Forest Schools Leader - Level 3 - Self Guided Learning

Over 2500+ Happy Customers

Forest Schools Leader - Level 3 - Self Guided Learning

Designed to help you do meaningful work with children outdoors without putting your life on hold to qualify

Tax included.
£997.00
Places available. Book your spot today.
  • check Open Awards qualification recognised internationally
  • check Gain practical confidence with tools and fire
  • check Qualifies you to lead sessions independently
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1st April 2026

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DESCRIPTION

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Full Level 3 training delivered online, with the same methodology and mentor support as our face-to-face courses. Watch lessons when it suits you and complete your portfolio around your existing commitments.

HOW DOES IT WORK

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Sign up and start learning straight away. Complete on-demand modules, build your portfolio with mentor support, and attend live Q&A sessions whenever you need guidance. Once your portfolio is complete, you'll receive your internationally recognised Level 3 qualification.

Based on 1000s Of Reviews By Happy Customers

what people are saying...

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Ravi S.

"Left classroom teaching. Retrained. Never been happier. That's the review."

25 Jan 2026
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Nicola B.

"The difference in the children is remarkable. Quieter kids find their voice, anxious kids relax, and the 'challenging' ones? They just... thrive. Worth every penny of the training."

12 Nov 2025
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Emily R.

"I had a child who was selectively mute in class. After 3 forest school sessions he was chatting away. That's the power of this approach and this training taught me how to do it properly."

22 Sep 2025
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Tina K.

"Made redundant at 48. Did this course. Now self-employed running forest school for 4 local schools. Best thing that ever happened to me."

28 Aug 2025
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Daisy N.

"My head teacher observed one of my sessions last week and was blown away. This training works."

28 Jan 2026
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Claire D.

"I was counting down to every half term and dreading Monday mornings. Now I wake up excited about work. The online format meant I could train while still employed which made the transition so much less scary."

5 Nov 2025
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Jake C.

"Was a teaching assistant for years but never felt confident leading outdoors. Now I'm a qualified forest school leader running my own sessions. Brilliant."

17 Jan 2026
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Nancy B.

"Completed at 54. Proof that it's never too late. The team were wonderful throughout."

22 Jan 2026
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Troy H.
@bariweiss

"Great course. My nursery chain is now rolling forest school out across all their settings off the back of my training."

6 Feb 2026
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Ciara K.

"I've never left a review for anything before but this course deserves it. It changed my life."

20 Jan 2026
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Ravi S.

"Left classroom teaching. Retrained. Never been happier. That's the review."

25 Jan 2026
Image
Nicola B.

"The difference in the children is remarkable. Quieter kids find their voice, anxious kids relax, and the 'challenging' ones? They just... thrive. Worth every penny of the training."

12 Nov 2025
Image
Emily R.

"I had a child who was selectively mute in class. After 3 forest school sessions he was chatting away. That's the power of this approach and this training taught me how to do it properly."

22 Sep 2025
Image
Tina K.

"Made redundant at 48. Did this course. Now self-employed running forest school for 4 local schools. Best thing that ever happened to me."

28 Aug 2025
Image
Daisy N.

"My head teacher observed one of my sessions last week and was blown away. This training works."

28 Jan 2026
Image
Claire D.

"I was counting down to every half term and dreading Monday mornings. Now I wake up excited about work. The online format meant I could train while still employed which made the transition so much less scary."

5 Nov 2025
Image
Jake C.

"Was a teaching assistant for years but never felt confident leading outdoors. Now I'm a qualified forest school leader running my own sessions. Brilliant."

17 Jan 2026
Image
Nancy B.

"Completed at 54. Proof that it's never too late. The team were wonderful throughout."

22 Jan 2026
Image
Troy H.
@bariweiss

"Great course. My nursery chain is now rolling forest school out across all their settings off the back of my training."

6 Feb 2026
Image
Ciara K.

"I've never left a review for anything before but this course deserves it. It changed my life."

20 Jan 2026

3 Easy Steps to Your New Career Outdoors

It's never been easier to make the change from classroom to woodland, just follow these simple steps and start doing work you actually look forward to.

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1

Enrol Online

Sign up in minutes and get access to your on-demand video lessons and online portfolio

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2

Learn at Your Own Pace

Work through the modules whenever suits you, with live support sessions and same-day responses to questions.

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3

Get Qualified

Complete your portfolio with mentor support and receive your internationally recognised Level 3 qualification.

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More Than a Qualification

Finally, a way forward.

Our Level 3 training is designed to help you build genuine confidence, gain a credential employers recognise, and start work you actually look forward to, without years of retraining or starting from scratch.

  • Your teaching skills transfer directly, so you're building on experience, not abandoning it
  • On-demand lessons and live support sessions mean you learn at your own pace, not someone else's schedule
  • Ongoing mentor support until you're confident, not just until you've paid
Book Your Place
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Stop Counting Down to Friday

There is another way.

Our Level 3 training is designed to help you use your skills in an environment that restores you, do meaningful work with children, and build a career you choose, without the financial leap into the unknown.

