Forest School Learning Initiative

Forest School Learning Initiative (FSLI) was set up in 2006 by Christina Dee to take her experience of developing Forest School training in a further education college to a new audience.

At the college, Chris' experience included working with groups of children as well as child care students and students up to 19 years with learning difficulties. In addition, Chris was responsible for developing the forest school curriculum, training around 1500 Forest School Leaders locally and in Greenwich.

From the beginning, FSLI has continued to carry out forest school sessions with children, aged 3-18 years -with the main focus on primary years - and all members of the FSLI training team lead regular weekly sessions in local schools.

In 2007, FSLI was recognised as a Forest School training provider by NOCN, and has since trained more than 900 Level 3 Forest School Leaders and supported them to develop and implement forest school in their settings.

Feedback from FSLI training courses has been exceptional, with the team consistently achieving a 95% completion rate and receiving positive feedback from students.

Our model of training is an educationalist one, centred on the forest school approach and ethos to facilitate and promote children’s learning. Although ecological and environmental issues are thoroughly covered, the focus is on children’s learning at all key stages, and their play experiences using the outdoors. All FSLI practitioners hold current DBS checks and First Aid at Work qualifications.

Training across England

FSLI trains students all over England, and has developed particular expertise in London boroughs (including Hackney, Greenwich, Lewisham, Bexley, Bromley, Southwark, Tower Hamlets) and inner city locations, as well as more rural settings. Regular FSLI training courses are also held in Bristol, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Cheshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, Manchester, Birmingham, Warwickshire, Hertfordshire and Berkshire.