Frequently asked questions

Here at Green Planet Forest School we are a Centre of Excellence and experts in Forest School & Outdoor Learning. The Green Planet Academy shapes and influences future leaders of Forest School through our Forest School Leader training courses. We are Cambium Associate Trainers and our courses are recognised by the Forest School Association and the Institute for Outdoor Learning. PLUS…. Unlike other trainers, we run our training Academy alongside our Forest School provision of exciting term time Forest School sessions, After School Clubs, Holiday Clubs and Alternative Provision sessions across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Northamptonshire. Which means uniquely, you will have the opportunity as part of your course to observe first hand Forest School lessons being run, plus experience other clubs too should you wish. Not only this, you will have access to our deep and profound knowledge of Forest School; our extensive knowledge and understanding of running sessions and clubs; a wide variety of settings types and locations both in and out of school environments; developing existing sites and setting up sites, quite literally, from the mud up; working with children of all ages and abilities as well as children with a wide range of SEND and SEMH needs - a truly unique offering which means far greater benefit and invaluable experience for you.

Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It is a long-term program that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting. Forest School has a developmental ethos shared by thousands of trained practitioners around the world, who are constantly developing their learning styles and skills to support new and imaginative learners. Its roots reach back to the open-air culture, friluftsliv, or free air life, seen as a way of life in Scandinavia where Forest School began. It arrived in the UK in 1993 and has grown from strength to strength since then. Learn more here.(https://forestschoolassociation.org/what-is-forest-school/)

Forest School is defined by 6 core principles, which were agreed by the Forest School community in 2011. These pre-date the Forest School Association, which was set up in 2012 to support and advocate for these principles. The principles are underpinned by criteria. The FSA has used these as a basis for a set of national professional standards that we can all aspire to. In Forest School no single principle takes precedence over the others; instead, they work harmoniously, interlocking to create a unique environment for learning and growth. This is why we hope that everyone will ensure that all six principles are expressed throughout Forest School sessions. Learn more about the full principles here.(https://forestschoolassociation.org/full-principles-and-criteria-for-good-practice/)

A great Forest School leader combines deep passion for nature with strong facilitation skills, fostering child-led discovery in a safe, stimulating outdoor environment. They are adaptable, observant, patient, and committed to ongoing learning, acting as guardians of children's freedom to explore and grow. Key Qualities: • Passion & Enthusiasm: Genuine love for the outdoors, nature connectivity and child development • Deep Environmental Knowledge: Understanding local flora, fauna, and ecological patterns. You do not need this to begin with it will become a part of your own journey • Facilitation: Guiding rather than directing, creating space for play, problem-solving, and independence • Adaptability: Responding creatively to unpredictable nature and children's evolving needs • Observation & Reflection: Recording learning, reflecting on practice, and learning from children • Safety & Risk Management: Proficient in risk/benefit analysis, first aid, and emergency procedures. Again this will become a part of your journey • Resilience & Humor: Ability to "have a go," stay positive, and navigate challenges • Communication: Liaising effectively with children, parents, staff, and management • Ecological Stewardship: Managing the site sustainably, minimising impact

• Relevant Level 2 Qualification or appropriate experience in education, youth work, childcare etc • Established link with a group and a potential Forest School Site • 18 years or over Before undertaking the Level 3 Forest School course, you are strongly advised to achieve a suitable First Aid Qualification and hold a current DBS certificate. This is the responsibility of the individual setting or participant. Contact us for more information about DBS if you do not have one.

You can expect it to take between 9 -12 months, and this will vary from person to person depending on the time you take to complete the portfolio of work required and arrange an assessment of your own Forest School session delivery. The course involves: 1. In-person practical training days x8 (the course dates as listed) 2. A portfolio of work that the learner needs to complete and submit for marking (you will start this during your in-person days) and then can work through this remotely at your own pace 3. Planning and delivering a course of 6 Forest School sessions at your own setting 4. An assessment carried out by us of you delivering one of the above Forest School sessions at your own setting (if you don’t have your own setting see below) You will be able to begin practicing Forest School once you have completed some of the portfolio units, but will not be signed off as a Level 3 Forest School Leader until all 3 steps above have been successfully completed.

Yes, you will need an Enhanced certificate with a check of the barred lists, dated within 3 years at the time the course starts. Applicants can’t do a standard or enhanced check on themselves (only a basic check) therefore you will need to get your employer to carry out a disclosure check if you do not already have a recent certificate or are not part of the Update Service. If your employer is not able to carry out a check, or you are not currently in employment, please let us know as soon as possible as we can arrange this for you - please note: checks can sometimes take up to 4-8 weeks so it is important to arrange this in plenty of time before your start date. The cost for us to arrange this for you is usually around £75-80 which includes the disclosure check fee and admin fee, please contact us to discuss your requirements. You can find out more about the DBS check process and Update Service here: DBS checks: detailed guidance - GOV.UK(https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dbs-checking-service-guidance--2)

Great news… for the 8 days of practical training, none! We will make available any tools you might need for this part. However, you will need tools and resources when you begin delivering your own sessions, so it would be really beneficial if you had some of these ready for the course, so that you can learn how to use your own equipment during the training days. Before your course starts, included in your joining instructions will be a detailed list of anything you may need for your own kit and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

We aim to deliver 100% of our practical training days outdoors at our Forest School training site. The only time we may have to go inside would be due to extreme or unsafe weather conditions such as a strong gale or electrical storm. For the portfolio work you will need to do, you can do that anywhere you can take your laptop!

The practical days usually run from around 09:30-16:30. Exact details will be in your joining instructions email.

We run our courses from our bespoke training site in central Buckingham. This is an extension of one of our school sites where we deliver curriculum time sessions, afterschool clubs and holiday clubs. Exact details will be in your joining instructions email.

Green Planet are recognised and accredited Cambium Associate Trainers. Cambium is an approved qualifications centre for Agored Cymru and an accredited training provider delivering IOL and FSA recognised courses in Forest School. Cambium act as our IQA (Internal Quality Assurer) ensuring our assessment standards are met by monitoring assessors, sampling work, and maintaining fairness/consistency in judging learner performance. They provide us with support and guidance, and we currently use their booking system for ease of administration.

Yes absolutely! As mentioned above, unlike other trainers, we run our training Academy alongside our Forest School provision therefore uniquely, you will have the opportunity as part of your course to observe Forest School sessions being run first hand, plus experience other clubs with us too should you wish.

You will need access to a small learner group and a wooded site to run your initial 6 Forest School sessions. This needs to be the same group over the 6 sessions and the group size must be no larger than 16. We may be able to provide the unique opportunity for you to use one of our sites for you to provide your initial 6 session delivery programme. Please contact us before you book if you might require this facility so that we can discuss the options and check availability.

Do not worry! Unlike many other trainers, because we run our training academy alongside our Forest School provision, we may be able to provide the unique opportunity for you to use one of our sites for you to provide your initial 6 week/session delivery programme, which is a prerequisite for your qualification. Please contact us before you book if you might require this facility so that we can discuss the options and check availability.

Yes, you actually have to as it is a prerequisite part of your course. You need to plan and deliver a series of 6 sessions with the same group, your work on this and your delivery itself will be assessed by your Green Planet trainer and will count towards your qualification.

Yes, you can while you are training. However, if you do not complete your course you must not use the term Forest School. In addition to this, no person or entity may refer to any outdoor education, nature play, or other type of outdoor session or lesson as ‘Forest School’, unless the session is being delivered by a qualified Forest School leader and in accordance with the Forest School ethos and principles.