About us

Hi, my name is Victoria Hofgartner, and I am the owner of Silverwoods Forest School.

I’m also a mum to Sterling, my adventurous and nature-loving son who inspires me every day.

I am creative, strong-willed, and passionate about helping children and adults tune into nature.

My mission is to create a world where people are more connected to one another and the outdoors, and less tied to the stresses of modern life.

💚 Everyone needs a little nature in their lives. It feeds the soul!

My Experience

I began my Forest School journey in 2015, giving me 10 years of experience in this field.

Qualifications & Training

Level 3 Forest School Practitioner (Archimedes – Forest School Education)
Designated Safeguarding Lead (TQUK Level 2 in Safeguarding, Prevent & British Values, 2021)
Paediatric & Outdoor First Aid qualified
Fully insured with £5 million Public Liability Insurance
Enhanced DBS on the update service
Level 2 Award in Food Safety

I have several years of experience as a nanny, in local schools, and running Forest School programmes across Surrey and West Sussex.

My work includes:

Pyrford Primary C of E School • Little Acorns Day Nursery, Cobham • Little Hearts Nursery, Cranleigh • Little Oaks, Leatherhead • Aston Pierpoint Nursery, Hampton • The Nursery School, Charlwood • St Andrew’s, Cobham • St Matthew’s C of E, Downside, Cobham • The Weald C of E Primary School, Dorking • Warren Mead Infant & Junior School, Banstead

I’ve also assisted in sessions for other Forest Schools across Surrey and London, including children with additional needs and disabilities.

Alongside this, I hold a deep passion for wild food foraging.

I trained with Di Hammill (Wild Harvest School) to teach sustainable foraging, and I love to cook and share wild foods over the campfire.