The Tideford stable yard where donkeys help children learn again

The classroom has a periodic table on one wall, a times tables chart on another, and a horse watching through the bars of the next stall.

This is The Learning Paddocks in Tideford, South East Cornwall, an outdoor alternative education and enrichment provision for children and young people who find traditional school hard going. And it has just reached a couple of milestones its founder is keen to share.

A different way into learning

The Learning Paddocks was set up to give a supportive, practical place to learn for young people who face barriers to mainstream education.

The learners it works with have a range of additional needs, including autism, ADHD, social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties, anxiety and emotionally based school avoidance.

Instead of relying only on classroom lessons, the team uses animal care, horticulture, creative projects and outdoor activities to build confidence, independence, communication skills and positive relationships.

Grooming, gardens and maths in the feed room

The setting is home to horses, donkeys and other animals, and they sit at the centre of the practical learning.

Founder and CEO Archie Hill said something as simple as grooming a donkey can help a young person develop responsibility, patience and communication. Preparing animal feed, managing the stables or working in the gardens brings in mathematics, problem-solving and everyday life skills.

“We believe education should recognise individual strengths and provide opportunities for young people to experience success in ways that are meaningful to them,” he said.

The team at the yard

Archie set up the provision after working in education himself. His background includes supporting young people with SEND and SEMH needs, and working as a Lead Functional Skills Tutor teaching English and maths, where he says he achieved exceptional first-time pass rates. He also holds a BA (Hons) in Sociology/Psychology, along with teaching, assessment and counselling skills qualifications.

“Through my previous roles, I saw first-hand how capable young people could struggle within traditional educational environments, and I wanted to create somewhere that offered a different approach,” he said.

He is joined by Designated Safeguarding Lead and Tutor Kate Hill, who has more than 30 years of nursing experience, including specialist clinical work in ADHD, neurodevelopmental conditions and mental health. Kate is an Independent Nurse Prescriber and was awarded the Queen’s Nurse title in 2020.

Yard Manager Casey Prescott brings experience in coaching, personal development and practical learning, along with what Archie calls a remarkable ability to build positive relationships with learners. Tutor and Learner Support Tamsin May brings creative skills in arts, crafts and textiles, and experience supporting people with additional needs.

An approved provider, and a mention in Parliament

The Learning Paddocks has been accepted onto Cornwall Council‘s Approved Provider List for community-based, out-of-school alternative education. Archie described it as an important step forward for the provision.

The yard also recently welcomed South East Cornwall MP Anna Gelderd and Cornwall Councillor Kate Ewert, who visited to talk about the provision’s work and the challenges facing alternative education providers in rural communities.

After the visit, Anna mentioned The Learning Paddocks during a parliamentary debate on SEND provision in rural areas, raising the importance of supporting suitable educational opportunities closer to home.

“It’s been encouraging to see growing interest in the work we’re doing, particularly as a small, independently established provision,” Archie said.

Progress looks different for every learner

The aim now is to keep developing The Learning Paddocks into a welcoming place for young people and families across Cornwall.

For some learners, progress means practical skills, more confidence or working towards educational goals. For others, Archie said, simply feeling comfortable enough to turn up, build trusting relationships and start engaging with education again can be a significant achievement.

He is particularly keen to reach families who may not know options like this exist, and says anyone interested is welcome to visit, meet the team and find out more about the approach.

More details are on The Learning Paddocks website.