Green Planet Forest School
An S4A Group Company

Training and Consultancy

For more than three years we have been fine tuning our craft and working towards becoming a market leading educator and a centre of excellence for outdoor learning. We have honed our processes for engagement, site setup and configuration, and for the delivery of exciting, engaging and memorable outdoor learning experiences while working with thousands of children of all abilities at more than a dozen different settings.

And now, for 2025 we will be introducing the Green Planet Academy; Our new training and consultancy division which will take all of our combined knowledge, experience and passion and make it available to adult learners, and to educators who wish to expand their outdoor learning skills.
 
Our Forest School and Outdoor Educator courses are recognised by the Forest School Association and the Institute of Outdoor Learning. And our courses are a blend of hands-on practical skill days and portfolio work which can be completed remotely.
 
We will be offering at locations across Buckinghamshire & Northamptonshire:-
– Level 3 Certificate in Leading Forest School
– Level 2 Award in Assisting Forest School
– Level 1 Award in Outdoor Learning
– Level 2 Award in Curriculum-Based Outdoor Learning
 
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
Dates and locations will be announced in due course and spaces will be limited. If you would like to be added to our waiting list to be amongst the first notified.
 

Training Courses

Forest School & Outdoor Educator courses from the Green Planet Academy

Consultancy Services

Advice, guidance and mentorship from the Green Planet Education Team

What is Forest School?

At its heart Forest School is an educational philosophy and psychology (a pedagogy) that places a high value on play and nurtures creativity and curiosity, putting the needs of the participants (children), and their holistic development before the demands of a school curriculum. It should revolve around frequent visits to forests, woodlands and other wild places to build familiarity, community and care for the planet. The ideas behind Forest School emerged from the progressive, communitarian forest cultures of Scandinavia and northern Europe, and in the past twenty years those ideas have put down roots in the UK and right around the globe.

What goes on at Green Planet Forest School Sessions

Our emphasis at our sessions, whether they are during school time, at an afterschool club or during full days at holiday clubs is always on children leading the way. This empowers them to direct their own learning in fun ways which enable them to discover what excites them, explore their interests and play in a way that suits them rather than being prescribed what they should do and how they should do it. We believe this supports their independence as well as enabling them to quickly gain or hone skills such as confidence, resilience, perseverance and communication. Read more about the value of free play and how it benefits child development here.

The Green Planet team prepares for sessions by setting up stations or situations such as for whittling, fire lighting, campfire cooking, shelter building, crafting, tree climbing, construction using tools, and supports children on whichever activity they choose to explore. In order to fully appreciate the range of fun activities on offer, a very detailed list of those activities and their benefit to child development can be found here. Of course all of this goes on in a woodland area giving access to nature which itself is both a great educator and an amazing place to play.

The Green Planet Forest School team welcomes children from any primary school in any area, with any level of ability. Children with SEN needs are not only welcome and well catered for, they traditionally excel in this environment. And if you are unsure about booking your child please read our excellent reviews on Trust Pilot or by all means contact us directly for a chat.

For information on recommended clothing for Forest School sessions read this detailed blog post.

For more information read our Forest School FAQ