Head of Discovery

Head of Discovery

Horse World Trust — Bristol

"Discover Horses, Discover Yourself™"

Are you an inspiring educational leader who believes that learning can — and should — happen far beyond the classroom? Do you understand the young people who fall between the gaps of mainstream education, and are you passionate about giving them a place to grow, belong and thrive? Could you lead a unique and sector-leading Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) programme into its next era?

If so, you may be the next Head of Discovery at Horse World Trust — guardian of a remarkable 75-year heritage of rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming horses, and nearly 20 years of transforming the lives of vulnerable young people through our pioneering Discovery programme.

Horse World is a registered part time Alternative Learning Provision. And Discovery is our Equine Assisted Learning programme for young people aged 6–19 who are struggling in or disengaged from mainstream education due to SEMH needs, SEND, trauma or economic challenges. Our aim is simple:
to help young people re-engage with education, relationships and society
.

Using carefully structured sessions with our rescued horses, young people develop confidence, emotional regulation, communication, resilience and transferable life skills that support transition back into education or onward into positive destinations. This short film gives a flavour of what we do and why we do it:

Discovery is outcomes-focused, evidence-led, and child-centred — and sits within a charity that is equally horse-centred
, thanks to Horse World’s 75-year heritage in rescue and welfare.

These two missions create a unique virtuous cycle:

Helping young people through horses → leads to increased relevance of horses in society → leading to better welfare of horses → which enriches EAL helping more young people.

The Head of Discovery plays a central role in stewarding this cycle.

As our current Head of Discovery prepares to retire, we are seeking an ambitious, skilled educational leader who can build on our strong foundations while helping shape an exciting and ambitious future.

You will:

• Ensure Discovery delivers measurable, high-quality outcomes for young people.
• Lead assessment, progression tracking, reporting and impact evaluation.
• Embed understanding of Ofsted expectations, ALP funding requirements and safeguarding best practice across the team.

• Lead a team of facilitators in delivering exceptional Equine Assisted Learning.
• Maintain compliance with AP standards, HETI and local authority expectations.
• Oversee training and supervision, embedding the OCN Level 3 Diploma in EAL.

• Contribute to the future direction of Discovery, including ambitions to extend reach and influence.
• Ensure seamless collaboration between the Discovery and Welfare teams to uphold the needs of both children and horses.

• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection.

This is a senior educational leadership role requiring a rare blend of education expertise, strategic thinking, emotional intelligence and respect for equine partners.

You will have:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS or equivalent)
• Experience in mainstream education and alternative provision
• Strong knowledge of Ofsted frameworks
  , ALP funding
  , and SEND/SEMH provision
• Demonstrable leadership experience, including team development and change management
• A commitment to evidence-based, outcomes-focused practice
• A deep appreciation for the role animals — especially horses — play in supporting emotional growth
• The ability to hold a child-centred ethos alongside a horse-centred welfare culture

You do not need to be an equine expert — but you must be ready to work in partnership with those who are, and to uphold the wellbeing of our horses as co‑educators.

Horse World is more than an organisation — it’s a purpose-driven community.

• Our strapline,
  People Helping Horses, Helping People
  , is lived daily.
• Our…