Student Success

'A Determined Jockey'

Who would have thought that our very own school refuser would end up at Newmarket Jockey School- voted best student.

Just proof that from having never ridden to employment doesn't have to be just a dream!

Lenny started AP with us from a pupil referral unit and very quickly established a true love for the horses. Over time it became clear that our environment was somewhere that Lenny could flourish and has since moved on to working on a bloodstock yard as a jockey. He still keeps in touch and visits every holiday.

'A Dedicated Student'

George has been attending Country Treks for over 2yrs to complete his BHS Exams and Awards.
During this time he has completed in full the BHS Bronze and Silver Challenge Awards, he has also achieved his BHS Stage 1 Ride and Care, BHS Stage 2 Ride and Care and his BHS Ride Safe. George also won the BHS Changing Lives award in recognition of his achievements.
George came to us having spent most of his adult life at home, he was nervous of new situations and struggled to interact with other people. Although he had a pony of his own at home, he had no equestrian qualifications what so ever, so it is all the more to be congratulated that he has not only achieved an excellent start to his BHS qualifications but also on a personal level he feels confident and comfortable within himself and around others.
George has started his work in preparation for his BHS Stage 2 Trek Leader exams later on in the year and has really taken a shine and good understanding of what it takes to be a Trek Leader.

'A Total Transformation'

Caitlin came to us at County Treks as part of the Short Breaks All In package on a Sunday. At that time Caitlin was not attending school, having been diagnosed with autism and was really struggling to find herself. She was also non verbal!
Caitlin found herself in a transition school placement and between them and ourselves we managed to secure a place one day a week where Caitlin could really learn about the horses, educationally and also therapeutically.
Caitlin’s confidence and level of understanding excelled our expectations. She consistently wanted to achieve more and more. She was awarded a national certificate of recognition by the BHS for completing her Changing Lives booklet and starting her Bronze Challenge Awards.
Caitlin has flourished, started attending college full time and completed her BHS Awards she is now verbal, absolutely in-love with horses, and has sat 9 GCSE’s in her final year next year at Bettws Lifehouse School Shrewsbury!!
Caitlin regularly comes to visit us (and Della) and is bounding with a new found confidence.

'Against All The Odds'

Sarah had a very difficult and traumatic upbringing.
She attended us from a care home, by her own admission she could be rude, abrupt and had little respect for adults.
Originally it was an hour horse ride but quickly she became more responsive and really became passionate about all aspects of equine life.

At the beginning she was frustrated "I can't do it" but her love for the horses and her connection with the staff allowed her to overcome these negative self effacing thoughts. Fast forward 2yrs and Sarah has just left us with a raft of qualifications including her BHS Stage 1, PDQ Level 2 and the most important thing is Sarah is a warm, vibrant, caring young lady who won BHS Changing Lives Student of the Year for her extraordinary tenacity and overcoming all the odds. We are so proud of this young lady and hope she continues to thrive in her new endeavours.

'A Diamond In The Rough'

Hard as nails, tough and defensive to heart of gold with warmth and empathy... what a journey Paige has been on!
A referral from Virtual Schools (Dudley) and a headmaster who literally did not know what else to do with her.

We are proud to say that Paige has not only achieved a bucket load of qualifications (right up to BHS Stage 2) but more importantly she has learnt how to respond and act in different environments. It is never a suprise to find Paige having a nice chat and making a cup of tea for one of our customers.

We are now assisting her in the next phase of her qualifications including preparing her for adulthood and employment.

'Alternative Provision to Apprentice'

Oscar struggled at school and had a reputation for being difficult and would often abscond, this meant his family had no idea what pathway he could take, he clearly had no interest in college and his family were very worried as he had such an uncertain future. Fast forward, a young lad presents himself for voluntary work cutting the grass, during this period we organised Oscar an academy place where he went on to get numerous qualification in the outdoor adventure industry but it was not just the certificates that earnt him his placement.
It was his personal development from a shy, awkward teenager to a charming, engaging adult.
As a result of attending the Shropshire Adventures Academy we discovered Oscars true love for everything that is outdoors.
"It just feels like home!"

After a substantial time gaining qualifications and lots of work experience, his hard working and positive attitude led us to offer him employment.
Oscar is a shining example of what you can achieve at Shropshire Adventures Academy.