Q&A with Aim High: Horse care qualifications for SEND

We are delighted to announce our partnership with Aim High UK, offering an alternative education pathway for young people aged 14–25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) in Milton Keynes and surrounding areas.

Based at Ride High Equestrian Centre, Aim High UK delivers hands-on, equine-based learning that helps individuals re-engage with education, build confidence, and gain an industry-recognised Level 1 Horse Care qualification. We spoke to Frances Murray, Alternative Education Provision Manager at Aim High UK, to learn more about their work and this exciting new partnership with Haddon Training.

I am the Alternative Education Provision Manager at Aim High UK, a new role where I draw on more than 20 years of experience in the education, land-based, and equestrian sectors to oversee our AEP venture.

Aim High UK is based at Ride High Equestrian Centre – a riding school in Milton Keynes that also supports the charity Ride High, which provides opportunities around horses for vulnerable and disadvantaged children. Profits from Aim High UK go directly to Ride High, helping them continue their vital work.

I had previously worked with Haddon Training at another centre and built a strong relationship with the team. Ride High Equestrian Centre has also partnered with Haddon for many years through its successful apprenticeship scheme at Levels 2 and 3. It felt like the natural next step for Aim High UK to collaborate with Haddon and provide a structured pathway for our learners.

Haddon Training’s recognised qualifications are a perfect fit for our setting, and together we are able to deliver a tailored education option that truly meets the needs of young people with SEND.

Many of the students we see are Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) or require support for Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. We aim to provide an opportunity to gain confidence in a supportive and effective learning environment for them to gain skills in a way that suits them best. 

Through the Level 1 Horse Care qualification, learners not only gain practical equine skills but also develop transferable life skills such as responsibility, teamwork, and resilience. These are vital building blocks for their futures, whether in further education, training, or employment.

Through our programme we aim to give our students transferable life skills that can be used across a variety of situations as they continue to progress with their lives away from Aim High UK.

We want to become a trusted pathway for Local Authorities to refer students who need a more personalised learning environment. Our partnership with Haddon Training enables us to offer local students who need extra support – or who may not thrive in a traditional school setting – the chance to gain recognised industry qualifications and valuable experience to support future employment. Alongside equine knowledge, we aim to empower students with transferable life skills they can carry forward, helping them to flourish and thrive in a variety of environments.

In the long term, Aim High UK plans to expand its reach with the support of Haddon Training, opening more sites to increase opportunities for learners and the wider community. Importantly, profits from our Alternative Education Provision go directly to Ride High, ensuring that vulnerable and disadvantaged children in the local area continue to benefit from equine experiences.

Drop-in Information Sessions:

Programme Start Dates:

Ride High Equestrian Centre
Redland Drive.
Loughton, Milton Keynes, MK5 8AA

To apply, contact Aim High:
📞 01908 666434
📧 education@aimhighuk.co.uk

For more information about our Alternative Provision, click here.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here.