Suffolk Wildlife Trust Forest School Training Level 2>3 Top Up (June 2025)

The Level 2 to Level 3 top up qualification is a way for Forest School Level 2 Assistants to upgrade their existing qualification. Due to the requirements of the Level 3 course, this course is not suitable for all candidates.

Location: Foxburrow Nature Reserve, IP12 1NA

Dates:
12th-14th June 2025
8th-9th July 2025 (with optional overnight stay in the woods on Saturday night)

Times: 9.30am-5:30pm

Practicing Forest School leaders require 16 hour first aid (this corresponds to Forest School Association guidance for Forest School Leaders). We offer this training for an additional £200, please see website for dates (www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/cpd)

A support visit will also be provided for participants based in Suffolk. Out of county learners will be required to provide video evidence of their pilot study.

Entry criteria:

Minimum age 21

There is an assumption that you are either currently assisting at Forest School, or have very recent experience of doing so.

You are required to provide a copy of your Forest School Level 2 Assistant certificate and your Level 2 workbook.

If you have completed Level 2 training with Suffolk Wildlife Trust you will need to complete a pre-course workbook prior to starting the course.

If you have completed your Level 2 with a different provider you will need to submit this as part of your Level 3 qualification. This will allow us to highlight any additional information you may need to hand in prior to the course. This also allows us to meet AIM qualifications standards and for you to meet the level of the other students you will be joining on the training.

If you have completed your Level 2 prior to 2016 please contact us as the Level 2 criteria has been updated in that time frame.

All participants must demonstrate that they are in a position to deliver a six session Forest School pilot programme during their training.

All participants must hold a First Aid certificate before delivering Forest School. A 16-hour First Aid with an outdoor element is recommended.

Cost: £785 / £985 with First Aid

Option to pay in instalments available but the course must be paid for in full before the start date.

Course layout:

Five days of training to cover Forest School programme delivery, learning and development, planning and preparation, practical skills and the woodland environment. This is an outdoor course. A coursework portfolio should be completed within 12 months of the start of the course, this will involve a lot of additional study time. As part of the course you will be required to plan and deliver an assessed six week Forest School programme.

Course content:

The Level 3 top up course is designed to develop leadership, facilitation, practical and teaching skills to enable participants to understand the principles and ethos of Forest School and to plan and deliver Forest School programmes. We will build on your Level 2 practical skills and experience, going more in depth and demonstrating lots of practical uses.

The course consists of five units, click here to download the assessment criteria and learning outcomes for each unit.

Practical Skills
Learning and Development
Planning and Preparation
Woodland Environment
Delivery

What will I need for the course?

Please make sure you bring the following with you each day:

• Packed lunch, cup and snacks
• Suitable outdoor clothing for the weather conditions (trousers, not shorts)
• Stout shoes or boots. Please do not wear sandals.
• A camera can be useful for recording some of the activities.

We will provide:

• Tea and coffee
• All required paperwork
• All tools and equipment for the outdoor tasks (N.B. For a variety of reasons we would ask you not to bring your own tools)

If you are a school or other organisation wishing to book your place via invoice please complete the online booking form here.

Please ensure you have read and agree to the terms and conditions and Learner Agreement before booking. Our Diversity and Access policy, Students complaints and appeals procedures are also available as links within the Terms & Conditions.

For more conservation jobs and courses please see www.environmentjob.co.uk