The taught elements of the course comprise 70 hours and we deliver that over 4 blocks. These are usually Fridays and Saturdays 9.00am – 4.30pm. Students must be available for all the taught elements of the course. In between sessions and beyond there is a good deal of work to prepare with a notional 110 additional hours of learning of own time (equivalent of 2 hours per week over a year approx.) We have designed the course to be completed within 12 months. The next FOLA 8 will commence in September 2025 and the in-person days will comprise: Block 1 Fri 5 & Sat 6 September Block 2 Fri 3 & Sat 4 October Block 3 Fri 31 Oct & Sat 1November Block 4 Fri 5 & Sat 6 December Block 5 Fri 27 February 2026 Block 6 Fri 12 June 2026 Plus Outdoor First Aid dates tbc (unless you have a valid outdoor FA certificate) The units cover your own understanding of the following as well as how you facilitate learning for others in: 1. Being in the forest and outdoors: Nature connection, Scottish outdoor access, responsible behaviour and safe practice 2. Knowing the forest and outdoors: the woodlands and outdoor habitats – species identification and sustainable site use 3. Working in the forest and outdoors: in the outdoors – tool use, fire making, cordage and knots, cooking 4. Making in the forest and outdoors: shelter building, woodcraft, visual art, imaginative responses 5. Learning: understanding of ethos, behaviour and theoretical approaches to learning and teaching in the outdoors 6. Leading in the forest and outdoors: leadership, decision making, community and team building 7. Managing in the forest and outdoors: implementation and management of a 6 week forest school programme, observation and recommendations for 3 learners 8. Legal Compliance: demonstrate understanding and application of legal compliance, risk assessment, insurance, relevant policies