Over 11 Woodland Skills programme.
Welcome to the Young Forest Skills Programme
A year-round outdoor learning journey designed for young people aged 11–16 who want to build real-life woodland skills, grow confidence, and deepen their connection with nature.
Led by two highly experienced Forest School Leaders, this programme blends bushcraft, conservation, leadership skills, practical tool use, and the option to gain an accredited OCN Level 1 qualification.
Who This Is For?
This programme is perfect for:
✔ Young people who love being outdoors
✔ Young people looking to advance their Forest School Experince.
✔ Teens needing confidence, focus, or resilience
✔ Complete beginners curious about outdoor skills
✔ Anyone who thrives learning through hands-on, practical activities in a woodland setting
Programme Structure
A steady, supportive programme designed to build real-world outdoor capability, confidence and independence.
Fortnightly Fridays • All Year (excluding Christmas & Easter)
Time: 10:30 – 14:30
Location: Baggeridge Country Park
Group size: Maximum 12 students
Ratio: 1:6 with two Forest School Leaders
Skills They’ll Learn
• Safe use of at least 5 woodland tools (knife, bow saw, axe, loppers, hand drills, billhook)
• Fire lighting & management + safe disposal
• Cooking nutritious foods on an open fire
• Erecting shelters using tarps & natural materials
• Knot tying (minimum 4 knots + real-world applications)
• Tool cleaning & maintenance
• Woodland management & conservation practices
• Identifying flora and fauna
• Practical tasks including hedge laying and coppicing
• Understanding environmental risk & keeping themselves and others safe