Riseholme for Y12 & 13

[Wordherder]

Talk to me about going instead of sixth form, for Equine L2 & 3.
I've read the website, visited. Now tell me the REAL experiences of your teenagers.
Not to drip feed - looking at residential accommodation. Has ASD. Hopefully going to pass all GCSEs with 4s-6/7s.
Hates school with a passion, horse obsessed.

I think it depends on why she wants to go.

In my experience equine colleges are a waste of time if you want to work as a professional groom, I ran a 5* yard and most of the applicants we had from colleges weren't up to working with competition horses and didn't seem to actually know that much. If your daughter wants to actually work with horses she'd be better off doing an apprenticeship on a yard than going to college.

If she wants to go for the experience one of my friends went to Riseholme and had a great time.

Side note - I'd also advise against going into a career as a groom, it's knackering, alot of employers are awful and it's terribly paid for the most part. Going into a horsey industry not as a groom is a better option, equine vet nursing maybe?

I've got no personal experience of riseholme sorry but lots of friends kids and friends of my kids did go to equi/agricultural college so I can contribute from those points of view.

I do have slightly mixed feelings about it - from the point of view of career prospects directly it's not necessarily the best, in theory/on paper anyway, for academically able kids they're generally better off taking the traditional a levels and university route, for those that want to pursue a professional career as a rider (very competitive/difficult obviously) they should really look towards working pupilships and opportunities to be competing or at least working on a high level yard and continuing to compete in their discipline independently, and for those that want to work as a groom or instructor or similar apprenticeships are a more direct route to employment, particularly if they can do their BHS exams as part of that. Or the British racing school courses have very good employment options afterwards. I have to say that the majority of the kids we know who went to equine colleges (either at 16 or 18) don't now work in the industry, or do but didn't get the jobs they have because of college if you see what I mean. So you could say what's the point of the courses then.

But that being said that is taking a very narrow and limited view of what education for 16-18 year olds is 'for', it's not just directly about getting a job or qualifications that lead to a job, for me there's a really big piece about self development, building confidence and skills, finding yourself for want of a better word and also just having fun and making friends which I know can never really be captured in policy or strategy - they've got an awfully long working life ahead of them as teens so it's a pity to pigeon hole them so early into only things that are directly career building. The environment at agri/technical colleges can be so much more suited and positive for the kids that it works for than school or general college - more practical, outdoorsy, based around their interests, everyone there has self-selected as opposed to it being forced on them etc. Even if at the end of the course the kids decide quite understandably a career in horses isn't for them and move on to a different job or other further education, if they've come out with better focus, some qualifications they probably wouldn't have got otherwise and generally better confidence and life skills then I'd chalk that as a win. And TBH I think a determining factor is by the time they're 16 if it's what the they really want to do you have to weigh that heavily in it's favour as they'll be more motivated compared to maybe what you as a parent thinks would be better but doesn't interest them at all...

That being said I also have to say from my anecdotal evidence while some kids do have a good time it's not 100%, you do have to ask the right questions about whether it is the right place for them, socially for instance it may be better/easier than school but it's not guaranteed and that could become a big issue if they'll be boarding/residential. SN support as well, some colleges are excellent on this and some are frankly poor. Safeguarding etc - I'm sure you've looked into all this but I guess you have to avoid getting swept up in DD's enthusiasm and make sure you've done the due diligence?

Hi @maxelly and @renovationqueen
Thank you for your answers, these are great. She isn't an A Level or sixth form kind of kid, she's had enough of school - too many people.
She loves being with horses and is helping out on a yard most days during the summer.
She won't become the world's best rider / eventer, but that doesn't bother her.
She says she likes the idea of being a horse physio or something but I don't know how you go about that. Will get a 6/7 in Science and Maths, more like a 4/5 in English. Her ASD makes the searching for non-literal meaning in English and RE difficult. Her memory is amazing.
Her plan is to 'marry a farmer and have an animal job' 🫨🫪
Her grandad has a farm and is disappointed she is going into an industry with such a poor standard of living. I'm promoting the excellent MH benefits and her drive to attend - she has to do SOMETHING until she's 18.
If she became a dog walker or worked at Pets at Home I'd be so happy she's content. She needs structure. Not long ago she wanted to be a dog trainer for the police, so there's that too...
Any more thoughts really welcome!!

