programme of six sessions with your target group
A range of practical skills, including being able to use tools and light and manage fires safely
A bank of activities that you can use in your sessions
A solid grasp of all of the paperwork that’s needed in order to run successful and safe sessions
An understanding of how people truly learn (clue, it’s not how it’s done in schools) and how to put this into practice
A deeper connection to our environment
An awesome network of diverse yet like-minded people from all over the world. Your Go Wild Tribe!
↟ Course Curriculum ↟
Level 3 Forest school Course content includes:
Learning the ethos of forest school and what this looks like in practice
An introduction to the woodland environment and how to care for it
Flora and fauna identification skills
All you need to know about the health and safety element of running forest school, including risk assessments and safe use of tools and fire
An overview of learning theories relevant to forest school and how to put these into practice
Ideas of activities and crafts that you can use in your sessions
Examples from my own experience
Forever access to my Go Wild Level 3 support group on Facebook
Ongoing individual support whilst writing your portfolio plus lots more
Reading List:
If you like books, these brilliant books complement the course perfectly. It’s not compulsory, but if you want to buy one or more you can do so here (affiliate link). You can also find them at other retailers and secondhand.
What you get when you join Go Wild Level 3 Forest School Training:
Instant Access
Access to 300+ video tutorials
Written resources and templates
Videos have captions/subtitles
Online course study guide
Activities + tasks to carry out in real life
Personal approach to learning and support
Access to active, private Facebook group
Dedicated messaging app to connect with other course students
What you will be required to do:
↟ Watch the online videos then go outside and put it into practice
↟ Complete a portfolio of evidence which will involve written and video skills
↟ Demonstrate you understand the theories that underpin forest school and what they look like in practice
↟ Show that you understand how to carry out risk assessments and other planning and paperwork tasks, including compiling a forest school handbook of policies and procedures
↟ Run a pilot programme of 6 sessions with a group of your choosing
↟ Demonstrate your practical skills by making short videos (on your phone is great)
Workshops 2024
You can choose your workshop date when you book. Workshops take place in the Wye Valley Sculpture Garden in Tintern, NP16 7NX.
Workshop Dates for 2024. Choose from:
April 1 - 5th [SOLD OUT]
June 17 - 21st
July 22 - 26th
What people are saying about the workshops
“I felt compelled to thank you so much for the best 5 days I've had in ages, for the inspiration and hope it provided. You’re really wonderful at what you do!”
— Lisa
“Thanks for an amazing week! Truly wonderful. A fun and great bunch of people and you and your team guided us so well, in a beautiful setting… I have so much gratitude.”
— Alex
“Thank you so much for being a major catalyst - it was by far the most life affirming, inspiring and fun CPD I have had in over 20 years. Wish I done it sooner. ”
— Ginny
Join Now!
Available Workshop Dates for 2024: April 1 - 5th, June 17 - 21st, July 22 - 26th
If you would prefer an invoice please click here and fill in the form.
At checkout you can choose whether to pay in full or choose a payment plan of 6 monthly instalments. I don’t charge any fees for paying in instalments.
Please make sure that you have read my Terms and Conditions before you sign up to a course. Course cost includes registration fee paid to Open Awards. No refunds are given outside of your statutory rights. Payment plans are automatically processed on the same day that you sign up (i.e. 5th of every month if you join on the 5th) over consecutive months. This course is eligible for PayPal Credit. When at checkout, choose Paypal as your payment method and choose PayPal credit.
I’m confident that this is an amazing course. So much so that I offer a money-back guarantee. If, within 14 days (or less), you don’t want to continue with the course, I’ll refund your money.
"Just to say thanks a million for this lovely course. I am reflecting and I realise that this course is serving so much more than a forest school practitioner grade. You are the most amazing and ever so level-headed and well-balanced course leader. Always ‘sensing’ perfectly what would serve everyone’s best interest for progress and wellbeing"
- Claudia
“Ahhhhh it's just been wonderful! I have never felt so at home around such a unique set of individuals. It brought out the best of me and did it with ease! Thank you so bloody much!”
- Liam
"I really appreciate and value everything the forest school training has taught me. It has given me the confidence that I can provide a professional programme and greatly improved my skillset and understanding. I have made key contacts who continue to support me in my work, making me feel less isolated. It has also given me access to further training and skill sharing events which makes me confident that my practice will only ever improve."
