Why Become a Forest School Leader?
Discover the Personal and Professional Rewards of this Fulfilling Career Path.
Becoming a Forest School Leader can be a deeply fulfilling and impactful career path for a variety of reasons, both personal and professional. Here are some key motivations people have for becoming a Forest School Leader:
Empowering Children Through Nature
Forest School encourages child-led, outdoor learning that fosters resilience, confidence, independence and creativity. As a leader, you:
Support holistic development.
Watch children thrive outside traditional classroom settings.
Help kids build life skills through real-world experiences.
Advocating for Nature Connection
In a world increasingly dominated by screens and structured routines, Forest School Leaders help children:
Reconnect with the natural world.
Develop environmental awareness and stewardship.
Build a sense of belonging in nature.
Personal Growth and Fulfillment
Many leaders find that this role enhances their own:
Wellbeing: Being outdoors is grounding, reduces stress and promotes physical health.
Creativity and Flexibility: Each day is different and you're constantly adapting to the children’s needs and the natural environment.
Purpose: Knowing your work has long-term positive impacts on children and nature.
Practical, Hands-On Learning
Forest School emphasises experiential education. As a leader, you facilitate:
Fire lighting, tool use, den building, bushcraft and nature-based art.
Learning that’s relevant, tangible and memorable for children.
Career Expansion and Independence
With proper training (like the Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification in the UK),
you can:
Start your own Forest School or nature-based program.
Work freelance, for schools, nurseries, charities, or outdoor education centres.
Combine it with teaching, childcare, environmental education, or youth work.
Becoming a Forest School Leader is ideal if you:
Love working with children.
Are passionate about the outdoors.
Want to make a difference in education and mental health.
Enjoy creativity, freedom and active work.
Forest School Leader Training (Level 3)
11 Training Days between November 2025 and May 2026
Thinking about becoming a Forest School Leader? This could be the exciting, rewarding career change you’ve been looking for! Our comprehensive training course is perfect for anyone ready to lead their own Forest School programs. You’ll dive into learning theory, develop practical skills and gain the confidence and know-how to create and run inspiring Forest School experiences.
"These last few days have just reaffirmed that this course is not just about a better career opportunity or making us better teachers/TAs/instructors but on a personal level it's therapeutic and creates a deeper awareness of yourself, so thank you!"
Course Participant
Courses that are ideal for those interested in Forest School:
Rough Play in Natural World Settings
Sat 11th October 9.30am - 4.30pm
Working with the nature play cycle, this workshop will explore the characteristics of play and the value of conflict in play. Play, behaviour and consent are the broader themes.
The course will give you:
An understanding of how to work with perceived conflict in play
A guide on how to support, when to step back
and when to engage with play
Observation skills: considering whose values are guiding us?
Nature-based activities and games (there will be projectiles!)
An understanding of how we as educators can support or compromise play values
Sense of what is ‘edgy’ for you when experiencing weapon and rough play
A sense of adventure and playfulness
Supporting Children Through Anxiety and Trauma
Sat 12th October 9.30am - 4.30pm
This CPD training course shares knowledge and opens discussions about how outdoor learning practitioners and teachers can support children through times of anxiety and trauma. The course takes place in our beautiful woodland site in the Hampshire South Downs. Renowned Forest School trainer, Jon Cree, will call on current neurological understanding and share practical ideas to help you understand and support children's emotional wellbeing.
The course will cover:
Creating a safe space
Working with sensory preferences
Embodiment and integration
Grounding and centring
Recognising behaviour is communication.
Polyvagal theory and the five touchstones of somatic practice
Importance of co-regulation
Working with stories in a therapeutic way
Nature-based meditation
Reflections and embodiment practices
This course will reaffirm your knowledge of the emotional benefits of working with groups in nature.
Interesting