Forest School Training Level 2 Upgrade Session Scheduled for November 2025
Suffolk Wildlife Trust has announced a Level 3 Forest School Leader Top-Up course, designed to deepen the practical, leadership, and teaching skills developed at Level 2. This intensive five-day outdoor training aligns with the last half of the full Level 3 course and requires prior Level 2 certification within 18 months.
Course Details
The course, certified by AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group, takes place at the picturesque Bradfield Woods National Nature Reserve, Suffolk, from September 19-21, 2025, and October 25-26, 2025. The cost is £1199, with an option to pay in instalments (full payment must be made before the course start date). An exclusive discount applies if Level 2 was completed with Suffolk Wildlife Trust within 18 months.
The course is facilitated by Forest School Association (FSA) Registered Forest School Trainers and covers Forest School programme delivery, learning and development, planning and preparation, practical skills, and woodland environment through outdoor, face-to-face training.
Course Requirements
Participants must hold a First Aid certificate before delivering Forest School. A 16-hour First Aid with an outdoor element is recommended. Participants should bring a packed lunch, suitable outdoor clothing, stout shoes or boots, a camera for recording activities, and a copy of their Forest School Level 2 Assistant certificate on the first day of the course.
Coursework Portfolio
Participants must complete a portfolio within 12 months, involving additional study. The portfolio is divided into five units with specific hand-in dates: Practical Skills, Planning and Preparation, Woodland Environment, Delivery, and Learning and Development. Exact hand-in dates for these units are provided during the course and spread over 12 months.
As part of the course, participants are required to plan and deliver an assessed six-week Forest School programme to demonstrate leadership and facilitation skills.
Eligibility and Participant Guidelines
The course is aimed at individuals who wish to top up their Level 2 Forest School Assistant qualification and lead a Forest School programme as a Level 3 Forest School Leader. Participants must be over 21, currently assisting at Forest School, or have very recent experience of doing so. Dogs on a lead are permitted on the red trail only at the event location.
People with limited mobility should contact the organizer in advance. The course time is 9:30am - 5:30pm each day, with the exception of day 4 where the end time will be 8pm. Participants are required to read and agree to the terms and conditions and Learner Agreement before booking.
Location and Additional Information
The event is a five-day course held at Foxburrow Nature Reserve, IP12 1NA. Hot drinks, all required paperwork, and all tools and equipment for the outdoor tasks will be provided. For more conservation jobs and courses, see www.environmentjob.co.uk.
[1] Suffolk Wildlife Trust (2023). Level 3 Forest School Leader Top-Up Course. [Online] Available at: https://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/get-involved/learning/forest-school-training
[2] Forest School Association (2023). Level 3 Forest School Leader Top-Up Course. [Online] Available at: https://www.forestschoolassociation.org/training/level-3-forest-school-leader-top-up-course/
This Level 3 Forest School Leader Top-Up course, offered by Suffolk Wildlife Trust, is an excellent opportunity for personal growth and education-and-self-development, as it focuses on personal-growth through practical, leadership, and teaching skills in a forest school setting. The learning experience includes a course at the picturesque Bradfield Woods National Nature Reserve, which covers various aspects of Forest School programme delivery, planning, practical skills, and woodland environment. Furthermore, successful participants will be equipped to lead a Forest School as a Level 3 Forest School Leader upon completion.
