Wondering what activities to run in your outdoor learning sessions?

But you’re not sure where to start...

Forest School Activities Online Training

Forest School Activities Online Training

You want to use Outdoor Learning and Forest School-type activities to teach, empower, and further the curriculum, but…

❌ You’re unsure what activities to lead

❌ Your setting is devoid of green space

❌ You lack time and resources

❌ You feel restricted by curriculum requirements

❌ You think you need to be qualified

...sound familiar?

My Forest School Activities Online Training Course packages my 30 years of experience into practical, actionable lesson plans that bring your Outdoor Learning ideas to reality so you can:

✔️ Plan and organise engaging and age-appropriate outdoor sessions

✔️ Plan activities according to your available space

✔️ Adhere to health and safety requirements

✔️ Back link to the Curriculum & Improve mental health

✔️ Get the insurance you need to take groups outdoors

Take a look at some of the activities you’ll learn

Using a Bow Saw

This video gives you direct example of how to use a bow saw and a pruning saw safely! We take time to give you professional training into how and why we are using these tools as any mistakes could result in serious injury. We talk through all the considerations for you to think about, which wood to use and the options you have.

Fox Walking Game

Many of the games we enjoy enable a group to develop their natural senses and begin to increase their self and nature awareness. Fox walking, a way of walking that derives from watching and learning from predators like the fox, provides a skill to walk slowly and quietly through the woods.

How to make a Wooden Mallet

This activity teaches many useful skills from using the saw to knife work. It can be done with all ages, as long as we apply the different methods of using tools from the other videos.

How is this course different from the Level 3 Qualification?

This online training resource does not give you a formal qualification in Forest School Leadership.

There is no requirement to have a Forest School Qualification to take children out of doors to learn and play. As a teacher or practitioner, you are legally obliged to have risk assessments in place and insurance relevant to practice offered.

The course aims to enable and equip people with the practical delivery of Forest School-based activities to a high competency, with all the correct health and safety and pedagogy weaved through the course.

It has been designed at the same standard and beyond as a Level 3, by Marina Robb, an endorsed Forest School Association Trainer with 30 years experience.

The Forest School approach builds on 6 core principles, and is part of a weekly child led provision, delivered by a qualified practitioner. If you want to deliver an ongoing Forest School rather than Forest School based activities or Outdoor Learning, then we recommend you take a Level 3 'in-person' qualification with Marina Robb.

Here's a summary of everything included in this course

(Modules can also be bought separately for £47 +vat each)

Module 1:
Fire & Pedagogy
outdoor fire

Build your confidence and learn to safely light fires with your group using a range of methods. Learn to prepare and set up your fire site in a safe way and see how the children can get involved.

Module 5:
Natural Crafts & Play
Natural Crafts and Play Online Courses

Get creative with natural materials! Lessons include step by step video lessons on a range of activities including clay fairies, teasel hedgehogs, bird feeders, leaf bashing and natural paints.

Module 2:
Ropes & Knots
Ropes and Knots Online Course

Learn to feel confident with ropes and knots and to teach them to your groups. Find out how to safely put up swings and hammocks and how to make a rope bridge and ladder.

Module 6:
Using Tools
Using Tools Online Courses

Gain confidence in using basic tools with different age groups taking your group's crafting to another level. Lessons include working safely with knives, saws, palm drills and tent pegs to construct a range of items.

Module 3:
Cooking on a Fire
Cooking on a Fire Online Courses

Learn to cook safely on a fire with your group. This module has printable recipes and will teach you how to cook kebabs, pan pizzas, popcorn, toffee apples, flapjacks cooked in leaves and much more.

Module 7:
Wild Food & Foraging
Wild Plants and Foraging Online Courses

Discover the wonder of fruits, plants and trees and get to know them in a safe and respectful way. You will learn to make creams, syrups, teas and pancakes using nettles, hedgerow berries, cleavers and plantain.

Module 4:
Shelters & Play
Shelter and Play Online Courses

Learn how to safely erect temporary group shelters using tarpaulins and to work with the children as they build shelters from natural woodland materials and create diverse opportunities for play.

Module 8:
Nature Awareness Games
Nature Awareness Games Online Courses

Learn how to deliver games with clear instructional videos that are a fun way of learning through nature. Lessons include examples of games that can be played with early years, primary and secondary children.

In fact, you'll get

Lifetime access to 87 video lessons full of tried and tested activities, games that make learning through nature fun.

15 downloadable resources, including Risk and Benefits Assessments for each module, Food Safety in the Outdoors, Outdoor Cooking Recipes, A Safety Guide to Swings, A Guide to Greenlight Plants and lots more.

Examples of games and activities for early years, primary and secondary children.

