TAVISTOCK College has introduced a ground-breaking qualification designed to increase the confidence of children with special educational needs by teaching them to care for horses.

The unique Horse and Pony Care certificate is the first of its kind and has been formulated specially for the college by an equestrian vet.

The programme is based on a large body of research which shows those with special educational needs respond well to horses and gain greater self-esteem by caring for the animals.

Teacher Helen Harris is leading the project and commissioned the syllabus for the exclusive qualification. She runs weekly lessons as part of the college's curriculum with children from Years 7, 8 and 9.

Mrs Harris, who also serves as district commissioner of Lamerton Pony Club, said: 'Tavistock College is extremely proud to be introducing this course which we believe is the first ever. I don't know of any other school doing anything like it.

'The programme is all hands-on and students will receive a formal Key Stage 3 certificate at level one or two which can lead into a BTEC course in animal care.'

Mrs Harris drove the project forward after reading studies detailing how autistic children reacted positively to horses because they were responsive but not aggressive animals.

'If you teach a child to look after an animal, you're teaching them to look after themselves,' she said.

Students begin by learning the name and colour of the pony they are handling, before being taught how to safely approach the animal and feed them a treat. As they grow in confidence, they learn how to care for ponies and identify signs of ill health.

Mrs Harris began the classes at the end of April this year, with the first intake comprising exclusively Tavistock College students with specific needs such as moderate learning difficulties or autistic spectrum conditions.

If the programme progresses as hoped, it will be opened up to a broader range of students in the next academic year.

There has already been interest from other schools and professionals working with autistic children, meaning the syllabus could be rolled out if successful.

Mrs Harris said it was wonderful to see it working and she could see the benefits of the course to a wide range of children, including those lacking in confidence.

When the college was placed into special measures in March, one of the criticisms was that there was not enough provision for special needs students and gifted and talented students.

Acting principal Daryll Chapman said this was one of the moves towards improvement: 'We want to raise children's self-worth and self-esteem and we are using animals as a vehicle for that. It's also about youngsters developing positive feelings towards school.'

There are many curriculum changes being implemented or in the pipeline, including BTEC courses and diplomas in construction, hair and beauty and engineering and manufacturing.

The college is also set to offer an AS qualification in critical thinking aimed at the gifted and talented.