Much of the support we offer at Oakwood provides pupils not only with educational development but also with emotional healing and mental health improvement. This week as part of that the school has been visited by The Way of the Horse. They provides effective, interactive and innovative mental health support and personal development for our young people, that actively engages them in human development and healing. Pupils are taught personal empowerment, self compassion, mindfulness and authentic communication. Through Project Pony, our pupils will work alongside a horse for a term. This provides them with the time and guidance to develop, transform and heal. The sessions will teach them about being present in the moment, to analyse sensory experiences, develop emotional agility and understand horse body language which will provide them with the ability to reflect on their own emotional state. Over time, the healing process will help our pupils towards freeing themselves from their feelings of self-doubt, fear and anger, letting them move forward into a happier, more productive life. They will be taught how to manage their anxiety, anger and understand their emotions and fear. These are all important steps for our young people to work through and hopefully, with our help, come through in a positive way.
