The FOLA course includes practical days in woodland and online learning.

In-person woodland days are currently hosted in locations across Scotland’s central belt, Perthshire, Fife and Angus throughout the seasons.

There are self-study hours and assessments at each level, which are supported by bespoke videos created by our tutors and hosted on an online learning platform for convenient access.

There are a series of workbooks to complete your learning, and level 8 students will plan, organise and run eight forest school sessions as part of their assessment.

• Risk assessing your sites for taking groups outside.

• Considering fire and how to run safe campfires with participants.

• Learn and teach safe use of simple hand tools.

• Practical ideas for supporting creativity with natural materials. 

• Woodland and greenspace management for sustainability and biodiversity.

• Supporting participants' holistic development outdoors and in nature.

• Benefits of nature connection and nature contact.

• How to meet participants' social, emotional, sensory needs in woodland environments including urban woods and parks.

• Benefits of creating a community of learning with your sessions.

• And so much more…

If woodland days on your course are delivered monthly and within a six month period, you are likely to complete your certificate within 9 months.

Often people complete within a year of their first woodland day of training, while working full time in another role. 

Level 8 currently costs £1270 with us.

A teaching, childcare or therapeutic qualification is desirable (but not essential).

Visit our tutor website for details of the next trainings. Scroll down to see all levels and locations available.

After completing level 5 and level 6 FOLA you will be able to assist on forest school sessions run by qualified leaders. 

After completing level 8 FOLA you can run forest school sessions for your school groups, run your own business as a forest school, or start a summer school delivering outdoor learning and nature connection events.

• Waterproof jacket

• Waterproof trousers 

• Warm layers

• Sturdy shoes, 

• Pencil and paper 

• Lunch

• Anything you use to take notes and pictures.

Yes, we run training contracts for councils and these are not advertised on our public pages.

Details of our procurement profile can be found here.

Please get in touch to find out what we can offer you by emailing: hello@glasgowforestschool.co.uk