SUPPORT SERVICE TESTIMONIALS
"Redbourn Park has been using Laura, Dan and the team at Old Town Riding School for over a year. Their ability to adapt to the constantly changing needs of our pupils during their sessions is exactly what we need. Our students benefit greatly from the service provided and we could not recommend them enough.” Tom McDougall, Founding Director of Redbourn Park School.
"I have worked alongside Laura & Dan for a while now, they are great friendly & approachable people with a focus & passion for engaging SEN, young people and assisting them through their struggles, the horses offer a calming therapy. All the children that attend here are happy & there is lots to do, education working within the stables and most of all an excellent environment where there is lots of teamwork and positivity within the stables. I highly recommend it. Great therapy for all children aged 0-99. Well done, keep up the great work." Dan Gaze. Dan Gaze Support Service Ltd.
"When Laura contacted our school with the range of facilities and bespoke services that could be offered at Old Town riding school we didn't hesitate to get in contact. As an SLD school we are always seeking provision and enrichment opportunities for our young people that can be adapted to suit their needs. Laura and her team are patient, unfazed and understanding of the needs of our students. We have now brought four different groups of students, each with their own challenging behaviour or communication difficulty to the riding school and have been delighted with the progress they have all made! It has been wonderful to see the students engage and grow in confidence each week. Students who we didn't think would ever tolerate offering a hand out to touch a horse, with the support offered by the team, have increased in confidence and are now riding a horse weekly. We hope that the link we have between Breakspeare School and Old Town will be a long-standing one." Gillian Ellis, Breakspeare School.
"We choose this provision for a student that has disengaged with his learning and has also had a bereavement and is unable to share his feelings about this. The therapeutic environment of the stables along with the staff that have been mentors has meant that he has now started to re-engage." Future Academies.
"Our family first met Laura at Old Town Riding School in January 2019. Our son Devon had been excluded from school and repeatedly failed by the educational system. Devon is non verbal so anxiety levels were extremely high at the time. Laura took Devon under her wing and has gently but firmly guided him into life with horses. Although not always quiet on his visits Devon has slowly but surely learned to feed, groom and ride the horses. Devon has a boundless amount of energy which under Laura’s tutelage, support and guidance has been transferred into his riding. One has to admire Laura’s tenacity and her willingness and patience to encourage a non verbal child into learning to cope with his anxiety. We cannot thank Laura enough for the time, effort and care she manages to put in every single day. All her hard work has been successful as Devon has feels entirely at home with Laura and her staff. Our family is extremely grateful to Old Town Riding School for allowing Devon into their facility and allowing our son to express himself in an environment that does not judge him and permits him to just be Devon. In return he very fond of Laura and her team. We would not hesitate to recommend Old Town Riding. Devon has benefited from excellent support at this equine therapy facility and will do it for many years to come." Mother of a young person.
"Laura has worked with Roman Fields for a number of years and is the only alternative provider we use, having tried a number in the past. There is a reason for this, which is simply, Laura and her team are exceptional. They are entirely 'child focused' they see what they do not as a job, but as a vocation and work incredibly hard to ensure our youngsters achieve, develop confidence, learn new skills - and they thrive. Our youngsters all have complex needs, Laura is incredibly emotionally intelligent and ensures her delivery is tailored specifically to the individual, for this reason I cannot recommend Laura highly enough." Headteacher, Roman Fields Provision.
"Old Town Riding School has provided many of our students with invaluable opportunities to discover and explore their love of horses. Laura and her team are fabulous. They provide a friendly, welcoming and inclusive environment where young people can thrive." Sally Smiles, Batchwood School.
"My daughter is autistic and also has ADHD. She suffers from high levels of anxiety which make things very difficult for her and her behaviour quite challenging, especially during lockdown in early 2021 when schools were closed. I'd heard a lot about Old Town Riding School and was recommended to me by parents on a Facebook support group. It's been amazing for her. The sessions are taken at her pace, while still gently encouraging her to push herself a little bit, which has given her a great sense of achievement. She loves the mix of riding and grooming - she really enjoys getting close to the horses and sees this as a safe place for her. The whole environment is nurturing and supportive and when we've needed an extra session, for example during school holidays, Laura has done what she can to fit her in. I cannot recommend enough." Mother of a young person with autism and ADHD.
" Laura and her entire team at Old Town Riding School are simply incredible. They are passionate about supporting children with special needs and their inclusive, patient and unique approach has done wonders for our 14 yro son with Autism and PDA. They have created a hidden gem at the stables, one that we are incredibly grateful for and one that other 'specialist settings' could learn a lot from." Parents to a 14 yro boy with PDA.
"My son has Special Education Needs and mental health issues and has been visiting Old Town Riding School for a year now. He began with Equine Support Sessions and then moved onto sessions with a 1:1 mentor. He has picked up skills at the stables that he wouldn't have had the opportunity to pick up anywhere else. He has learnt that he has responsibilities to the horses and that tasks need to be completed before he gets to ride, this alone is a massive achievement for him. His confidence has also grown and his communication skills with people at the stables is slowly increasing. Not only have these weekly visits helped my son but they have also helped me. To see my son enjoy himself and forgot his anxieties and worries for just an hour allows me to see what he can really achieve when around the right people. The team at Old Town Riding School are amazing. The compassion, patience and empathy the whole team has it out of this world. The knowledge Laura has with SEN put me at ease from the beginning. I knew that this was a place for my son and I have not been disappointed. I would highly recommend the school to anyone whether SEN or not. It's a hidden gem and is a little sanctuary of peace, laughter and where everyone is treated the same, with respect and without judgment." Mother of son with SEN.