Testimonials for The Forest School Activities Online Training

Excellent forest school online modules that are brilliantly user friendly

Marina and her team have created the most excellent forest school online modules that are brilliantly user friendly. She approaches the tasks with passion and simplicity and the quote 'Fear replaced by knowledge' encompasses exactly the reason people are afraid to try foraging. Each stepped approach to gaining the information is clear and succinct with the overriding feeling of being right there in the outdoors. It made me want to go find the nettles in my garden and make some of those crisps!

Phil DeanCareers, Enrichment and Outdoor Learning Leader, St Oscar Romero Catholic School

I can't wait to head outside and try some Nettle Pakoras

WOW! All of the films provided clear step by step instructions to ensure that practitioners feel confident with the stages of making with consideration given to health and safety, allergies and medical awareness, plant ID and how to adapt using different resources. I loved this module and can't wait to head outside and try some Nettle Pakoras. This has really given me 'food for thought' and made me feel so excited about the different ways to involve children with every element from gathering, plant identification, preparing, cooking and then considering how to show gratitude and give back to nature. Thank you Marina - another wonderful module.

Louise HackEducational Consultant and Director of Whoosh Learning

It is brilliant and anyone can do it!

These nature awareness games give children of all ages an opportunity to tune into their senses. In the classroom we can spend time and money on creating sensory work; in the outdoors, with Marina's guidance, nature does a lot of the work for us. Marina's course teaches us games which we can use with children of all ages. It is brilliant and anyone can do it!

Jennie CaseyForest School Practitioner and Trainee Play Therapist

Whom you learn from matters

I'm Marina Robb

I'm the Founder and Managing Director of Circle of Life Rediscovery Community Interest Company and The Outdoor Teacher Ltd, and a qualified teacher with over 30 years experience in outdoor learning and nature connection, and a leading Forest School endorsed trainer and practitioner. I'm a national expert in nature based education and therapeutic interventions and my aim is to share my knowledge and experience with teachers and others wishing to work outside the classroom.I've pioneered nature programmes within the health sector for my work with teenagers, families and young people with mental health issues, disabilities, dementia and early psychosis.  

I'm the co-author of ‘Learning with Nature’ a must-have book for Forest School & Outdoor practitioners, and ‘The Essential Guide to Forest School and Nature Pedagogy’ which contains everything you need to know from theory to practice.

I'm also the host of The Wild Minds Podcast.

When you learn from an author and outdoor practitioner with 30+ years of experience, you learn from someone who has gained wisdom through practice.

And can refer to results that back up everything they teach.

As a result, you'll know how to connect the dots of the various activities you learn.

You'll be able to grasp the concepts better.

You'll see how they plan and organise activities.

Consequently, you'll achieve tangible results from your training materials.

Video Testimonial

money back

14 day Guarantee

Risk free

14 Days Money Back Guarantee

If you are not happy with the course, you can contact us with an explanation and claim a full refund within 14 days.


See for yourself the benefits of our Forest School Activities Online Training Course

Here’s what you’ll get:

✔️ 8 Forest School Activity Modules

✔️ Lifetime access to 87 video lessons full of tried and tested activities, games that are a fun way of learning through nature. 

✔️ Examples of games you can play with early years, primary and secondary children.

✔️ 15 downloadable resources including Risk and Benefits Assessments for each module, Food Safety in the Outdoors, Outdoor Cooking Recipes, A Safety Guide to Swings, A Guide to Greenlight Plants and lots more.

laptops and tablets

Know that your course is available on all devices

The Forest School Activities Online Training is mobile friendly and available on all devices.

If you have an iPhone, you can download the 'Teachable' app from the Apple Store and download the videos onto your phone.

Testimonials for The Forest School Activities Online Training 

This has given me confidence

I have just completed the Tools Module online with The Outdoor Teacher. I am currently in training to become a Forest School teacher and feel this has given me the confidence and skills necessary to enhance my learning to enable me to deliver activities that involve using tools safely and creatively.

Claire SamwaysPhysiotherapist. Coppice Crafter. Trainee FS Teacher

You really don’t need lots of equipment to get started

Even after all the years I have been teaching outdoor learning and facilitating Forest School, it was great to be reminded of the power and simplicity of creative play and learning. Marina slowly builds upon simple ideas, layer by layer and the possibilities soon become limitless. What I also love about this module is that you really don’t need lots of equipment to get started as the idea is to inspire and see where it takes you. You really don’t have to be an artist to do this module... just a willingness to have a go!

Charlie IrvingForest School Practitioner

The course was great, very simple to use and really informative

The course was great, very simple to use and really informative. The course gives individuals the confidence and clear safety guidelines to equip you to just get outdoors and enjoy nature in a fun and engaging way.

Katie O’ConnellDrama Teacher

FAQ

When does the course start?

