Education
This is Ireland's first nationally accredited Forest School qualification. Learners build a deep understanding of the ethos, principles and benefits of Forests School while gaining woodland ecology skills and the practical skills needed by Forest School Leaders. The training is rooted in nature connection, place-based learning and folklore. Participants gain the skills necessary to begin designing, delivering and evaluating their own forest school programmes.
It runs over the course of a year, through ten in-person days, three webinars, self-guided learning and a pilot project. The programme is open to a wide range of learners, including teachers, early years educators, youth workers, environmental educators, outdoor instructors and community practitioners. Brigid Gardens, Galway oversee this Level 6 QQI course, which is run at various locations around the country including Kildare and Kerry.
History of Forest School training in Ireland
The development of high-quality Forest School training has been central to the growth of the Forest School movement in Ireland. Since 2013, aspiring Forest School Leaders accessed professional training through two Irish organisations. Forest School Ireland, working in partnership with Circle of Life Rediscovery, and Down to Earth Forest School, in partnership with Huathe, delivered programmes leading to the Open College Network (OCN) Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders, an accreditation awarded through the UK. Many Irish Forest School Leaders hold this qualification.
As Forest School continued to grow in Ireland, the need for a nationally recognised qualification became increasingly evident. In response, the Irish Forest School Association (IFSA) collaborated with Brigit's Garden and a team of experienced Forest School practitioners to develop an Irish qualification that reflected both international Forest School principles and the Irish cultural context.
This work culminated in a significant milestone in April 2023, when the QQI Level 6 Certificate in Forest School Leadership was validated. Positioned at Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), it became Ireland's first nationally accredited qualification specifically in Forest School Leadership.
The Level 6 Certificate combines immersive practical training with educational theory, child development, woodland ecology, risk-benefit assessment, leadership, and reflective practice. Learners also plan and deliver a supervised Forest School programme, ensuring that graduates leave with both a nationally recognised qualification and the practical experience required to lead safe, learner-centred and long-term Forest School programmes.
The Scaip Project is a teacher-led initiative that helps schools make outdoor learning a meaningful and sustainable part of education. It demonstrates how regular experiences in nature can support the Irish Primary Curriculum Framework while enhancing children's wellbeing, creativity and connection with the natural world. The vision is that every child in Ireland should have the opportunity to learn, play and thrive in nature as an integral part of their education and healthy development.
The Scaip Project is a teacher-led initiative that helps schools make outdoor learning a meaningful and sustainable part of education. It demonstrates how regular experiences in nature can support the Irish Primary Curriculum Framework while enhancing children's wellbeing, creativity and connection with the natural world. The vision is that every child in Ireland should have the opportunity to learn, play and thrive in nature as an integral part of their education and healthy development.
Its website, Nature Based Learning, is a resource hub for teachers, principals and Forest School Leaders, offering practical guidance, curriculum links, planning tools, downloadable resources, FAQs and inspiring examples from practice. It continues to expand professional learning opportunities through Nature-Based Learning CPDs and resources, helping teachers build confidence outdoors and supporting schools to develop long-term, sustainable approaches to outdoor education.
The Irish Forest School Association welcomes initiatives such as The Scaip Project, which are helping to strengthen and grow the Forest School community across Ireland.
To explore resources, read the Forest Fridays eBook, or learn more about The Scaip Project, visit Nature Based Learning.
Coill na bPáistí
Coill na bPáistí (‘Children’s Forest’ as Gaeilge) is an approach to growing woodlands with children, for nature and for future generations of all species.
Rooted in Forest School values, this approach brings children and their communities into the heart of the process of woodland planting. Through nature connection practices, sharing of ecological wisdom, play and creativity communities are inspired to begin a long-term journey towards nature restoration.
Transform the vision of a healthy world for the future generations into reality
Continuous Professional Development - CPD
Principle 6 – Continuing Professional Development - Forest School is led by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.
We recommend that all Forest School Leaders undertake at least one day of CPD each year and keep a record of their learning and development.