Shamley Green (Westland Farm)

Shamley Green, at Westland Farm, is the original and largest Elysian site: the place the organisation was founded, and still home to the largest number of horses of any provision.

A Typical Day at Shamley Green

New young people usually start gently at Shamley Green. The first weeks are built around the animals and around getting to know the staff, rather than around a full timetable, because very few arrive ready for one. Formal learning is introduced as confidence grows and at a pace set by the young person rather than by the calendar. Families are kept closely involved throughout, and are always welcome to ring the site rather than wait for a review.

No two days at Shamley Green are ever the same. Set within more than 100 acres of beautiful countryside, our provision offers a unique opportunity for young people to learn through animals, nature and meaningful real-life experiences.

Young people spend their day caring for and getting to know a wide variety of animals while participating in a personalised curriculum that makes full use of the outdoor environment and the many learning spaces across the farm. Learning is tailored to each learner’s individual needs, interests and aspirations, ensuring every young person can engage, achieve and build confidence.

Typically, young people take part in around five learning sessions each day, combining animal care, curriculum learning and personal development. Depending on their individual programme, sessions may include animal husbandry, riding lessons, our Equine Pathway Programme, therapeutic interventions, and activities designed to develop key skills in English, mathematics and preparation for adulthood.

Throughout the day, young people work alongside a consistent and highly skilled staff team with extensive experience in supporting children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. Our approach is underpinned by PACE principles, and a commitment to helping every young person feel safe, valued and understood.

Learning at Shamley Green is practical, engaging and purposeful. Sensory experiences, outdoor learning, wellbeing and positive risk-taking are woven naturally into the day rather than delivered as separate activities. Through caring for animals, working outdoors and participating in meaningful learning experiences, young people develop confidence, resilience, independence and a strong sense of achievement.

Riding and Animal Husbandry

Shamley Green is home to a large and diverse equine herd, including ridden horses and non-ridden ponies such as our Shetlands. Horses play an integral role across the provision and are woven throughout many aspects of education, therapeutic support and personal development.

Young people benefit from excellent equestrian facilities, including a large riding arena and access to off-site hacking routes, providing opportunities to develop their skills in a variety of environments. Depending on their individual programme, interests and needs, young people may also take part in riding lessons and animal husbandry.

For those who choose to do so, riding can become an important part of their learning experience, helping to build confidence, resilience, communication skills and emotional regulation. Young people can learn to ride, improve their riding skills and develop an understanding of horse care and welfare. Those with a particular interest in horses can access our Equine Pathway Programme, developing equine knowledge, practical skills and industry-specific experience. Whether learning to ride, understanding how to safely handle an animal, or gaining a deeper understanding of animal welfare and husbandry, progress is recognised and celebrated.

Space to Grow

At Shamley Green, relationships are at the heart of everything we do. We pride ourselves on the strong partnerships we build with young people and their families. We take time to get to know each young person as an individual, understanding their strengths, needs, interests and aspirations. By working closely with families and professionals, we create a personalised approach that helps every young person feel safe, valued and understood.

Our goal is to support young people to engage in learning, reduce anxiety and develop the confidence to access opportunities that may previously have felt out of reach. We recognise that progress looks different for every young person and celebrate both the small steps and the significant milestones along the way.

Young people are supported by caring and consistent staff who invest time in building positive relationships founded on trust, respect and understanding. Through these relationships, young people are encouraged to develop confidence in themselves, their abilities and their future.

Throughout the day there is time to be outdoors, move, explore and experience the changing farm environment. Young people are encouraged to develop sensory awareness, make choices and take positive, appropriately supported risks. The natural environment offers countless opportunities for learning, reflection and growth, helping young people develop resilience, independence and emotional wellbeing.

Qualifications

For young people who are ready, we offer a range of accredited learning opportunities that recognise both academic and practical achievements. These include Functional Skills qualifications in English and Mathematics, the Integrated Learning Project (ILP), which is a project-based learning programme, and a range of AQA Unit Awards that celebrate progress and achievement across a variety of subjects and skills.

Young people can also work towards the CFI Level 2 Integrative Education Award, which recognises the development of personal, social and employability skills through practical and experiential learning.

Those with a particular interest in horses can access our Equine Pathway Programme, developing equine knowledge, practical skills and industry-specific experience.

The Difference It Makes

The impact of a placement at Shamley Green extends far beyond education. Families frequently tell us about the transformative difference that positive relationships, tailored support and meaningful experiences have made to their child’s wellbeing, confidence and future aspirations.

These experiences reflect our belief that, with the right environment, trusted relationships and personalised support, young people can re-engage with learning, develop emotional wellbeing, build meaningful connections and begin to look to the future with confidence and hope.

Shamley Green is a beautiful, warm and welcoming setting where every young person is given the space to grow, the support to thrive and the opportunity to achieve more than they may ever have thought possible.