About Forest Schools

Forest Schools and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust

How Forest Schools has developed in Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull, supported by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust

Forest Schools began in Warwickshire supported by the County Council (see Warwickshire pages) in partnership with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.  In 2006, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust was successful in bidding for a Heritage Lottery Grant in partnership with Warwickshire County Council, Coventry City Council and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council for a £327,000, three year project. The project, which began in 2007, recruited three Forest Schools coordinators for the three areas. These coordinators have worked to promote Forest Schools in the three areas and encourage educational professionals to train to become Forest Schools leaders.

Over the three years of the project 90 new Forest School leaders have been trained.

The training has been conducted in partnership with Evesham and Malvern Hills College and Cambium Sustainable Landscapes and Training. In 2009 Warwickshire Wildlife Trust registered as an Open College Network approved training centre and now delivers Forest School leader training with suitably qualified and experienced staff.

Beyond the Lottery funding, Forest Schools in the local area continues to grow. Warwickshire Wildlife Trust have an on-going commitment to delivering Forest Schools training and supporting 'apprentice' Forest School leaders to qualify. We also run a series of continuous professional development courses which will support new and existing Forest School leaders, give them new ideas and help to build their confidence.

If you are from Warwickshire, Coventry or Solihull and would like to know more specific information about your local picture, please visit the Our Centres area of our website.