How to choose a Forest School trainer

Forest School training can be a deeply reflective and transformative process, so it is worth identifying a trainer with whom you gel well. It is also important to acknowledge that the quality of the training you receive, the type of qualification you end up with, and the level of ongoing support that is available all vary hugely in the UK. FSA Endorsed Forest School Trainers have all been through a rigorous, three-stage quality assurance process, are able to demonstrate that they meet a variety of high standards, and are committed to reflective, ongoing professional development. You can find a map of FSA Endorsed Forest School Trainers on the FSA website.

The following checklist includes a variety of questions that you may wish to ask about a potential trainer. Though many of these answers will be found on the trainer’s website, we would still encourage you to have a conversation with them. There are also a few reflective questions to consider once you have gathered the information.

Introduction

The FSA only recognises certain Level 3 Forest School qualifications, so if you or your setting might wish to become an FSA Recognised Forest School Provider in the future, you need to choose a trainer who offers an FSA recognised qualification. All FSA Endorsed Forest School Trainers offer a Level 3 qualification that we recognise. There is also an up-to-date list on the FSA website that details all of the Awarding Organisations currently supported by the FSA and the qualifications.

We advocate researching different trainers carefully, exploring their websites and social media, and having conversations with a couple before coming to a decision. Different training approaches will work for different people, and different trainers have experience working with different client groups (see the section on ‘Which client group do you want to work with?’ in the FSA book).

Questions about the training and the course structure

Your research about or conversation with a potential trainer might explore a variety of questions about the training course, such as:

What does the training cover?
Does the course include First Aid training with paediatric and outdoor elements?
Do I get a recognised certificated award, and from which awarding body?
How long have you facilitated Forest School training specifically?
How do you model the Forest School ethos and principles in your training?
What format do your training courses take? Intensive weeks? Weekends once per month? Days spread over a year?
What type of venue is used?
How much of the content is delivered outdoors?
How much does the course cost?
Where does the course take place?
If you require overnight accommodation, what are the local options?

Finding out more about your trainer

You may also want to find out about the trainer themselves, so may wish to explore a variety of questions such as:

What experience and/or qualifications do you have relating to ecology and conservation management?
Do you have past and current experience of facilitating Forest School yourself? With which client groups?
Do you have experience of working with my chosen client group?
What sorts of CPD have you been involved in recently yourself?
How long have you been training educators?
Have you recently visited a setting like mine that facilitates Forest School?
Are you connected to any national organisations?
Are you connected to a local Forest School network through which I can access ongoing support and CPD?
What Level 4 or equivalent training qualification do you hold?
What is your own area of interest within the practical skills: fire, tools and/or woodland management?
How many Level 3s do you train each year? What proportion complete the course? What proportion pass the qualification?
How can you cater for my particular learning requirement (if relevant)?
How do you support students outside of the face-to-face days with you?
What equipment do I need to have? What equipment is provided?
Do you have your own Public Liability Insurance and Professional Indemnity Insurance in place?

Talking to other trainees

One other potentially illuminating way to research who to train with is to speak with other Level 3 Forest School leaders who trained with different people; ask them about their own training experience, perhaps using questions such as:

Do you feel your training prepared you well for the role of Forest School leader?
What was the learning environment like?
How many days did you spend face-to-face with the trainer in the woods?
What personal qualities did the trainer bring to the course?
How did you feel after a day of training?
Was your training fun?
Was your training challenging? In which ways?
How have your perspectives altered as a result of the training?
Did you feel supported during the course and do you still feel supported post-qualification?

Reflecting on your findings

Following your conversation with a potential trainer you might like to take some time to reflect using the following questions: