Forest Schools Birmingham

Cannot recommend this training course enough! I had no idea what to expect when I started the first training week and was really anxious about completing a new qualification and, later, having to be assessed. However, it has been one of the most supportive and incredible experiences of my life, learning these amazing skills and growing in confidence in the most beautiful woods! Afric and Nick are the epitome of the Forest School ethos; kind, caring and utterly inspiring and they are so incredibly knowledgeable too. If you're thinking of becoming a Forest School practitioner, you couldn't find a more knowledgeable and inspiring pair! Cannot thank Afric and Nick enough for sharing their beautiful woods, skills, knowledge and passion with us all. Xx

WOW, what can I say, just handed in my completed portfolio. What a journey it has been. From the initial assessment week I have been honoured to learn from such inspirational practitioners (Afric & Nick) and had a wonderful group of trainees too. There is help every step of the way either via zoom meetings or the Whatsapp group chat, or emails. Being a part of this wonderful experience has truly changed my life, a spark has been ignited and I truly enjoy sharing my knowledge with the children I work with.If you're looking for a face to face course, this is the one for you, the setting at Lime Woods is idyllic and so peaceful. I wouldn't of been able to do this via an online course as I feel you'd be missing the personal touch and experiences of the people who are training you, plus you get to know the other trainees on the course and you all have different experiences and backgrounds and is great to share your own personal trials and tribulations. Plus there is a wonderful dog called Lars, who will just chase his ball endlessly. Thank you Afric & Nick for all of your inspiration xx

The most inspirational trainers (Afric & Nick) and tranquil place to complete your Forest School Training.I have just finished my Level 3 Forest School Practitioner training with these guys. It was a complete joy and I learnt so much. Would highly recommend!!!

I have attended 1st week of OCN Level 3 course in October. Absolutely loved it from the very first session. The atmosphere was amazing and inspiring. Afric and Nick has been lovely and I felt fortunate to be able be part of this course. Everything I have lernt I will be able to use in my setting and with my own children.Looking forward to Week 2.

A genuinely transformative experienceForest school training with Nick and Afric was quite sincerely a transformative experience which I won’t forget in a hurry. Five days spent really engaging with people, with our surroundings, and with what it means to educate and inspire was massively rewarding and most of all so enjoyable. I met some one of a kind people, all different kinds of people, all receiving the training for different reasons and their varied perspectives and personalities made the week really eye opening. When I finished my first week people in my personal life were genuinely amazed at how enriched I seemed, I was telling people I felt two feet taller!Nick and Afric themselves are very experienced and knowledgable, they were a great resource to us all and also became great friends also. Their dog Larz was also a complete sweetheart which is a bonus.If you think Forest School leadership training might be something that you’d like to pursue, either for your career or just because you’d enjoy it, going through Nick and Afric at Forest Schools Birmingham will be a very enjoyable and educational path to do so.

Training to be a forest school practitioner with Afric and Nick has been a life changing experience for me in a good way.I have learnt to slow down and truly appreciate and respect nature. It has cemented in me the importance of revisiting my child like self and really instilling a love of nature and the outdoors in our children.The course empowers you as a FS leader to follow your path and tap into your own interests and skills which I love. I felt bereft when our training had finished and when we returned for our assessment week it was like coming home to family, where you feel accepted, welcome and valued.As a learner I was encouraged, guided, never criticised and empowered to take charge of my own learning in a safe and non judgemental environment, where we encourage others to succeed in their own unique way.If you are considering doing this training I would highly recommend it. Not only has it been amazing for me personally, but on a professional level too. Since rolling out FS to all year groups at my primary school I have had lots of positive comments and thank yous from parents. But the most important review is that of the children “Forest school is my favourite part of the week”. This one comment makes it all worth it!I love my Forest school family and will carry what I have learnt for a lifetime!

What a thoroughly fantastic two weeks I have had training to become a forest school practitioner with Afric and Nick at Forest Schools, Birmingham. It's not just their amazing professionalism, the engaging way they teach, but the warmth and welcome that you get when you go there. The woods are so beautiful, there is a lovely community feel about everything, you feel at ease immediately and never feel like you are being assessed, more nurtured and completely supported. While undertaking course work there is always a friendly email sent with some hints and tips and support and if you need a chat, you can always have one. I learnt so much while I was there and cannot recommend it highly enough. There's only one thing you may struggle with - when you get to forest school with Afric and Nick - you may never want to leave forest school!

Where do you even begin, when trying to explain how much of an impact the training from Forest Schools Birmingham has on you? You are constantly learning, yet never feel like you are in a classroom. And you are not just taught life skills, such as fire building, den making and tool talks! Afric & Nick continuously guide you to reach your full potential, and genuinely care about the affect you can have on future generations, with what they teach you. The support you get from them, and the other people in your group is unmatched. The shared experience of personal development brings the group together, and is something I will never forget. I hope everything I have learnt, and am yet to learn, makes Afric and Nick proud of the great work they do.