Start your journey as a Forest School Leader with an internationally recognised Level 3 qualification that lets you begin delivering sessions as soon as you finish the course.
At The Therapy Adventure, we’re proud to be the only therapist-led Forest School training provider in the UK - so from day one, you’ll be learning with a strong focus on mental health and inclusive practice.
Our next practical weekend takes place on 11th and 12th October in Manchester but you can enrol today get started straight away or choose our fully online option and enrol now!
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We’re proud to say that we currently have a 100% pass rate.
That’s because our learners are well supported - not rushed, not left waiting, and never expected to figure things out alone. From the moment you enrol, you’re met with clear guidance and consistent, personal feedback.
We know many of our learners are balancing work and family, so we’ve designed this course to be as manageable and supportive as possible.
You’ll follow a clear structure, but you won’t be rushed. You’ll have time to complete your portfolio in a way that works for you, with guidance throughout.
To our knowledge, this is the only Forest School Leader training in the UK led by therapists.
You’ll leave with a full Level 3 qualification, but one that’s grounded in a deeper understanding of mental health and inclusion.
We also include certification in Mental Health and Inclusive Practice as standard, giving you practical tools to support children with anxiety, trauma, or additional needs.
You can get started from just £75 per month, with a simple 12-month payment plan available to all learners. There are no credit checks, no interest, and no complicated application process - just choose the plan at checkout.
The full cost of the course is £897 (£747.5 plus VAT)
You’ll receive the full Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification, plus certification in Mental Health and Inclusive Practice, included at no extra cost.
Not sure if you're ready to become a Forest School Leader? Take our Forest School Leader Readiness Quiz to find out if it's right for you!
To become a Trainee Level 3 Forest School Leader, you must be 19+ (21+ to deliver Forest School).
You are also required to complete a 16 hour (2 day) Outdoor First Aid qualification in order to gain insurance as a Forest School Leader. This is not included in the Level 3 Forest School Leader training we provide but we can recommend providers - most courses cost between £100 and £200.
You will also need to a DBS check in order to practice as a Forest School Leader.
Welcome and Portfolio
The first section is all about welcoming you to your training, accessing our induction, understanding how the training works and what the portfolio will look like.
The portfolio consists of a number of activities in each unit, showing your understanding of applying your knowledge and skills as a Forest School Leader. You can complete these in many ways including writing, diagrams and bullet points, photos, videos and voicenotes, typed work, presentations and posters and more.
Unit 1: Forest School Programmes and the Woodland Environment
In this module, you'll learn more about the structures of woodlands, flora and fauna and understand sustainable management techniques. You'll complete 3 activities as part of this unit!
Support Unit: Planning your Placement
This unit supports you to select a placement, contact local Forest Schools or possible sites for delivery and provides you with a list of Forest Schools that you can contact from our network!
Support Unit: Risk Assessments
This live session and resources helps you understand and develop risk assessments for your sessions.
Unit 2: Practical Skills for a Forest School Programme
In this module, you'll learn the practical skills of delivering forest school. There are 6 small projects to complete as part of this unit from Shelter Building to using Hand Tools. You'll need to film yourself completing some aspects of the training.
Online, One Day or Two Days: Practical Skills Training
As part of the training, all students are able to access practical skills training. This is available:
Purely online, as part of Unit 2. If you choose online training, we encourage you to volunteer or shadow at a Forest School to benefit from practical support
One Day Confidence Building Practical Skill days. As part of Unit 2, you'll learn the practical skills, then you can join us in Manchester or Surrey for a day to build your confidence!
Two Day Practical Skill days. Join us in Manchester or Surrey to learn all the practical skills you need to be a confident Forest School Leader.
Unit 3: Learning and Development at a Forest School Programme
In this module, you'll learn relevant theories of learning and development and their application to a Forest School programme and understand the impact of behaviour on learning and development. There are 7 activities to complete in this unit and you can present them in any way you wish.
Unit 4: Planning a Forest School Programme
In this module, you'll more about planning and putting together your Forest School Programme. This includes creating your handbook, policies and risk assessments as well as planning your 6 sessions!
Unit 5: Delivery of a Forest School Programme
In this module, you'll deliver 6 Forest School Programme, reflect on them and evaluate your delivery.
Optional Accreditation - 6 CPD Hours: Mental Health and Inclusive Practice at Forest School
Mental Health and Inclusive Practice at Forest School equips Forest School leaders with essential training focused on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of all children, and creating a safe, inclusive environment for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
The course is delivered by Caspian Jamie, an Award Winning Speech and Language Therapist, and Dr Abigail Methley, a Clinical Psychologist, who provides invaluable insights and practical strategies to empower participants in creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all children.
Your First Six Months as a Forest School Leader
A new Forest School Leaders Support Pack including support from Forest School Leaders, checklists, games and activities and more.
Post-Qualification Support
Our Business Coach delivers two webinars for your further development - Career Planning as a Forest School Leader and Starting your own Forest School Business.
Monthly Support Drop Ins
Once a month, our team hold a drop in session where you can come along and get support with completing your Level 3 Forest School Leader training!
Peer Support: Facebook Group & Chat
All of our students have access to a community Facebook Group and chat so that you can share ideas, questions and gain support as you work through the qualification.
Support from our team
Our team are available via Whatsapp, Email and Phone throughout the training and beyond. This means you are able to get support when suits you.
There are 5 core units to complete during this course. These are delivered online via our self-paced learning platform. You can access these videos in your own time and watch them. Each video is accompanied by a transcript. You can also access all of the course content via audio streaming which connects to your podcast platform, this means you can listen on the go.
