AN outdoor education provider based in South East Cornwall has secured a major milestone after being accepted onto Cornwall Council’s Approved Provider List for community-based, out-of-school alternative education.

The Learning Paddocks, which supports children and young people who struggle to access mainstream education, has been recognised as an approved provider for the Provision of Community Based, Out of School Alternative Education.

The status opens up further opportunities for the organisation to work alongside schools and professionals to support young people who need an alternative approach to learning.

Founder and chief executive Archie Hill said the achievement marked an important step forward after considerable work to develop the provision.

“Being accepted onto Cornwall Council’s Approved Provider List is a major milestone for us and provides further opportunities to work alongside schools and professionals supporting young people who require community-based alternative education,” he said.

“For me personally, it is also a really exciting moment after the work that has gone into developing The Learning Paddocks.”

Based in Tideford, the organisation provides small-scale, practical and relationship-led outdoor learning for young people under the age of 25, particularly those who may not thrive in a traditional classroom environment.

Its approach centres on purposeful, hands-on activities including animal and equine care, grooming and safe handling, horticulture, grounds maintenance, sports, fitness and functional skills.

Archie said the aim was to use those experiences to help young people develop skills and qualities that can support them both in education and everyday life.

“Our approach is quite different from a classroom-based setting,” he said. “The focus is not simply on completing activities. We use the environment to help young people develop confidence, independence, communication, responsibility, engagement and practical skills.”

The provision is designed for children and young people experiencing a range of barriers to education, including autism, ADHD, anxiety, sensory processing differences, emotional regulation difficulties and emotionally based school avoidance.

Its team brings together experience across special educational needs and disabilities, social, emotional and mental health support, education, care, nursing, animal welfare and outdoor learning.

Staff work at each learner’s pace, aiming to build trust and provide a calm, consistent environment where individuals feel safe and supported.

Activities include working with horses and donkeys through grooming, care and bonding, as well as gardening, environmental projects and practical yard work.

The organisation also offers enrichment days, personal development and opportunities to build independence, resilience and functional life skills.

The new council approval also provides an important route for schools and professionals to identify suitable support, helping more young people access learning outside conventional settings when mainstream education is not meeting their needs.

The latest achievement was among the topics discussed during a recent visit to the site by South East Cornwall MP Anna Gelderd and Cornwall councillor Kate Ewert.

Despite stormy weather, the pair were shown around the provision and heard about its development, the challenges involved in reaching its latest milestone and the difference practical, relationship-led learning can make for young people and their families.

Archie thanked both visitors for taking the time to learn more about the organisation and its work.