First Aid Training for Forest School (& Outdoor Woodland Learning)
16 hr Outdoor First Aid cover must be in place for Forest School sessions taking place outwith school grounds. This includes your block of practice sessions run during your training. For level 3 students and level 2/3 Top Up students it is a requirement for you to have your First Aid Certificate in place before you run your 6-week Forest School Programme.
In Scotland, we have adapted our own course in partnership with the First Aid Training Co-operative, called Outdoor First Aid for Forest School and Outdoor Woodland Learning. For info and dates see below.
Trainers are experienced outdoor practitioners, and can present discussion, practice and outdoor scenarios suited to Forest School situations. The First Aid Training Co-operative's specific OFA for Forest School and Outdoor Woodland Learning is specially designed to meet needs and build confidence. Courses are taught with an emphasis on practical application, contextual relevance and built up in small achievalbe chunks with lots of repetition. Contact Aline Hill on forestschool@bigworldadventures.org.
In England, we recommend the 2-day ITC Outdoor Forest School First Aid course accredited by SQA. The context for this training course is Forest School and as such the discussion, practice and outdoor scenarios are suited to Forest School situations. The course is taught in a 'Forest School way', using small achievable chunks, repetition and scaffolding. It is very hands-on and includes outdoor role-play scenarios, so you will need to wear suitable outdoor clothing!
It should be noted that the Outdoor Forest School First Aid training course is a 16-hour course and is run over 2 days, starting at 9.00am and finishing at 6.00pm. It is suitable for those working in the Outdoor industry, such as outdoor instructors, scout leaders, forestry workers, environmentalists and those undertaking field studies.
In the South-West this course is taught by Sam and Stella Iskander, from FirstAid4Life and whilst it does briefly cover aspects of how First Aid applies to work with children at Forest School, it does not qualify you with a Paediatric First Aid certificate. If your employer requires you to have a specific Paediatric First Aid Certificate then you will need to do the course below.
Forest School First Aid trainers
Andy Forsyth runs the Forest School First Aid course, which is similar content to the Outdoor First Aid course.
In the South-West this courses are taught by Sam and Stella Iskander, from FirstAid4Life. Note that whilst it does briefly cover aspects of how First Aid applies to work with children at Forest School, it does not qualify you with a Paediatric First Aid certificate. If your employer requires you to have a specific Paediatric First Aid Certificate then you will need to do their combined First Aid for Forest School and Paediatric First Aid course (South West mainly).
First Aid Training for Forest School
Training in Norfolk
Please visit the FSA Norfolk local group website for up to date information about CPD and First Aid courses.
Training in Scotland
For info and dates email Aline Hill on forestschool@bigworldadventures.org. Dates are scheduled as follows:
Powerleague, Hamilton, 30 – 31 May 2018 (8.45am-6pm)
Perthshire Scout Hall, Perth, 29 – 30 Sep 2018 (8.45am-6pm)
Bonaly Outdoor Centre, Edinburgh, 05 – 06 Nov 2018 (8.45am-6pm)
Powerleague, Hamilton, 06 – 07 Dec 2018 (8.45-6 pm)
Training in the South West
Please visit FirstAid4Life website for informations about first aid courses in Devon and other locations in the South West
