Further to the article that was published on February 13, 2012 in the North West Evening Mail, we’d like to clear up any confusion about our students and who trains with us. Cumbria Rural Academy is a body which trains people not just in horse care, but in many land based courses, with over 25 students studying at many different levels.
Danny Woodburn, a valued member of staff up the yard, is not on the 14 – 16 year old programme, he is in fact one of our apprentices, who has already gained his BET Assistant Ride Leader, his Riding and Road Safety and his First Aid Certificate which are all professional qualifications. He also competes and has won show jumping classes at other equestrian centres.
Although we do take on students who have been excluded from school, we also have many other programmes of study. These include;-
14 – 16 year old work based programme – this gives school students a work based qualification with skills which they will need to gain a job once they have left the safety of the classroom. The children spend one day a week up at the yard learning theoretical and practical skills. This qualification gives them their EQL Level 1 work based diploma in Horse Care and Management within their first year progressing to their EQL Level 2 in the second year, for those who are talented and academically able to complete the onerous written work involved in this qualification.
14-16 year olds with special learning requirements - this for children not as academic as the above and who require a little more time and help with their learning. The qualification that these children undertake is the Lantra Based Skills for Grooms qualification.
16 – 18 year old apprenticeship scheme – this scheme involves the apprentices working at Bigland Hall Equestrian for a wage whilst also being trained by the Academy towards their professional qualifications. Many also take their BET Assistant Ride Leader and Ride Leader qualifications while working, allowing them to take on the responsibility of taking customers out on trail rides.
18+ - Levels 3 and 4 work based diplomas are serious qualifications, needing practical skills such as riding and handling the horses, as well as an indepth knowledge of the horse scientifically, so you can understand the mechanics of how they work and move, and how to stop injuries, or treat them. Many at this level run become consultants, advisors and teachers.
All these qualifications are the stepping stones towards being a professional in the horse industry, whether it’s a competition groom or rider, farrier or a work based diploma assessor. Some of our former students who have gained their instructor certificates have gone on to become teachers not only in horse yards, but in schools and colleges. One of former trainees became the Equine Advisor for Lantra earning in excess of £30,000 pounds per year.
Cumbria Rural Academy uses Bigland Hall Equestrian for their delivery of the Horse Courses but it also runs many other land based courses where other venues are used for the training.
We hope this has shown what Cumbria Rural Academy is about and how many different options there are for a whole range of people.
