A place where young people find their confidence, their purpose and their future.

We are a specialist post-16 education centre for young people aged 16-25 with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. We help those who’ve been let down by the system find confidence, purpose and a path forward — through horses, outdoor learning and genuine care.

See if We're the Right Fit

Discover Who You Are

Explore What You Can Achieve

Build a Future You’re Proud Of

Who We Are

Not a school. Not a college. Something different.

We're a small, family-run academy on a 30-acre site in South Shropshire. No classrooms. No corridors. No bells. Just horses, open countryside and a team who genuinely care.

We work with 8 to 10 learners at a time so every programme can be built around the individual.

We go beyond qualifications — building the confidence, independence and life skills that open doors long after our learners leave.

Learn More About Us

Who We Help

Built for young people. Trusted by families and local authorities.

For young people ready for something different, parents searching for the right provision, and local authorities looking for a specialist they can trust.

How We Help

How we help young people grow.

Every part of our programme is designed to build the whole person, not just a CV.

Student Success Stories

Real progress. Real people. Foundations made to last.

A closer look at the journeys our learners have been on.

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Finding Belonging, Confidence and a Future

Two learners found belonging, confidence and a future here.

Rediscovering Confidence, Trust and a Love of Learning

BH’s Journey at Shropshire Adventures Academy.

A Young Person Rediscovering Confidence, Trust and Joy

Kaden left with newfound confidence & a future ahead of him.

From No Qualifications to BHS Award Winner.

George left with national awards and newfound confidence.

Testimonials

See what others have experienced.

What families and professionals say about Shropshire Adventures Academy.

"Dan played a huge part in kick‑starting Kaden’s life. He worked at Kaden’s pace, earned his trust, and helped him accept others around him. Kaden is now unrecognisable from the frightened boy he once was."

Parent

"Shropshire Adventures has been a complete game changer for us. I honestly don’t know where we would be without this amazing place."

Parent

"The fabulous setting and amazing staff have helped her to grow in confidence, self-belief and ability. Their philosophy is non-wavering and they are geared to see and help each person as an individual."

Parent

"Through the nurturing, encouraging, supportive and caring staff and environment here, Lily has thrived. Her confidence, independence and general well being has improved immensely."

Parent

"We don’t really know quite where to start when it comes to thanking you for the help you have given George over the past few years."

Parent

"The team is professional, dedicated, and inclusive - taking a holistic approach and having a deep understanding of the importance of emotional well-being and the part that horses can play."

British Horse Society

Parent

"Shropshire Adventures has been a complete game changer for us. I honestly don’t know where we would be without this amazing place."

Parent

"Through the nurturing, encouraging, supportive and caring staff and environment here, Lily has thrived. Her confidence, independence and general well being has improved immensely."

Parent

"We don’t really know quite where to start when it comes to thanking you for the help you have given George over the past few years."

Parent

"The team is professional, dedicated, and inclusive - taking a holistic approach and having a deep understanding of the importance of emotional well-being and the part that horses can play."

British Horse Society

Why Choose Us

Why families and local authorities choose us.

There are other providers. Here’s what makes us different.

Our Approach

Small by design

Eight to ten learners. Everyone is known, supported and never lost in the crowd.

30 acres of possibility

Woodland, lake, horses and open countryside. Learning happens out here, not in a classroom.

Trauma-informed

Every staff member understands trauma. Safety and trust come before anything else here.

Beyond qualifications

Qualifications matter. But confidence, independence and a future matter more.

Award-winning horses

Our riding centre is a national award winner. Exceptional horses, five days a week.

Family Run

A small, family-run team who genuinely invest and care in every learner and their future.

FAQs

Your questions, answered.

Everything you need to know about the academy, our approach and how to get started.

What exactly is Shropshire Adventures Academy?

We're a specialist post-16 education centre for young people aged 16 to 25 with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. We're small, family-run and based on a 30-acre site in South Shropshire. Learning happens outdoors, with horses, not in a classroom.

Is my child the right fit for the academy?

If your child has struggled in mainstream education, been out of school for a significant period or has experienced trauma, anxiety or emotional difficulties, they could be exactly who we work best with. Get in touch and we'll have an honest conversation about whether we can help.

Does my child need an EHCP to attend?

Yes. An Education, Health and Care Plan is required as the academy is funded through local authority EHCP budgets. If your child doesn't yet have one, get in touch and we can point you in the right direction.

What will my child actually do here?

Every timetable is different, but a typical week includes equine work and horse care, outdoor education, one to one functional skills, preparing for adulthood sessions and personal development activities. Five days a week, every week, term time.

Do they need experience with horses or the outdoors?

Not at all. Most of our learners have never been near a horse before they arrive. We start from scratch and build at each individual's pace.

How do I find out if there's a place available?

Simply get in touch by email or phone. We will respond to every enquiry personally within 24 hours and will talk you through everything from there.

What is your specialism?

We specialise in post-16 provision for young people with social, emotional and mental health difficulties, particularly those who've experienced trauma. We are not a generalist SEND provider. Our entire model is built around trauma-informed education delivered through outdoor and equine learning.

How many learners do you work with?

We work with a maximum of 8 to 10 learners at any one time. This is a deliberate decision that allows us to provide genuinely individualised programmes and the kind of relationships that produce real outcomes.

What is your attendance and retention record?

We have zero dropouts and zero placement breakdowns. Once a learner is placed with us, they engage and they stay. We proactively manage any issues before they escalate.

What qualifications can learners achieve?

Learners work towards nationally recognised qualifications including BHS Changing Lives Through Horses, BHS Stage 1 and 2, functional skills from Entry Level to Level 2, personal development awards and outdoor qualifications including Emergency First Aid and Water Rescue Awareness.

How do you evidence progress against EHCP targets?

Every programme is built around individual EHCP outcomes from day one. We document progress continuously and communicate proactively throughout the year, not just at annual review.

How do we make a referral?

Contact Dan directly by email or phone with the learner's EHCP and a brief overview of their situation. We'll respond within 24 hours to discuss suitability and next steps.

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