  • Study at your own pace with on-demand lessons and flexible deadlines
  • Join 25,000+ educators who've already made the change
  • Learn from the team that's been training Forest School Leaders since 2001
Secure Your Spot
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Ready to Lead, Not Just Qualified

Confidence comes from practice, not just theory.

Our Level 3 training is designed to help you gain real skills with tools and fire, lead sessions with genuine confidence, and feel prepared for independent practice, without pretending to be a "nature expert."

  • Same-day responses to your questions, so you're never left waiting
  • Watch lessons as many times as you need, learning at your own pace
  • Ongoing portfolio support, so you're never left figuring it out yourself
Start Your Training

Why Educators Have Trusted Us for 25 Years

Get qualified with the training provider that's helped more teachers make the change than anyone else.

Book Your Training
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25 Years of Experience

We've been training Forest School Leaders since before most providers existed. You're learning from the people who helped shape outdoor education in the UK.

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Train While You Work

Watch lessons when it suits you, complete your portfolio at your own pace, and get qualified without taking time off work.

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Mentor Support Throughout

You're never left stuck with your portfolio. Ongoing guidance from qualified mentors until you're fully confident and certified.

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Hands-On, Not Just Theory

You'll leave with practical skills in tools, fire, and facilitation, not just a folder of notes you'll never look at again.

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No Nature Expertise Required

You don't need to identify every bird or name every tree. We teach you to facilitate discovery, not deliver lectures on ecology.

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Internationally Recognised Qualification

Open Awards accredited Level 3 certification accepted by employers, insurers, and local authorities across the UK and worldwide.

Reviewed by +100 Happy Customers

Not All Level 3 Training Is Equal

See why thousands of educators train with Forest Schools Education Over The Competition

Training Educators Since 2001
The Original Archimedes Model
Mentor support until you're fully qualified
On-demand video lessons included
Live support sessions to help complete your portfolio
Forest Schools Education
Training Provider 2
Training Provider 3
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Your Office Could Look Like This

Trade fluorescent lights for dappled sunlight.

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No Ceiling, No Walls: Your classroom is the woodland. Fresh air, natural light, and space to breathe. This is where learning happens.
Real Skills, Real Confidence: Children using real tools, taking real risks, building real confidence. You'll learn how to facilitate moments like this safely.
This Could Be You: A qualified Forest School Leader guiding a child through a meaningful experience. Our Level 3 course gets you here.
Nature Provides the Resources: No expensive equipment needed. Sticks, logs, leaves, and mud. The woodland is your supply cupboard.
Learning Without Worksheets: No photocopying. No laminating. No marking until midnight. Just purposeful, child-led activity in the fresh air.

Reviewed by +100 Confident Leaders

What people are saying about our Forest Schools training

Real Stories From People Who Made The Leap.

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Greg K.

Verified Customer

I was a burnt out Year 4 teacher. Now I spend my days in the woods with children. No contest.

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Maisie L.

Verified Customer

The children I work with have SEN and forest school has been incredible for them. This course prepared me properly

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Karina M.

Verified Customer

Loved it. My nursery manager is sending two more staff on the next cohort

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Ruth A.

Verified Customer

I've seen children who can't sit still for 5 minutes in a classroom happily engage for 2 hours in the woods. This training showed me how to facilitate that properly.

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Jessie B.

Verified Customer

My favourite week of the year was my training week. Came home a different person.

Sign Up Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions? We’ve got answers!

How does the online course work?
You get access to on-demand video lessons covering all the theory, practical skills, and child pedagogy you need. Work through the modules at your own pace, attend live support sessions when you need help, and build your portfolio using our online system. Your dedicated mentor supports you throughout until you're fully qualified.
How long do I have to complete the course?
You have 9 months from enrolment. Most learners finish within 6 months. If you need more time, you can extend for an additional fee.
Is the qualification the same as the fully Face-To-Face course?
Yes. Both routes lead to the same Ofqual-regulated Level 3 Certificate through Open Awards. The qualification is identical. The difference is how you learn, not what you earn.
Do I need prior outdoor experience?
No. The course is designed for people new to outdoor learning. You don't need to be a nature expert.
What practical work is involved?
You'll plan and deliver six Forest School sessions with a group of learners. This builds real confidence and provides evidence for your portfolio.
What support do I get?
Live online support sessions, same-day responses to questions, and ongoing mentor guidance until you complete your portfolio. You're never left to figure it out alone.
What qualification will I receive?
An Open Awards accredited Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification, recognised nationally and internationally. It meets the requirements for public liability insurance. It is the exact same qualification as any other face-to-face course
Can I do this while working full-time?
Yes. On-demand lessons mean you can study evenings, weekends, or whenever suits you. No need to take time off work.
Is there a payment plan?
Yes. You can spread the cost with monthly payments instead of paying in full upfront.
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Ready to Make the Change?

Your next step starts here.

Our Online Level 3 training is designed to help you gain a recognised qualification, build real confidence through structured learning, and start leading sessions you actually enjoy, without taking time off work to do it.

  • On-demand video lessons you can complete at your own pace
  • Support until you pass, not just until the course ends
  • Join 25,000+ educators who already made the change
Secure Your Spot

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