If you are paying in full, you will get access to all 8 modules and all bonus materials as soon as your purchase is complete.

How long do I have access to the course?

You will have lifetime access to the course! Unlimited access to the lessons and videos for as long as you like, across all your devices.

Is my tutor qualified?

Yes, Marina Robb is an author and UK Forest School Association Endorsed Trainer and has been training Forest School Leaders since 2011. She has been working with groups in nature since 1995 and you can read more here.

Our organisation can’t pay using a credit or debit card – can we still buy the course?

Yes, we understand that many schools and other organisations can’t pay by card – contact us and we can send you an invoice to pay us by bank transfer in UK Sterling, Euros or Dollars. We can also accept cheques from UK bank accounts.

Can I access the course on my mobile?

Yes, the course can be accessed on all devices. If you have an iPhone, you can also download the free ‘Teachable’ app from the Apple Store and complete the course using the app, downloading any videos you like onto your device.

What if I am unhappy with the course?

If for some reason you are not happy with the course, contact us in writing within your first 14 days for a full refund. You will need to include an explanation of why you want the refund.

Does this course qualify me to run Forest School sessions?

This course is not a qualification but is Certified by The Outdoor Teacher and based on Marina's experience and expertise in this field.
All practitioners in the UK need to follow health and safety law, which requires us to provide risk assessments and be competent to deliver activities. Teachers for example are already qualified already to take their practice outdoors but are likely to need a course like ours to get the practical skills in place.
The Level 3 Forest School training and Forest School programmes (long term) are an educational approach and the training is excellent. If you intend to offer long-term forest school programmes, then I would recommend you doing the qualification.
We have a page about Outdoor Learning Myths and a recent webinar where these issues are addressed:
https://theoutdoorteacher.com/blog/outdoor-learning-myths

How is this course different from the Level 3 Training?

This training resource does not give you a formal qualification in Forest School Leadership.

It has been designed at the same standard and beyond as a Level 3, by Marina Robb, an endorsed Forest School Association Trainer with 30 years experience. The course aims to enable and equip people with the practical delivery of Forest School-based activities to a high competency, with all the correct health and safety and pedagogy weaved through the course.  

There is no requirement to have a Forest School Qualification to take children out of doors to learn and play. As a teacher or practitioner, you are legally obliged to have risk assessments in place and insurance relevant to practice offered.

How many hours is the course?

This is a self-paced course so you work in your own time from pre-recorded materials and videos with 2 additional live webinars. The course is organised into the seasons so designed to be worked though over the calendar year.
We estimate that it will take a minimum of 36 hours to complete the course but you will also need to factor in time to practice the activities on top of this. 

We don't have access to a woodland - can we do these activities in a playground or park?

Yes, you can. Whether you are near a woodland, park or school playground - all the activities can be adapted for different circumstances.

We have run activities using fire, tools, games, wild food, crafts, swings & ropes, shelters in school yards and playgrounds.

It does take more preparation and consideration of equipment. If you wanted to make fires, you would either designate a small green area of the playground for this purpose or use a fire bowl to lift the fire off the ground. We have also taken many groups on short walks throughout the seasons to gather some plants for many activities.

Posts can be put up to replace trees, so that children can still set up various rope bridges or constructions and with a little thinking you can easily set up a rope swing and tarpaulin shelters.

In schools we often ask parents to contribute a log for our wood pile and ask for help to bring in useful materials we may need over the year.

Can I share my course with my colleagues?

No - the license is granted for 1 user to view the contents of the course. This access must not be shared with any other person and only the named user will receive the certificate.

See next question for bulk licencing queries.

Can we purchase multiple licenses for our staff team?

Yes, please contact us for bulk purchasing discounts. We can set up the user accounts for you and send you access codes and you can pay by invoice

Do I get a certificate?

Yes, all our courses come with a ‘Certificate of Completion’ from The Outdoor Teacher Ltd.

How can we contact you if we have a question?

Yes feel free to call or email us with any questions - our contact details are on the contact page.

Our commitment to Nature & People:

The Outdoor Teacher, alongside its sister organization Circle of Life Rediscovery CIC aim to transform health, education and family through nature.

We are whole-heartedly concerned about the safeguarding of future generations, human and non-human alike, and the growing understanding of reciprocity between humans and nature. Whilst we are advocates for all people accessing nature and its benefits, we know that this is only healthy if we prioritise the care for the natural world and address issues of equality.

The Outdoor Teacher is working towards becoming a certified B-Corp. Certified B Corps are a new kind of business that balances purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. We aim to be part of this community of leaders, driving a global movement of people using businesses as a force for good.

We are using Monzo Business Banking which is listed as an ethical bank: https://monzo.com/ethics.

Featured Courses