Muirfield Riding Therapy (MRT) is delighted to announce the success of its pilot ‘Stepping Up’ programme at Preston Lodge High School. The initiative, developed in collaboration with the school’s Guidance department and Youth Worker, aims to enhance student attendance by boosting confidence and well-being. The results have been inspiring. Significant improvements in confidence, class participation, and school attendance were reported, with an average attendance increase of 20%.
Andrew Christensen, Principle Teacher, Guidance, at Preston Lodge High School praised the programme,
The collaboration between Muirfield Riding Therapy Centre and our S2 pupils has been transformational. It has enabled our young people to build confidence and resilience, which in turn has increased their attendance and ability to engage with the wider world around them.
The Programme features a nine-step journey designed to engage and support students,
- Week 1: Introduction session for participants and their parents/carers.
- Week 2: Baseline assessment of well-being indicators.
- Weeks 3-8: Hands-on horse care sessions at the MRT Arena, focusing on well-being and skill development.
- Week 9: Reassessment to measure progress and celebrate achievements.
Pupils can participate in up to three waves of the programme over a school year. The results have been inspiring, with most pupils achieving Level 2 Horse Care and three attaining Level 3. Significant improvements in confidence, class participation, and school attendance were reported, with an average attendance increase of 20%.
Michelle Sutton, the Stepping Up Programme Lead at MRT said,
It has been wonderful to work with the young people from Preston Lodge. They have really embraced learning about horse care, developing new skills and have built a bond with our wonderful therapy pony Uist. The fact that this has been translated into improved confidence and better attendance at school shows what this partnership between schools, youth workers and charities can achieve.
Michelle also thanked the Preston Lodge Learning Foundation team who supported the project, Janet McCormack Specialist Youth Worker Prestonpans Community and an anonymous donor who generously provided funding to enable the continued expansion of the programme, which started back for its first official new term week on 8th September.
Muirfield Riding Therapy is dedicated to providing equine facilitated therapeutic opportunities to individuals with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. Its programmes aim to enhance quality of life through the unique bond between horse and rider. Stepping Up adds another therapeutic option to this community-focussed charity, which continues to make a profound impact on the lives of young people, fostering a brighter future through confidence, skill development, and improved attendance.
