 |
British
Horse Society's Royal President to visit Islington educational
project at Lee Valley Riding Centre |
The
British Horse Society's (BHS) Royal President, HRH The Princess
Royal, will be visiting a unique equine educational project, initiated
by the BHS, at Lee Valley Riding Centre based at Leyton, London,
on Wednesday 4 February.
The
project is in line with the Government's scheme to encourage Year
10 and 11 pupils to study for a vocational qualification in a work
environment and that of the BHS in its commitment to the Sporting
Equals Racial Equality Charter. At Lee Valley a pilot project has
been set up by the BHS, in conjunction with Lee Valley Riding Centre
manager, Irena Grint, and CEA@Islington, to enable a group of Year
10 pupils from local schools to attend the riding centre one day
a week for two academic years and work towards a recognised BHS
qualification; either Stage One or NVQ Level One.
The
Princess Royal, well known for her interest in encouraging children
to ride, will visit the centre from 13.20 - 15.00 hours and meet
with the children after watching them ride and work around the stables.
The
project was instigated by Margaret Linington-Payne, BHS Senior Manager
for Examinations, Training and Approvals. With help from the Excellence
in Cities Project Manager for Islington, Dr. Mary Linington, schools
in Islington were approached in July 2003 and the pilot commenced
in November with six Year 10 children from the Samuel Rhodes School.
Head teacher Jackie Blount felt there was value in introducing her
students to such a project and her enthusiasm, supported by her
staff, has allowed the project to prosper. From January 2004 five
more children from the mainstream Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Language
College joined the group.
Ms
Blount commented: "Samuel Rhodes is a school for children with
moderate learning difficulties and they have taken to horses with
great enthusiasm. Already there has been a noticeable change in
their motivation and social skills. The children are proving very
keen to attend and make a real effort to learn from their instructor.
They are showing an ability to work as a team and are taking pride
in what they do."
None
of the children have had any experience with horses before starting
the project and Bill Clark, Director of Schools' Services, CEA@Islington,
said: "The children who have taken part in this project have
really benefited from the professional experience and tuition of
the Lee Valley Riding School and The British Horse Society. They
have been able to combine learning with enjoyment and I am sure
they will always remember this experience.
"We
welcome any initiatives that improve the educational aspirations
and achievements of Islington pupils and support this project whole-heartedly."
Councillor
Laura Willoughby, Islington Council, added: "We all know the
benefits of trying out new activities with new people in new areas,
in finding new perspectives and motivation in life, and it is fantastic
that these young people are having this opportunity.
"It
is wonderful that they are having the chance to try new sports and
fun activities that we just don't have the room for in Islington.
I am very pleased that those who have tried it so far have found
it so helpful."
The
pilot project in Islington is part funded by the Cripplegate Foundation,
a trust set up to improve the quality of life for Islington residents,
and the BHS is aiming to extend the pilot project to other BHS Approved
Riding Schools and Local Authority Schools throughout England over
the next few years.
.
|
