Finding New Beginnings: my journey from Headteacher to equine-inspired education

I’m Nicola Adams, Education Manager at New Beginnings, a charity supporting the retraining and rehoming of former racehorses while developing community and education-based opportunities through racing.

After sixteen years as a teacher, including five as a Headteacher, I have grown to realise that meaningful education doesn’t only happen within the classroom. There are opportunities everywhere that can transform children’s lives, especially those with Special Educational Needs or who face barriers that make traditional schooling challenging. Over time, I felt a pull toward roles where I could continue my passion for creating exciting, nurturing and inclusive learning experiences; helping children and young people thrive in every way and prepare for life beyond school.

First encounters with New Beginnings

I first met Pam, Kev and the New Beginnings horses when they visited the primary school I was leading as part of our school’s charity partnership with York Racecourse. Watching children meet a horse for the very first time, seeing their awe, wonder and curiosity was magical. The children and adults learnt so much about the work of the charity and Goldream, also known as Remy – a very successful sprinter, and Poppy, their beautiful pony, provided interactions which were gentle, therapeutic and insightful. I continued to engage with New Beginnings at various events, and each encounter reinforced the impact that these horses and this team could have. So, when the opportunity arose to join New Beginnings, I knew I couldn’t resist making the move into a new chapter of my career. 

A young participant interacts with one of the New Beginnings horses during an education session

Creating space to learn differently

Working with children outside a traditional school setting brings a level of freedom I really appreciate. I’ve been able to design our approach from scratch; collaborating with new people, building relationships and exploring creative ideas without the constraints of timetables or curriculum pressures. I’m drawing on my school years and evidence-informed practice, tailoring everything to the children’s needs and make our setting as inclusive and engaging as possible. The focus is truly on the whole child and hopefully our proactive engagement and early intervention will support children to thrive in school and in later life.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in moving into this new role is that overnight I moved from being an experienced school leader to a total beginner. I’m not from an equine background and the industry has its own vocabulary, acronyms, terminology and roles that are completely new to me. My confidence waivers at times but the team at New Beginnings and those in wider networks have been so supportive. I’m also being kind to myself, asking all the silly questions and embracing the learning curve. Unexpectedly, this novice perspective has been helpful when designing sessions for children; if I understand it as a beginner, I know I’m making it accessible for them, too.

Introducing Hands High

We are currently mid-way through a pilot programme with six children aged 10 and 11, visiting the yard weekly for five weeks. On their very first visit, I felt a surge of pride and excitement seeing the ‘Hands High’ programme finally take flight. Introducing young people to a world they’ve never experienced is unbelievably rewarding. Working with small groups means we can give each child time, attention and tailored opportunities and their confidence, communication, focus and knowledge are already growing. We are using their feedback and our reflections to shape the programme as we evolve. Along the way, I’ve also developed a newfound appreciation for the versatility and gentleness of thoroughbreds and the process that supports them during their transition from racing to new roles. There are so many similarities between this work and that of educators supporting children and young people – patience, empathy and relationships are key throughout the charity’s work both on the yard and in the education hub.

A young participant meets one of New Beginnings’ former racehorses

Supporting community and social impact through racing

New Beginnings’ work aligns well with many aspects of the BHA Social Impact Strategy and with other charities that work in this space. From introducing young people to racing and promoting pathways into industry careers, to supporting racecourses in their community work, and providing equine-assisted services that improve mental health and wellbeing. New Beginnings is a valuable asset to so many and I’m proud to play a part in expanding our community and education‑focused work; supporting the retraining and rehoming of racehorses and making a difference to every individual that our work supports.