Level 2
Forest School Assistant Course
Course Overview
This course provides trainees with an understanding of the forest school ethos and practice. Trainees learn the practical skills required to assist with the delivery of forest school sessions, as well as some of the theoretical understandings to embody a holistic approach to supporting development.
The Level 2 Forest School Assistant course is best for professionals who want to be involved in the delivery of forest school sessions and work with or can partner with a Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification.
In our training programme specifically, we want to highlight how the forest school practice can be applied within early years settings, providing opportunities throughout the training to consider how to approach practical skills with different ages and abilities and how to align the forest school approach with the statutory framework, such as the Early Year Foundation Stage (EYFS).
This course does not allow you to run forest school sessions completely on your own, which is why we recommend the Level 2 Forest School Assistant course to trainees who work with a qualified Level 3 Forest School Leader.
Learners who complete this Level 2 course can continue their professional development with the Level 3 Forest School Leader training.
Course Flow
In-Person Training Week
Begin to understand the Forest School approach and learn the practical skills required as a Forest School Assistant.
4 days
Independent Work
Complete coursework through the online classroom to meet the assessment criteria for the course.
Monthly group video call sessions held to go through specific course material.
6 months
In-Person Practical Assessment
2 days
Demonstrate practical skills and reflect on the Forest School journey.
After completing all coursework, the online portfolio of evidence is submitted for review by internal and external quality assurers. We expect trainees to reach this stage around 6 months from beginning the course.
Submit Completed Portfolio
Receive Qualification
Awarded by iTC First.
Training Days
4 in-person training days (Tuesday to Friday) from 9am to 5pm each day.
These sessions are located in Sheffield.
During the training days, participants will learn about the forest school ethos, a holistic approach to child development, introduction into play theory, and practical skills including, but not limited to:
Fire lighting, maintaining and extinguishing
Tool work
Knot tying
Tarpaulin shelter building
Nature crafts
Flora and fauna identification
We try to structure the four days to allow trainees an opportunity to learn the value of the forest school approach by experiencing it themselves. We utilise play and reflective time to help solidify the concepts and practice we teach on this course.
Group video call sessions
After the initial training days, we will connect as a group six times throughout the next six months during one-hour group video-call sessions. These sessions usually take place in the evenings from 7:30pm to 8:30pm.
During these sessions we will cover the upcoming portfolio assignments, going into further detail about the assignment requirements and answer any questions trainees may have.
Each session is recorded and uploaded to the online portfolio system for trainees to refer back to while working or to catch up on if they are unable to attend a session.
Individual video call sessions
We allocate two hours of one-to-one video call sessions for trainees to speak directly to tutors about any questions they have or help they may need on a specific assignment.
Additional Support
Trainees are encouraged to reach out to tutors with any questions they have at any time throughout the course. They are able to contact tutors via email or add comments within the online portfolio system.
Tutors will strive to mark submitted assignments as soon as possible, providing feedback to trainees about their work to ensure all trainees are successful in the completion of this course.
Email address: thenatureboxtraininghub@gmail.com
Practical Assessment
Around six months from the initial training week, the group will come back together for a two-day practical assessment and course conclusion.
These days your in-person in Sheffield.
Expected trainee independent working time
Between the initial training week and the practical assessment, trainees are required to complete assignments through an online portfolio. These assignments cover both the theoretical and some practical elements of quality forest school practice.
To help space out the workload, we assign one assignment roughly every two weeks. These assignments range in the time required to complete the work.
There is opportunity during the training week to complete elements of the online portfolio to help ease the workload in trainee’s own time. We recognise that lives are busy and continue to work to find ways to minimise the coursework.
Apply Now
There are a maximum of 12 places available on each course.
Be sure to register as soon as possible!