For equine physio I’m pretty sure you need a degree, there might be other avenues these days though I’m not sure.

It’s definitely makes it tricky when they have to stay in education until 18 if they really don’t want to. An equine college might do well to fill the gap for her until she decides - are you local to riseholme and would she be able to live at home if she didn’t like staying in the accommodation?

My mum made me go and get a generic degree before going to ‘play ponies’ and honestly it was a complete waste of time. I now work in a different industry not using my degree but paying an awful lot back in student loans!

I think the benefit here isn't necessarily the employment prospects or what have you, but the motivation factor-

If DD has a tangible aim in sight then it's likely that she will be motivated to try her best in the GCSEs (which she will always have in her pocket then to keep her options open).

If she goes and does equine for two years she has all the benefits of staying in education, if she gets pushed into something else would she drop out, be miserable, etc?

There are a number of career paths that come off a vocational course like that but equally she might want to do something unrelated, but she will have experience of work and study and undoubtedly have developed her transferable skills.

In short I think the risk/benefit is to let her aim for that course and navigate each decision-point as it comes.

Yes equine physios always used to qualify as human physios first then do extra qualifications for animals, these days I think there are specific undergrad degrees for animal physio but either way there's definitely a lot of theory and biology/anatomy to it which if she struggles with academics might be a struggle (although she might surprise you in a different environment and it is a lot more concrete and practical than English lit for sure). If she was interested in maybe doing higher education into something like vet nursing or animal physio there are foundation degrees nowadays (sometimes you can do these at college) which is an easier landing into higher education...

But there's lots of work in the horsey or animal world that doesn't need a degree and are largely learnt on the job or through practical / vocational qualifications - saddle maker/fitter, equine massage, dental technician, clipping, sheath cleaning, nutrition, teaching/coaching. Or if she likes dogs and other animals more broadly she could look into dog grooming, training and walking, pet sitting/boarding - all jobs that people do pay money for, not that you'd necessarily get rich from them as a career and even in order to make a good living you do need basic business skills as largely they're self-employed, and a lot of people have to mix and match/juggle various different strings to their bow in order to make things work financially, which isn't always an easy life particularly for someone who likes structure and routine, but like you say, the important thing is she finds something she enjoys. Sounds like the equine college might be a good first step to get there or at least for her to have a more positive education experience than at school?

This isn’t about Riseholme, but both of the 2 nearest similar places to me i would not let a q16 year old live on site.
Go daily, yes absolutely, both have some great courses, especially for those disenchanted with school.
But the care for u18s living in,( both are mainly 18 + living on site) is not good enough imo, please check that bit carefully.

Thanks people for your info. I agree - being in education in something you are interested in is far better than risking A levels or Sixth form and dropping out.
Hopefully a level three course will keep her options open.
Riseholme has accom and an outstanding rating for pastoral care, but we will look again very carefully.
It was actually her, two years ago, who came to us and asked if she could live in at 16 and arranged the visit. Her ASD makes this understandable - she has her own, small, manageable space and horses on tap. But I do understand it might not work out, and we'll stay flexible.
She's a September birthday so will be 17 and probably driving (she can already drive a tractor!)
It's about 30 mins from our home.

I know a few that went to live in at local ag colleges at 16 (ag not equine) and had a great time. Obviously costs a LOT more than attending daily. Not sure what L3 equine qualifies you for - does it give you UCAS points? You need 128+ points to do Veterinary Physiotherapy. Can do equine rehab with fewer.