Forest School Training, Level 2 Assistant, October 2026, County Durham

4 day course, £550.00

This is an approved use of Schools’ PE and Sports Premium.

This course will qualify you as a Forest School Assistant, NOCN Level 2. This is ideal for teachers, teaching assistants, EYFS practitioners, outdoor educators and environmental staff who are interested in Forest Schools and plan to work alongside a Forest School Leader.

OASES have trained over 250 forest school practitioners since 2017, revolutionising their practice.

Who is it for?
Those working with children and young people who wish to assist with forest school programmes. You must be 16 years old or over to begin the course and 18 years old or over to complete the course.

What does it involve?
• 4 days of training, 10am-3pm.
• Portfolio completion– learners have 12 months from the beginning of the course to complete their portfolio.
• Assist with 3 forest school sessions over 3 weeks at your own site following the course. (Please note, if you are working independently of a school or setting, you will need to source a group and insurance for these sessions).

What will I learn?
The qualification includes 2 units:
• Supporting a Forest School Programme: Practical Skills (including woodland ecology, health and safety, fires, tools, knots and shelters)
• Supporting a Forest School Programme: Learning and Development (including learning and development theory and session planning and delivery).

How do I book?
Complete the form below.
We also recommend that you complete a 2 day outdoor first aid qualification, food hygiene course and safeguarding course.

What should I bring?
• Outdoor clothing including a waterproof coat and trousers and warm layers.
• Sturdy footwear– steel toe caps are recommended.
• A packed lunch and a water bottle or flask.

4 day course

County Durham course – level 2 course starting October 2026

Days take place at a mixture of Esh Winning Primary School and Hamsterley Forest

Day 1-Wednesday 7^th October 2026
Day 2–Thursday 8^th October 2026
Day 3-Wednesday 21^st October  2026
Day 4–Thursday 22^nd October  2026

This course is convenient for organisations and schools in the North East, including County Durham, Newcastle, Northumberland, Sunderland, Redcar and Cleveland, Gateshead, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Stockton, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Darlington and further afield.