Overview

LASER’s Forest School suite comprises the following qualifications:

LASER Level 1 Award in Forest School Ethos and Principles *
LASER Level 2 Award for Forest School Assistants
LASER Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders.

The Level 1 Award in Introduction to Forest School Principles introduces the Forest School philosophy. The Level 2 Award in Forest School Programme Support covers the skills required to support Forest School Leaders in an assistant role. The Level 3 Certificate in Forest School Programme Leadership develops the knowledge and skills required to plan and lead groups in Forest School programmes.

LASER is approved by and meets the requirements of the Forest School Association, the professional body for Forest School in the UK.

* A new qualification will be available from 01/09/2026. The current Level 1 Award is being replaced. The withdrawal date and last date to register learners is 31/08/26. The last certification date is 31/08/28.

Key Benefits

Suitable for young people, youth workers, teaching assistants, teachers and anyone else with an interest in teaching and learning in the outdoors
The LASER Level 1 Award in Forest School Ethos and Principles introduces the Forest School philosophy and to the benefits of learning in the outdoors
The LASER Level 2 Award for Forest School Assistants covers the knowledge and skills required to support qualified Forest School Leaders when conducting Forest School outdoor programmes and activities
The LASER Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders offers an opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills required to plan and lead groups in Forest School programmes and activities
Registrations can be made at any time during the year
The Level 3 qualification attracts 8 UCAS points*
Evidence log templates available.
* Universities and colleges set their own entry requirements and do not have to accept a qualification simply because it is included in the UCAS Tariff tables.

Qualification Title	Ofqual Code	Credit Value	Guided Learning Hours	Total Qualification Time
LASER Level 1 Award in Forest School Ethos and Principles	603/2810/1	3	25	30
Qualification specifications Rules of Combination To achieve the LASER Level 1 Award in Forest School Ethos and Principles the learner must achieve the 3 credit single mandatory unit.
LASER Level 2 Award for Forest School Assistants	603/2811/3	7	54	70
Qualification specifications Rules of Combination To achieve the LASER Level 2 Award for Forest School Assistants the learner must achieve the 2 mandatory units, totalling 7 credits.
LASER Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders	603/2812/5	18	96	180
Qualification specifications Rules of Combination To achieve the LASER Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders the learner must achieve all 5 mandatory units, totalling 18 credits.

There are no specific entry requirements, except for a minimum age of 14 years for Level 1, 18 years for Level 2 and 19+ for Level 3. Please note that the Forest School Association and the Department for Education require a minimum age of 18 for Forest School Assistants and a minimum age of 21 for Forest School Leaders in employment.

Range of assessment methods
Tasks designed by centres
Portfolio of evidence compiled by learners to show they have met each unit assessment criteria
Internally assessed
Internally quality assured
Externally quality assured

Back to qualifications

Talk to us!

If you have a query, feel free to contact us using the form below, and we'll get back to you.

Unit title	LASER Unit code	Ofqual Unit code	Credit value	Unit level	Sector
Supporting a Forest School Programme: Learning and Development To be withdrawn. Last day for registration 31/8/26	WJG199	D/616/8063	4	L2	3.2 Horticulture and Forestry	View unit
Supporting a Forest School Programme: Learning and Development NEW! First day for registration 1/9/26	WJI005	T/651/9211	4	L2	3.2 Horticulture and Forestry	View unit
Supporting a Forest School Programme: Practical Skills To be withdrawn. Last day for registration 31/8/26	WJG200	H/616/8064	3	L3	3.2 Horticulture and Forestry	View unit
Supporting a Forest School Programme: Practical Skills NEW! First day for registration 1/9/26	WJI006	Y/651/9212	3	L3	3.2 Horticulture and Forestry	View unit

Unit title	LASER Unit code	Ofqual Unit code	Credit value	Unit level	Sector
Forest School Programme: Delivery NEW! First day for registration 18/12/17 To be withdrawn. Last day for registration 31/8/26	WJG201	R/616/8058	3	L3	3.2 Horticulture and Forestry	View unit
Forest School Programme: Delivery NEW! First day for registration 1/9/26	WJI007	A/651/9213	3	L3	3.2 Horticulture and Forestry	View unit
Forest School Programme: Learning and Development NEW! First day for registration 18/12/17 To be withdrawn. Last day for registration 31/8/26	WJG202	Y/616/8059	6	L3	3.2 Horticulture and Forestry	View unit
Forest School Programme: Learning and Development NEW! First day for registration 1/9/26	WJI008	D/651/9214	6	L3	3.2 Horticulture and Forestry	View unit
Forest School Programme: Planning and Preparation NEW! First day for registration 18/12/17 To be withdrawn. Last day for registration 31/8/26	WJG203	L/616/8060	3	L3	3.2 Horticulture and Forestry	View unit
Forest School Programme: Planning and Preparation NEW! First day for registration 1/9/26	WJI009	F/651/9215	3	L3	3.2 Horticulture and Forestry	View unit
Forest School Programme: Practical Skills NEW! First day for registration 18/12/17 To be withdrawn. Last day for registration 31/8/26	WJG204	R/616/8061	3	L3	3.2 Horticulture and Forestry	View unit
Forest School Programme: The Woodland Environment NEW! First day for registration 18/12/17 To be withdrawn. Last day for registration 31/8/26	WJG205	Y/616/8062	3	L3	3.2 Horticulture and Forestry	View unit
Forest School Programme: Woodland as a Learning Environment NEW! First day for registration 1/9/26	WJI011	J/651/9217	3	L3	3.2 Horticulture and Forestry	View unit
Supporting a Forest School Programme: Practical Skills NEW! First day for registration 1/9/26	WJI010	H/651/9216	3	L3	3.2 Horticulture and Forestry	View unit

Forest School

Overview

Key Benefits

Talk to us!

News and Events

Qualification Focus: Gardening for Pleasure

Qualification Focus: Fitness Units

Qualification Focus: Cooking Units

Our use of cookies

Necessary cookies

Analytics cookies