The Orchard Equine & Land-Based College

🌳 The next step looks different for everyone...

September brings a lot of new beginnings at Orchard and we're equally proud of the journeys continuing beyond our gates.

Some of our Post-16 learners are returning to take the next step in their equine education, progressing onto Level 2 and Level 3 Horse Care and Management.

Some of our Alternative Provision learners have successfully transitioned back into school or moved on to a new education setting.

Others are beginning a completely new venture and taking the skills and confidence they've developed at Orchard with them.

And that's exactly what progression should look like.

The goal has never been to keep a learner at Orchard for as long as possible.

It's to help them get to the point where they're ready for their next step.

For some, that's a higher-level qualification with us. For another, it's returning to school. For someone else, it's moving into a new setting, further education, training or something entirely different.

Behind each of those transitions are achievements that don't always appear on a certificate .Confidence rebuilt, relationships formed, anxieties managed, attendance improved, independence developed and a young person beginning to recognise what they're capable of.

We're incredibly proud of the learners returning to us this September.

And we're just as proud of those who aren't , because they're ready for what comes next.

Whatever the destination, that's the outcome we're working towards.

🌳🍎 Growing Confidence. Growing Skills. Growing Futures.

Part Time Yard & Equine Support Assistant

The Orchard Equine & Land Based College
Thorpe in Balne, Doncaster
Monday, Tuesday & Friday
8:00am–1:00pm
15 hours per week

We’re looking for an experienced, reliable horse person to join our team and support the day to day care of our horses and running of our yard.

This is a hands on role, and substantial practical experience working with and handling horses is essential. You must be confident carrying out normal yard duties safely and to a high standard.

The role will include:

- Feeding, watering and general horse care
- Mucking out and maintaining stables
- Turning out and bringing in
- Catching, leading and handling horses
- Grooming
- Monitoring horse health and welfare
- Keeping the yard, stables and equipment clean, organised and safe
- Preparing horses and the yard for learner sessions
- Supporting high standards of equine welfare across the college

We’re looking for someone who is confident and competent around horses, dependable, observant and happy working outdoors in all weathers.

You’ll need a good understanding of equine care, welfare and safe working practices, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of our wider team.

Relevant equine qualifications are desirable, but substantial practical horse experience and safe, competent handling are essential.

As The Orchard is an educational setting, you’ll also be working around young people. A calm, professional and appropriate approach is therefore important.

Experience working with young people or within an educational setting would be an advantage, but training and support can be provided.

Safeguarding

The Orchard is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Appointment will be subject to our safer recruitment procedures, including appropriate DBS and pre-employment checks, satisfactory references and verification of the successful applicant’s right to work in the UK.

Interested?

Please email your CV and a short introduction outlining your experience working with horses and on equine yards to:

📧 [email protected]

Please share with anyone who might be a great fit for The Orchard! 🐴🌳

We are looking for our Next Team Member
Role: Reins & Roots Equine Learning Practitioner

The Orchard Equine & Land Based College
📍 Thorpe in Balne, Doncaster, DN6 0DZ
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
10am–5pm - 21 hours per week

The Orchard is looking for a qualified and experienced horse person to join our team and support the delivery of Reins & Roots, our bespoke equine based personal development and learning programme.

This is much more than delivering horse care activities.

Reins & Roots uses meaningful learning alongside horses to help young people develop practical equine skills alongside confidence, communication, emotional regulation, resilience, independence, responsibility, life skills and preparation for adulthood.

Learners may have SEND/SEMH needs or have experienced barriers to traditional education. Our approach is trauma informed, relationship based and centred around emotional safety and respect for both learners and horses.

We're looking for someone who:
- Holds a relevant recognised equine qualification
- Has substantial hands on experience working with and handling horses
-Is confident in equine care, welfare and stable management
- Can work safely and confidently with horses and young people
- Is patient, calm, encouraging and able to build positive relationships
- Understands that learning can happen through practical experiences
- Can support learners to develop wider life, independence and employability skills
- Can observe and record learner progress
- Is willing to learn and consistently deliver The Orchard's Reins & Roots approach
- Has the right to work in the UK

Experience supporting young people with SEND and/or SEMH, particularly within alternative provision, would be desirable, as would an understanding of trauma-informed practice. However, we recognise that the right person may not have experience in every area, and training and ongoing support will be provided.

About the role

You'll work alongside our existing team to support young people through structured equine based learning.

Alongside developing horse care skills, you'll help learners build skills for adult life including communication, organisation, decision making, teamwork, responsibility, problem solving, independence and workplace behaviours. Reins & Roots explicitly develops these skills towards education, volunteering and employment.

Reins & Roots is a bespoke Orchard programme. The successful applicant will be required to sign a confidentiality/non-disclosure agreement covering programme materials and intellectual property.

The Orchard is committed to safeguarding children and young people. Appointment is subject to our safer recruitment procedures, including appropriate DBS and pre employment checks, satisfactory references and verification of right to work in the UK.

Apply

Please email your CV and a short introduction explaining your equine qualifications and experience and why you would like to work with our learners.

[email protected]

Please share with anyone who could be a great fit for The Orchard. 🌳🐴

And just like that... we're back!

A huge welcome back to our returning learners and an equally big Orchard welcome to all the new faces joining us this September.

For our Post-16 learners, Level 2 and Level 3 journeys are beginning. Across the rest of Orchard, there are new goals, new experiences and plenty to look forward to.

