603/2994/4 - NOCN Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders- Important Adaptation to Assessment

The following adaptation to the unit Forest School Programme: Delivery (R/616/9002) has been agreed by awarding organisations and the Forest School Association.

The FSA supports special considerations for learners impacted by Covid and whose ‘Introduction to Forest School programme’ for Assessment Criteria 1.1 of the Delivery Unit was interrupted by the lockdown. In line with the Forest School ethos and principles centres may adapt Assessment Plans as follows;

· Where learners have delivered five of the six required sessions* and planned the sixth, this will be accepted, along with evidence of a reflective dialogue with the assessor.

· If learners have delivered less than five sessions, but continue with the same group of participants after lockdown, this will be considered part of the same programme. The programme will still be six sessions although the sessions are not continuous*, as is required during normal circumstances.

· If learners are unable to deliver sessions with the same group of participants then they are to restart the programme with a new group as soon as conditions allow. An extension to deadlines is recommended to support these learners.

· Where the learner’s training has been interrupted and the learner has not yet started delivery of the ‘Introduction to Forest School programme’ then they will be required to plan and deliver the full six sessions required in the Assessment Criteria.

The FSA recommends these adaptations so that assessment still reflects the depth of knowledge required to safely and effectively lead Forest School Programmes, distinct from other learning approaches.
These adaptations are a response to the specific assessment needs of only those learners impacted directly by Covid19.

*for definitions of ‘continuous’ and ‘sessions’ see Indicative Content in the Qualification Guide