Harness Change
Harness Change at Cumbria Rural Academy CIC delivers alternative education and wellbeing-focused learning for young people who benefit from a practical, outdoor, and relationship-led approach to education. Based at Bigland Hall, the provision uses equine learning as a purposeful and engaging context to help learners rebuild confidence, develop life and employability skills, and re-engage with education. The programme works with young people aged 14–25, many of whom have SEND or SEMH needs and may not be thriving in a traditional classroom setting. Through a partnership with Haddon Training, learners are able to work towards recognised qualifications in horse care, employability, and personal progress, while also developing their functional skills in English and maths through meaningful, real-world activities linked to the industry.
More about the Harness Change
Harness Change delivers a trauma-informed and person-centred approach to learning, delivered in small groups with consistent staffing to create a stable and supportive environment. Education and curriculum learning are intentionally embedded throughout the day and overseen by a CertEd-qualified lead, ensuring that learning outcomes are structured, accessible, and aligned with each learner’s individual needs. Learners are also supported through access to a qualified therapist, which helps promote emotional regulation, wellbeing, and positive engagement with learning. Harness Change provides a calm and nurturing setting where young people can experience success, take responsibility, and develop a sense of purpose, supporting them to progress towards further education, training, or employment with greater confidence.
Where are they based?
Find them at:
Harness Change,
Bigland Hall Equine,
Brow Edge,
Haverthwaite,
Cumbria,
LA12 8PB
You can also call on: 01539 530333
Or email: bookings@biglandhall.com
Available courses
Harness Change currently offer Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications in Work-Based Horse Care.
The guides below contain more information on these courses.
There is a lot of information, so if you would prefer to speak to someone about these courses on the phone, please call us on 01672 519977.
We would love to hear from people interested in taking these courses, their families or from local authorities looking to support them.
Level 1 in Work-Based Horse Care
Guidance on the course, and what it involves.
Level 2 in Work-Based Horse Care
Guidance on the course, and what it involves.
" Partnering with Haddon Training allows us to combine accredited vocational qualifications with the relational, outdoor and wellbeing-led approach that sits at the heart of Harness Change. Together, we’re creating meaningful education pathways that re-engage young people and support real progression. "
After the course
People who take a course will learn new skills and get a qualification.
They can chose to do another course, or look for a job doing what they have learnt.
Alternative Provision - Questions and Answers
The length of the course depends on the person taking it, their needs and what course they are interested in.
Some courses can also have different things to learn at different levels too.
If you are unsure if your local authority will pay, please get in touch and we can help to guide you, alongside the companies we work with to give the training.
These courses are made for those who found school hard. The learning is done is small pieces and is made for you to understand. You will have support from experienced people who know how to help you and want you to succeed. Everything about the course is made for you so that you can get experience doing something you enjoy.
Animals including horses have been proven to increase levels of happiness and well-being. Being around animals and learning to take care of them enables people to develop skills of empathy and understanding.