What Are Forest Schools. ‘A Forest School is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning.’. The philosophy of Forest Schools is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences.orest School programmes run throughout the year, for about 36 weeks, going to the woods in all weathers (except for high winds). Children use full sized tools, play, learn boundaries of behaviour; both physical and social, establish and grow in confidence, self-esteem and become self motivated.