Willows Nook Equine Assisted Learning C.I.C

08/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/61558366312697/posts/122211992294278877/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

When you look at how much training teachers actually get on SEND, it’s honestly really shocking.

Around 1 in 5 children in England are identified as having some form of special educational need or disability.

1 in 5!

So in each class of 30 kids, there would be around 6 with additional needs.

But despite that, most teachers only receive a few hours of general information about special educational needs during their initial training.

After that, there’s no requirement for further or specialist training unless they choose it themselves.

Yet they’re expected to support children with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, trauma, anxiety, and a huge range of other needs - often without the knowledge or resources to do it properly.

This isn’t fair on the children, the families, or the teachers.

We need real, mandatory SEND training built into every stage of teacher education and professional development - not as an optional extra, but as a core part of what it means to teach.

17/10/2025

Sometimes I Say No.

And I need you to hear me.

My no might not be loud.
It might look like turning my head, stepping away, or standing still.
But it’s still a no. And it matters.

When I say no, I might be saying:

- “My body hurts, even if you can’t see it.”
- “Something feels off, and I need more time.”
- “Your energy is too much right now.”
- “The environment is overstimulating or unsafe.”
- “I’m confused, and I don’t understand what you want.”
- “I have memories in my body that haven’t healed yet.”
- “I don’t feel connected to you in this moment.”
- “I have a headache.”
- “I trust you enough to be honest.”

No doesn’t mean I’m disobedient.
No doesn’t mean I’m difficult.
No doesn’t mean I don’t love you.

It means I’m communicating the only way I know how.
And when you listen—without force, without frustration—
You become the kind of partner I can trust.

Because trust isn’t built through pressure.
It’s built through presence, patience, and choice.

✨ Every no you honor brings us closer to a true yes.

09/10/2025

01/10/2025

Copied and pasted but so true.....

Imagine you start a new job and they send a strict dress code, down to the colour of your socks and style of your shoe. They also send you a list of equipment which they say you must have every day. Some of it seems a bit strange - two green pens?- but off you go dutifully to Smiths and equip yourself.
On the first day, you’re lined up with your colleagues and inspected. Anyone whose clothes aren’t exactly according to the dress code is told they’ll have to work an extra half hour. Same for any missing equipment. The penalties add up - wrong colour socks and missing protractor? One hour after work.
You’re a bit concerned at this because you had arranged a lift home and if you have to stay late you’ll miss it. You check your clothes and equipment, all seems okay. You pass the check, but the woman next to you has the wrong shoes. She’s distressed at the news that she’ll be staying late - she had plans later. Tough. She starts worrying about how she’s going to get new shoes to avoid the same tomorrow whilst also staying late at work. You don’t know how to help.
You get into your office and look around at your colleagues, but there’s no time to chat. On the whiteboard is a list of expectations for the day. You must be on task at all times and this will be monitored through your computer. Toilet breaks are limited to particular times and you’ll be queuing because it’s the same time for everyone. Eyes must be kept on your computer and this will be tracked. You must sit facing forwards and not slouch. You must use a regulation ruler whenever you read a document. If you break the rules, you’ll be kept after work the same day.
You‘re told that if you get too many ‘after works’ then you’ll spend a day in the Quiet Room where no one will talk to you for the whole day and you can’t eat lunch with your colleagues or go to the toilet more than twice. You start to feel a sense of unease. You’re worried about whether you can comply and what will happen if you start gazing off into space or rocking on your chair.
The office is very quiet. ‘Isn’t it lovely?’ says your manager. ‘People here appreciate our structure and clear boundaries. You’ll do the best work you have ever done here because no time is wasted. We’ve set it up so you don’t have to worry about making decisions, you just do what we say and concentrate on your work’.
You think perhaps this isn’t the right place for you, but they remind you that you’ve signed a five year contract without a get out clause. There are no other options. You are powerless.
What effect would that have on you? Would you be happy and relaxed at work? Would you be motivated and doing your best for those five years? Might you feel anxious and trapped or resentful and angry?
And why would we think it would be any different for our kids?

18/07/2025

29/05/2025

Is your child finding school challenging at the moment? Would they thrive with a mid-week opportunity to recharge and reconnect?

We're excited to announce the launch of our new 6-week after-school club at Willows Nook. This program offers engaging, fun activities in a natural setting. Our sessions are designed to support and enhance learning, communication, self-regulation, and confidence.

At Willows Nook, we pride ourselves on providing a non-judgmental and safe environment. Our qualified facilitators specialise in neurodiversity and Special Educational Needs (SEN), ensuring every child feels understood and supported.

Spaces for this club are limited, so we encourage you to get in touch soon if you're interested in learning more. Please email us at;
fran@willowsnookequineassistedlearning.co.uk
for further information.

29/05/2025

Would your child benefit from a mid week reset?
Sessions designed to help build confidence, self regulation, communication skills.
Discover, Experience, Connect in Nature with animals and qualified facilitators in a non judgemental natural environment.

19/05/2025

Hey lovely people! We're having a couple of volunteering days in the half term break, this gives us a chance to get things in and around Willows Nook in ship shape while the learners are taking a well earned break.

Please comment or drop me a message if you are interested in helping out.
Tuesday 27th - 10:00 - 2:00
Wednesday 28th - 10:00 - 2:00.
Please keep an eye on here as plans might change due to weather!)

Thank you. xx

15/05/2025

Volunteers required for half term holidays to help with maintenance and land management around Willows Nook. Please let me know if you are up for giving us a hand. Thank you. xx

13/05/2025

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJltZ8esx8D/?igsh=MWFhNXd1dHBrNHZ4bg==