We also know that the first day isn't the same experience for everyone.

For some, coming through the gates is easy.

For someone else, getting dressed, leaving home, travelling to us and actually walking through those gates can represent enormous progress.

Both matter.

That's why success at Orchard will never be measured by qualifications alone.

It's attendance when attendance has previously felt impossible. Building relationships. Developing confidence. Learning to communicate. Becoming more independent. Discovering what you're good at. Gaining vocational skills. Making friends. Achieving qualifications. Thinking about employment and beginning to believe there might actually be a future you're excited about.

So here's to another year of progress in all its different forms.

Welcome to Orchard 2026/27. 🌳🍎

Celebrating every achievement at The Orchard 🍎

Phoebe finished her Level 2 with us this summer and she certainly hasn’t slowed down since!

Phoebe and her pony have enjoyed a fantastic season together, attending the Royal International Horse Show, the CHAPS Championships and the Yorkshire Show.

These experiences are about so much more than competing. They reflect Phoebe’s hard work, confidence, responsibility and commitment , skills she has continued to grow throughout her time at The Orchard.

We’re incredibly proud of her journey so far and look forward to welcoming her back next week, ready to begin her Level 3 in September.

Well done, Phoebe. Here’s to the next chapter! 🌳🐴

www.theorchard-ec.co.uk

A new Orchard year is nearly here...

The summer break is almost over and we're getting ready to welcome everyone back to The Orchard.

September brings familiar faces returning to continue their journeys with us, new learners joining the Orchard community and our Post-16 learners beginning their Level 2 and Level 3 programmes.

And we've got a lot planned.

More opportunities to learn directly from people working within industry. More practical experiences. New partnerships. Orchard Social Club. Orchard Legacies. And lots of opportunities for our learners to build confidence, independence and skills for their futures.

At Orchard, we know that education doesn't have to look the same for everyone.

Some young people thrive in a traditional classroom. Others need something different ,smaller groups, practical learning, animals, the outdoors, trusted relationships and the time and space to find their confidence again.

That's what Orchard is about.

We're ready for 2026/27. 🍎🌳

🌿 Looking Ahead with Ground & Growth

At The Orchard, we're always looking for new ways to inspire learning through practical experiences.

That's why we're continuing to develop Ground & Growth , Our land-based learning pathway.

Ground & Growth is designed to introduce learners to horticulture, conservation and practical outdoor skills, helping them build confidence, resilience and employability while connecting with the natural environment.

As The Orchard continues to grow, so will the opportunities available through this pathway.

Our vision is to create even more opportunities for learners to explore land-based industries, develop vocational skills and discover new interests through meaningful, hands-on learning.

It's another step in our commitment to providing a broad, engaging curriculum that prepares every learner for adulthood and future success.

The future is growing...

🌳 The Orchard Equine & Land-Based College

Growing Confidence. Growing Skills. Growing Futures.

🍎🌳Introducing Nurture & Nature

Every learner is different.

While many young people thrive through working with horses, others develop confidence and skills in different ways.

That's why we're excited to introduce Nurture & Nature, our new animal care and nature-based learning pathway.

Launching this September, Nurture & Nature will give learners the opportunity to develop practical animal care skills while learning about welfare, behaviour and the natural world.

Working with a variety of animals encourages empathy, responsibility, communication and confidence, while providing meaningful opportunities to develop independence and prepare for adulthood.

As with all of our pathways, learning is practical, purposeful and centred around each learner's individual needs and aspirations.

We're looking forward to seeing Nurture & Nature become an exciting part of The Orchard's curriculum.

🌳 The Orchard Equine & Land-Based College

Growing Confidence. Growing Skills. Growing Futures.

💚 Success Looks Different for Every Learner

At The Orchard Equine & Land-Based College, we know that success looks different for every learner.

For one young person, success might be achieving a qualification.

For another, it could be attending education consistently after struggling in previous settings.

It might be speaking confidently in a group for the first time.

Leading a horse independently.

Caring for an animal with confidence.

Completing a practical task without support.

Building friendships.

Managing emotions during a challenging day.

Or simply believing in themselves again.

These moments may seem small to others, but for our learners they represent incredible progress.

That's why we celebrate every achievement.

Our curriculum supports learners to grow academically, socially and emotionally, developing confidence, independence, practical skills and preparation for adulthood alongside recognised qualifications.

Because every learner starts from a different place.

Every journey is unique.

And every success deserves to be celebrated.

🌳🍎The Orchard Equine & Land-Based College

Growing Confidence. Growing Skills. Growing Futures.

More Than Horses

People often ask us why horses are such an important part of learning at Orchard.

The answer is simple...

It's not about creating the next competition rider.

It's about creating opportunities for young people to grow.

Working with horses helps learners develop confidence, communication, responsibility and resilience in a way that is meaningful and engaging.

Every interaction encourages learners to think, solve problems, build trust and take responsibility.

They learn to work safely, understand behaviour, care for another living being and celebrate success through practical achievement.

For some learners, grooming a horse is the first time they've felt confident enough to take the lead.

For others, riding builds balance, focus and determination.

Every experience is carefully planned and linked to learning outcomes, personal development and preparation for adulthood.

The horses aren't the destination.

They're part of the journey.

🌳 The Orchard Equine & Land-Based College

Growing Confidence. Growing Skills. Growing Futures.