Our Accredited Level 4 – Certificate in Leading Forest School and Outdoor Learning Training course is a bespoke programme of individualised training and mentoring available for those wishing to become lead trainers for Forest School and Outdoor Learning courses. To our current knowledge, the above course is the only fully independent Accredited and nationally recognised Level 4 course that is not part of a franchise now available in the UK.
Through all the Stages of Learning that we offer at Level 4, our aim is to support and build confidence in new trainers through an agreed individualised learning and mentoring programme that facilitates building of specific skills and gaining experience in all aspects of running Accredited FS and OL training. Level 4 students will be given access to all the course resources and materials that we have developed over 13 years of training experience as well as gaining all the benefits of becoming a part of our Cambium Outdoor Learning Trainers Network.
Developed by Cambium and Natural Resources Wales from a pilot run in 2009 this course has been revised and updated for 2017 to include enhanced practical skills training and embeds a Licence to deliver all levels of Outdoor Learning Training that form part of the nationally recognised Agored Cymru suite of Outdoor Learning Qualifications. This Suite of Units are on the QCF framework and are delivered across the UK by trainers that recognise the value of having a range of Outdoor Learning, Forest School, Coastal School and Outdoor Curriculum Coordinator Units available, adding value and flexibility to the learning pathways that their students can take.
Our Level 4 Training programme comprises the following stages:
Each stage must be achieved before progression to the next stage is possible. Once accepted on to the course students attend part or all of the five days of initial training that deliver the Stages consecutively. This makes possible a modular approach over a period of time or to fast track the course for those wishing to gain the full Level 4 Accredited programme.
Students who would like to be able to deliver the Level 1 – Award in Outdoor Learning and the Level 2 – Award in Outdoor Learning Practice / Outdoor Play Practice courses need only complete Stage 1.
Candidates entering on to Stage 1 only must have accomplished the following:-
Completion of Stage 1 leads to the Cambium Certificate in delivering Outdoor Learning at Level 1 and 2. This programme of learning and practical experience opportunities usually takes 9 – 12 months to complete and covers all aspects of establishment of training at Level 1 and 2 in your own area. These courses can be aimed at young people 14+ through to educational professionals who would like to expand and improve their outdoor learning practice.
Students who would like to be able to deliver practical skills training at Level 2 as part of their Cambium License will need to complete Stages 1 and 2
Candidates entering on to Stage 2 must have accomplished the following:
Students who would like to be able to deliver all Levels of Outdoor Learning and Forest School Training will need to complete all three Stages
Candidates entering on to the Accredited L4 course must have accomplished the following:-
Completion of all 3 Stages as listed above leads to the Accredited L4 Certificate in Leading Outdoor Learning and Forest School Training. This programme of learning and practical experience opportunities usually takes between 18 and 24 months to complete and covers all aspects of establishment of training in your own area, preparing for and delivering a L3 training course as well as looking at the context of OL / FS training, its recent history and background. A summary of the course content can be found here and an application form for all three Stages can be found here. Following successful completion of the L4 training course, candidates are required to work with Cambium in the delivery of their first few training courses at any Level of FS Training to ensure consistency in best practice training delivery. Following this probationary period new trainers are free to choose to stay registering their courses with Cambium or make other arrangements. We are very pleased to say that 95% of our Level 4 trained students have chosen to stay with us.
Once accepted on to any of the above courses, candidates must achieve the following (if not already accomplished)
Cambium Trainer courses may contain elements of group work but are largely bespoke programmes aimed at building training that meets your needs and equips new trainers to deliver best practice training in future.
Course Costs:
Level 4 courses are run every term from our main office on the border of Wales and England. We have a maximum of 5 students per course. In the first instance, please contact Sam or Carol by phone or e mail for an informal chat about your training needs and to find out the dates of the next course.
Please Note – Our experience of delivering Outdoor Learning and Forest School training since 2004 has led to our belief that striving for best practice delivery, attention to detail, personal relationship building and ethical practices in business are keys to success. We expect our Associate Trainers to develop similar threads in their training and we reserve the right to refuse admission on to these courses or to cease working with organisations that we feel do not reflect this outlook.