What is Forest School?
Forest School is an approach to learning that aims to build children's self-esteem, self-belief and self-confidence. It supports children in their independence, persistence, resilience and ability to take responsibility. Sessions often have a connection to the natural environment, taking place in the outdoors and woodlands. Whilst many activities are child-led, practitioners and teaching staff take the role of facilitators, to support and enable children in their own learning and development.
Forest School has taken place in many guises throughout history. In more recent times since the mid-20th Century the approach became more integral in Scandinavian education. In 1995 a team from Bridgwater College, Somerset, UK went to Denmark to understand more through an exchange visit. Bridgwater College brought the concept back to the UK and established Forest School activities in their onsite nursery as well as starting the first Forest School training qualifications. Since that time the Forest School approach is more commonplace throughout UK and spreading to countries throughout the world.
Forest School has taken place in many guises throughout history. In more recent times since the mid-20th Century the approach became more integral in Scandinavian education. In 1995 a team from Bridgwater College, Somerset, UK went to Denmark to understand more through an exchange visit. Bridgwater College brought the concept back to the UK and established Forest School activities in their onsite nursery as well as starting the first Forest School training qualifications. Since that time the Forest School approach is more commonplace throughout UK and spreading to countries throughout the world.
What is a Forest School Leader?
A Forest School Leader is someone who has an OFQUAL registered Level 3 qualification in Forest School. They should have the ability to lead Forest School sessions for groups of children in the outdoors. This includes managing all the aspects of running sessions such as planning, risk assessments, insurances, learning outcomes, resources and so on.
Forest School Leaders work in Early Years settings, Schools and other group settings. Forest School Leaders typically work as members of a team within a setting, or as independent providers, often running their own businesses.
Forest School Leaders work in Early Years settings, Schools and other group settings. Forest School Leaders typically work as members of a team within a setting, or as independent providers, often running their own businesses.
How much do Forest School Leaders earn?
Like many jobs and careers, earning potential relates to roles and responsibilities as well as the financial success of the employing organisation. Some Forest School Leaders are employees in Early Years settings, some are support staff or teaching staff in schools. In such cases the earning potential relates to the core role of the individual and pay scales. However it would seem reasonable to have pay that reflects experience, skills and capability as well as contribution to the organisation. Some organisations are Government funded and some are funded through building a customer base, each having an impact on availability of funding. Furthermore market forces impact the employability of staff and pay relates to the 'going rate' in order to retain and attract staff.
Self employed Forest School Leaders can be highly successful, establishing profitable businesses including multiple sites and staff, as well as smaller businesses earning main household incomes or earning supporting household incomes. This is dependent on ambition. Running a business requires an effective mix of financial considerations of investment, fixed costs, variable costs, sales and cashflow, as well as broader business considerations of marketing, communications, systems and processes.
Self employed Forest School Leaders can be highly successful, establishing profitable businesses including multiple sites and staff, as well as smaller businesses earning main household incomes or earning supporting household incomes. This is dependent on ambition. Running a business requires an effective mix of financial considerations of investment, fixed costs, variable costs, sales and cashflow, as well as broader business considerations of marketing, communications, systems and processes.
How does the online course compare to the in-person course?
Since COVID-19 and long periods of lockdowns, society has been forced to be creative and find flexible approaches to getting things done. Often this flexibility can mean that more can be achieved.
Our online Forest School courses have identical course content to our in-person courses. In fact the same online course material is provided to the in-person course students too. Both approaches also achieve the same, identical qualification through achievement of the same course requirements. Whichever approach you choose you will still be required to carry out some real forest school sessions in your setting, where you can reflect as part of your learning process.
So how to decide the course approach? Consider the following factors:
We have a mix of students, some fully online and some in-person (who then use the same online material to complete the course assignments). It is really a matter of what suits your learning style and personal needs.
Our online Forest School courses have identical course content to our in-person courses. In fact the same online course material is provided to the in-person course students too. Both approaches also achieve the same, identical qualification through achievement of the same course requirements. Whichever approach you choose you will still be required to carry out some real forest school sessions in your setting, where you can reflect as part of your learning process.
So how to decide the course approach? Consider the following factors:
- Do you already have experience working with children?
- Do you already have experience of nature and the outdoors?
- Does your available time support the in-person session dates?
- Does your home location support travel to the in-person sessions?
- Do you want face-to-face activities and discussions in addition to the course content? Note: whichever path you choose we are very happy to discuss any aspect of forest school and your learning throughout the course.
We have a mix of students, some fully online and some in-person (who then use the same online material to complete the course assignments). It is really a matter of what suits your learning style and personal needs.