- Rebecca
↟Is this course right for you?↟
This course is for you if you:
Want a fully accredited, internationally recognised, level 3 qualification
Are open minded, willing to try new things and shift your current mindset
Can commit to approximately 180 hours of self-directed study over the course of about 18 months (maximum)
Have access to a group of people who you can run 6 forest school sessions with. They don’t have to be in a school setting or even be children!
Be willing to get a criminal record check(DBS or equivalent). I also recommend that you get a 16-hour, outdoor first aid qualification (although this is not mandatory)
Have basic tech skills
This course isn’t for you if you:
Are resistant to online learning or are incompetent with technology
Want an easy option and a jolly in the woods eating marshmallows and sitting by a campfire (although you can do all that, it’s just not an ‘easy’ option!)
Are happy with the status quo and like they way you already teach, thank you very much
Want curriculum-linked lesson ideas (although you can link retrospectively)
Are under 21. You won’t be able to qualify unless you’re 21 or over, although you can start at 19.
Struggle to understand a British accent (although all videos have subtitles!)
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Anyone who is interested in working outdoors, in all weathers, with a learner-led approach. If you’re a teacher, educator, parent, youth worker, equine therapist, in fact, any adult human-being who wants to get outside and learn a new way of being then this course is for you. You’ll have to work hard, but I promise it’ll be worth it.
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No! As well as having run my forest school sessions in mainstream schools I specialise in teaching other groups including teenagers at risk of exclusion, children with Special Educational Needs such as speech and language delay, hearing impaired, adults recovering from alcohol misuse and many more. I pass on as much of my knowledge and experience to you as I can and I'm always on-hand to offer advice about your own groups.
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You start online, where you can begin to understand the theories and practices that are involved in forest school. You can start this at any time and progress at your own pace. You will be expected to go outside and give things a go! If you opt for a workshop, you come and join me for 5-days in the Wye Valley. You will have to have completed some self-study beforehand
FAQs
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Yes! If you complete your portfolio to the required standard you will get a level 3 forest school qualification by doing this course and will be able to run your own sessions and call it ‘forest school’. The course is accredited by Open Awards.
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Definitely! The online course has been developed so that you can access it from anywhere in the world. I have qualified students in America, Australia, Spain, Poland and Denmark. I’ve adapted the training to include information about temperate woodlands in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. My team and I will support you to adapt your forest school to the culture and climate that you work in. All of your portfolio work must be written/presented in English.
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You will have 18 months’ access to the course and resources. You must submit your portfolio within this time to get the qualification.
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No! The levels refer to academic levels rather than the order that you need to do things in. You can go straight to level 3.
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You’re not alone! Plenty of people run forest school sessions without much access to green space. You will still be able to run activities following the forest school ethos. You may have to improvise or get creative with resources, but many people gain their qualification in such surroundings.
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You can access the online portal from your mobile phone, but it definitely works better on a computer. I recommend a computer if at all possible. You will also need to complete written assignments so will need access to a computer for this.
Maybe you're thinking...
I don't have enough time
The course is self-paced so you can work at it as and when you have time. We don’t chase you with deadlines (unless you ask us to).
You’re a grown-up and you know how your life works. You do what’s best for you and we’ll support you along the way.
You’ll also have support from a great community of people from all over the world.
This is a big investment
It feels like a big investment, because it is. I truly believe that you need to invest in yourself if you want to achieve your goals. It was a big investment for me when I did my forest school training and I’ve never regretted it, not once.
Remember, this course is the start of your journey and it will pay for itself many times over.
Will I be able to do this?
You can do it! And we’ll support you. I’m used to training people with no experience and supporting you along the way.
I’ve made the course as accessible as possible and we’re open to different types of assessment such as videos, voice recordings and more. Videos are subtitled/captioned and I’m working on making an audio recording of all the written course material.
Here's what happens when you join:
You'll receive an email from me welcoming you to the course and giving you your login details
You get immediate access to all course materials so that you can get started right away
If you’ve signed up to a workshop you will see everything you need to know about that when you login
Click the images below to find out more about your forest school training:
Start your forest school adventure today!
If you've read this far, I have a feeling this course is exactly what you need. So don't second guess yourself.
If you're worried you're not ready yet, or aren't 100% convinced Go Wild Level 3 Forest School Training is the perfect fit - give me a shout at hello@gowildeducation.co.uk.
I'll be totally honest about whether I think this course will help you with your adventures.