If you choose a Blended Option, you'll complete Unit 2 in-person the blended learning dates.
Alongside each unit, you'll have coursework to complete which will form your portfolio. We'll support you with this through templates, checklists and guides so you can complete it after each module.
You'll need to deliver 6 Forest School sessions. Don’t worry, you won’t be in this alone. We help you every step of the way, including arranging these sessions through the wonderful Therapeutic Forest network, with over 100 Forest Schools across the UK and abroad.
We'll also offer you the opportunity to join our in-person Confidence-Building day in Manchester & Surrey with our team. Furthermore, you can access our shadowing sessions with one of our 120 Forest School Leader partners across the UK to boost your confidence and knowledge.
You'll get access to a Facebook Group where you can connect with fellow students and support from our team.
We deliver additional content to help you specialise early on. As part of our core course we offer optional introductory extension units in Supporting Children with SEND and Supporting young people with Mental Health Needs. Once you’re a qualified Forest School Leader, you can enhance these skills by completing The Certificate in Therapeutic Skills for Outdoor Leaders. This extra study allows you to provide mental health and wellbeing support to children who may be restricted by typical therapeutic support options. We provide you with lots of post qualification support to make your career a success. From our Confidence Building bootcamp, an in person day to boost your confidence before leading your first solo session, to a Newly Qualified Forest School Leader’s Support pack packed full of ideas, activities and support
You'll need to complete a practical placement but don’t worry, you won’t be in this alone. We help you every step of the way, including arranging these sessions through the wonderful Therapeutic Forest network, with over 100 Forest Schools across the UK and abroad.
You can access our shadowing sessions with one of our 220 Forest School Leader partners across the UK to boost your confidence and knowledge.
Yes, you'll complete a portfolio via submitting written and video evidence as you go through the course.
You'll also need to complete a practical placement but don’t worry, you won’t be in this alone. We help you every step of the way, including arranging these sessions through the wonderful Therapeutic Forest network, with over 100 Forest Schools across the UK and abroad.
Upon completion and submission of your portfolio, you will receive your internationally recognised qualification and become a Level 3 Forest Schools Leader.
We provide high levels of support so you can complete your portfolio including guides, checklists, templates and more. We pride ourselves on tailoring our courses to make it accessible to all.
We pride ourselves on tailoring our courses to make it accessible to all.
From peer-to-peer sessions, video guides, checklists, templates, and tutor support, we have learning options that suit everyone’s learning style.
You can complete this course in your own time. On average, participants complete the course in 12 months alongside their other commitments. This makes it an easy option for those who wish to train while they are in a full-time occupation.
You can complete a fast-track version of this course completing it in 5-7 months.
If you wish to take longer and spread this course over an extended period of time, we can support you to do this.
We are not a member or affiliated with any specific association, including the Forest School Association.
We deliver the Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification with the awarding body Open Awards, regulated by OFQUAL. You can review the qualification we deliver here.
Upon completion, you will gain an internationally recognised qualification. Providing you have appropriate First Aid, you can immediately gain insurance and begin practicing as a Forest School Leader.
Although we do not deliver an FSA approved course, once you have completed your training, you will still be able to join the FSA as an Individual Member and access a range of benefits. However, you will not be eligible to become a Recognised Forest School Provider. Currently a very small proportion of UK Forest School Leaders are Registered Providers.
We frequently hear that retraining as a Forest School Leader is one of the best decisions individuals have ever made. The opportunity to work in the outdoors in beautiful surroundings in a meaningful role and see the progress children make, is incredibly valuable way to spend your days.
However, the process of retraining can seem scary. Life can be busy and fitting in a new qualification around other commitments can seem a challenge.
At The Therapy Adventure we support you to succeed. We help to make the process as straightforward as possible, by providing you with tools and templates to complete your qualification. We provide an exceptionally high level of support, with each step of the qualification broken down into baby steps which you can easily complete around your daily life.
You don't have to do it all in one go, take the next small step and pay just £67 to sign up for our online Level 3 Course (with monthly repayments of £67 for a further 11 months) or £75 to sign up for our blended Level 3 Course (with monthly repayments of £75 for a further 11 months). You can study alongside your existing commitments at whatever pace suits you, and receive a high level of tailored support from our team.
Studying online can allow for flexibility for those who can’t easily take an extended break from their responsibilities or those who need to pace themselves by studying in short bursts or watching material for a second time to build confidence.
Online courses can vary in quality and additional supports need to be put in place to ensure that learners are engaged and feel confident in practising as a Forest School Leader. At The Therapy Adventure our team are skilled in delivering high quality online courses and programmes.
We’ve worked hard to ensure that whether you join us in person or study online, that you’re receiving the same course content and, of course, the same qualification.
Our Blended option means you get the opportunity to study online, completing the units and portfolio around your own commitments but also benefit from 2 days of practical skills training in the woods. You don't need to decide until after you've enrolled.
Online students are invited to our Confidence Building Day: An optional day takes place in person and provides you with opportunities to practice skills like putting up a tarp or using tools.
Easy to navigate self-paced modules
Practical Challenges integrated into each section
Plenty of opportunities for group discussion with peers through online check ins, webinars and a friendly group of peers.
Opportunities to shadow a Forest School Leader near you through The Therapeutic Forest’s Approved Practitioner Network of more than 120 Forest School Leaders.
Want to find out more?
Branching Out! Into Forest School is all about the experience of becoming a Forest School Leader. You'll hear from Forest School Leaders and learn more about embarking on the journey of Forest School Leader training.