Qualifications and courses
At Kent Country Parks we have a wide range of accredited and non-accredited Forest School qualification and courses.
Our courses are regularly held across our parks but can also be delivered in your setting. For further information:
- Phone
- 03000 41 35 00
Forest School first aid
Course dates
- Course 1: 18 and 19 September 2025, 9am to 6pm
- Course 2: Thursday 5 and Friday 6 March 2026, 9am to 6pm
- Course 3: Thursday 17 and Friday 18 September 2026, 9am to 6pm.
Course location: Shorne Woods Country Park, Brewers Road, Gravesend DA12 3HX
Price: £195 for a 2 day course
This two-day course provides learners with a level 3 qualification in outdoor first aid. Ideal for Forest School practitioners and those working towards their award.
Level 1 Forest School
Course dates: Monday 27 and 28 April 2026 from 9:30am to 3pm (2 day course)
Course Location: Shorne Woods Country Park, Brewers Road, Gravesend DA12 3HX
Price: £325 for a 2-day course.
The course includes 16 hours on-site delivery and 10 hours portfolio completion.
The AIM Qualifications Level 1 Award in Forest School Ethos and Principles provides learners with an introduction to the Forest School ethos and learning in the outdoors. It includes methods of identifying woodland species and how play can assist in Forest School activities.
This qualification is designed to enable learners to develop an understanding of the principles and ethos of Forest School. It will prepare learners for further study and employment in the outdoors and to progress on to the Level 3 Award for Forest School leaders.
There are no entry requirements for this qualification, except for a minimum age of 14.
Assessment is through a portfolio of evidence and tutor observations.
Level 3 Certificate for Forest School leaders
Course location: Shorne Woods Country Park, Brewers Road, Gravesend DA12 3HX
Price: £995 for an 8-day course (8 sessions over 12 months)
This popular qualification will enable you to become a Forest School Leader able to design, set up and run a Forest School programme. Level 3 covers how to facilitate groups in a learner-centred way and how to manage a Forest School site sustainably.
The AIM Qualifications suite of Forest School qualifications has been developed with the support of the Forest School Association and specialists in Forest School delivery and training. This qualification is completed over 12 months to allow for portfolio completion. As part of this course, you will need to run a 6 week Forest School programme, of which one session will be observed by a tutor.
We have 2 courses available to book:
1. Course start date: Wednesday 25 February 2026. Each session is 9am to 4pm.
Session dates:
- 25 February 2026
- 4 March 2026
- 11 March 2026
- 18 March 2026
- 25 March 2026
- 16 September 2026
- 23 September 2026
- 30 September 2026.
2. Course start date: Tuesday 9 September 2026. Each session is 9am to 4pm.
Session dates:
- 8 September 2026
- 15 September 2026
- 22 September 2026
- 29 September 2026
- 6 October 2026
- 2 March 2027
- 9 March 2027
- 16 March 2027.
Book a place on one of these courses
Exploring the outdoors for Early Years
Course date: 31 March 2026, 9:30am to 3pm.
Course location: Shorne Woods Country Park, Brewers Road, Gravesend DA12 3HX
Price: £120 for a 1-day course
This fun packed course will explore how the natural environment can be used to stimulate the senses of Early Years children. Lots of practical activities will be demonstrated and discussed with the opportunity to make some simple equipment and craft items. The course will look at how the environment can be used as a tool to develop and extend children's patterns of learning. It will also provide ideas and advice on how small sensory gardens can be created and managed.
Raising the standard – Naturally calm kids
If you are interested in this course email outdoorlearn01@kent.gov.uk using the subject line “Naturally Calm Kids, register your interest”.
Raising the standard – exploring the outdoors for early years
If you are interested in this course email outdoorlearn01@kent.gov.uk using the subject line "Exploring the outdoors, register your interest".
Introduction to Forest School
If you are interested in this course email outdoorlearn01@kent.gov.uk using the subject line “Introduction to Forest School".