Forest School Training

Designed to develop leadership, facilitation, and practical skills to understand and implement the principles and ethos of Forest School.

Stay tuned for 2027 registration.

Presented by MaineECO in partnership with Under The Hazels.


Endorsed by the Forest School Association.

Course Work

Unit 1: Forest School programme delivery (pilot): plan, evaluate and reflect on six pilot sessions; weekly observation of three participants; summative evaluation.

Unit 2: Learning and development: learning theories; holistic development; play; building community; encouraging expected behaviour and reflections on your personal development.

Unit 3: Planning and preparation: the development of Forest School; research on the benefits of Forest School; ecological impact and three-year plan for sustainability; policies and procedures for best practice; benefit risk assessments; the role of the Forest School Leader and the first plan of your ‘introduction to Forest School programme’ (pilot).

Unit 4: Practical skills: knots; knives; drills; saws; shelters and dens; campfire building and campfire cooking; how to clean, store and maintain tools and ropes. These are skills for yourself and how to safely apply them in practice with participants.

Unit 5: Woodland management: comparison of broadleaved and coniferous woodlands; identify flora and fauna on your own Forest School site; sustainable woodland management techniques; research on the importance of nature connection; how to build nature connection.

Most of the evidence for Units 2-5 is completed during the 9-day in-person training and the 7.5 hour online session. Unit 1 (the 6 week pilot program) must be completed AFTER the in-person training.

Full support, practice and templates are provided during the training so you will be confident to complete this independently.

If you already work in a setting with children that has an outdoor space, the training can be finished in 2-3 months after the in-person training. Otherwise, it may take 9 months to a year as you will need to arrange your 6-week pilot program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Participant Testimonials

Forest School Training Featured in Lincoln County News. Read the Full Article.

“Life changing, I learned leadership skills to safely bring children into nature and sustain joy in myself.”

2025 Participant

“Transcendent - an experience you will hold near and dear for the rest of your life. A holistic approach to training that transcends.”

2025 Participant

“I loved this experience. It was exactly what I did not know I needed.”

2025 Participant