Mansfield: Portland College recognised for award-winning donkey-assisted therapy programme

The award recognises an initiative that makes a measurable difference to learners’ wellbeing.

The DAT project stood out nationally as the first of its kind within a SEND college, for its creative and research-informed approach to supporting young people with complex needs.

The college brought in a herd of donkeys and employed an equine-assisted therapist to train them to become therapy donkeys to support learners who have experienced trauma, anxiety, behavioural challenges or barriers to accessing education.

The programme helps young people to develop resilience, self-regulation, communication and confidence, whilst building a bond between learner and donkey.

In 2024-25, the initiative supported 42 learners and using the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, found to have improved 86 per cent of learner’s wellbeing, with 43 per cent of learners reporting ‘low wellbeing’ prior to DAT in term one, and an astonishing 100 per cent reporting ‘moderate wellbeing’ or ‘high wellbeing’ in term three.

The scheme saw non-verbal learners find their voices and significantly increase their physical exercise while interacting with the donkeys

Angela Newton-Soanes, orincipal of the college said: “We are really proud to be recognised for our DAT with this award.

"It may have raised a few eyebrows at first, but equine-assisted approaches have strong evidence base in supporting people with trauma.

"The development aligned closely with our focus on mental health and wellbeing.

"Linked to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), this work provides a natural way to help reduce the risk of poor long-term outcomes for our learners.

We believe this is a first for a SEND college and are proud to offer it to all learners.

"This award reflects the passion and hard work of our team and is a shining example of our Ofsted ‘outstanding’ standard in practice.”

Richards Caulfield, Natspec category judge said: “While animal-based therapy itself is not new, the college invested in an equine therapist, and using donkeys in an education setting and having learners lead sessions themselves is a real innovation.

"There was really strong evidence that learners’ wellbeing scores have improved and there was also improved attendance.

"The college has also seen dramatic improvements in behaviours that seemed impossible and learners who previously refused exercise will walk miles with a donkey.”