Ineed an additional qualification to teach pupils outside… it’s a legal requirement!’ This is a myth that The Outdoor Teacher founder Marina Robb debunks on a handout produced with South Downs National Park. ‘When you’re a trained early years practitioner, you work with groups all the time so you’re entirely qualified to work outdoors,’ she says.
However, a vast range of outdoor teaching qualifications do exist from Level 1 up to post-graduate. If you want to gain a qualification in this field, what criteria can help you decide which to choose?
The main reason people take up such qualifications is to gain confidence, says Ms Robb. ‘A lot of teacher training doesn’t include experience or ideas about outdoor learning. The main barrier is confidence.’
BUILDING CONFIDENCE
Hull University has sought to address this issue in its early years and primary teaching degrees by embedding outdoor learning into its courses. Head of subject for education, childhood and youth studies, Jo Traunter, believes outdoor teaching should not ‘be a bolt-on qualification, but rooted in everything students learn in their training’. However, she accepts schools, nurseries and providers like to see evidence of skills and understanding that come with formal outdoor training, so her students can submit a Forest School training portfolio for certification.
‘When we work with students outdoors, we are considering many different aspects of practice, including health and wellbeing, child development, play-based learning and working with parents, carers and other professionals in outdoor spaces,’ she says. ‘This is a much broader view of outdoor learning than can be offered in a bespoke training programme.’
The Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC) offers an Outdoor Learning pathway as part of its MA in Education (Early Years), which is validated by Birmingham City University. CREC assistant director Sean Delaney says at MA level, the aim is for students to develop their academic skills of critical thinking, reflective practice and practitioner research. ‘Unlike some more-practical CPD available, none of [our] pathways train you in a specific approach, but instead introduce you to the underpinning theories and encourage students to be critical thinkers and to consider how that applies in their context, while bringing their own experiences and knowledge to group discussions,’ he says.
IN THE LEAD
Many training organisations offer certified courses. At Level 4, Learning Through Landscapes offers a Forest Kindergarten award accredited by the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework. This enables practitioners to prepare forest kindergarten sites, and set up and lead sessions. Generally, Level 3 courses also result in practitioners becoming qualified to lead outdoor sessions, such as the Level 3 Award in Coordinating an Outdoor Curriculum offered by Muddy Feet Training. This takes between nine and 12 months to complete and is assessed by a portfolio. Level 2 courses are shorter and may enable the participant to assist with outdoor teaching, for example, to understand some practical skills involved in the Forest School approach, but not all of them. A Level 1 course is generally seen as introductory.
Outdoor nursery chain Little Forest Folk launched a Level 3 accredited Forest School Training course this year, which requires participants to attend eight training days and complete a portfolio within nine months. Director of strategy and brand vision Lisa Behan says, ‘The people on the course are in it together and it creates a little network of other Forest School leaders you can discuss your challenges and successes with; you just wouldn’t get this solely through CPD or experience.’
WHICH ONE?
Ms Robb suggests practitioners consider the experience providers offer, their own qualifications, and their setting’s needs. Her organisation offers online Forest School activities training, which she created for teachers who do not have time to complete face-to-face courses.
She points out that the course qualifies students for Forest School liability insurance. ‘Make sure you’re adequately insured,’ says Ms Robb. ‘That often comes from either a qualification that’s recognised, or training with appropriately qualified or experienced practitioners.’
How to recognise quality training
- The Institute of Outdoor Learning – www.outdoor-learning.org – accredits a huge range of courses from CPD to Master’s level, including bushcraft, outdoor first-aid and Woodland Activity Leader training.
- Forest School Association – www.forestschoolassociation.org – supports a selection of awarding bodies that offer Forest School qualifications at all levels, and also endorses Forest School trainers.
- Cambium Sustainable – www.cambiumsustainable.co.uk – is an accredited training provider offering courses at levels 1 to 4 that also accredits other training providers, and claims to have the largest network of accredited trainers in the UK.