Background To Changing Lives
Changing Lives SEN is a specialist independent school and alternative provision located in Carrington, Manchester, currently serving around 50 secondary-aged students, all of whom have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). These are young people who have been disengaged from mainstream education and are now embarking on a different kind of learning journey: one that is fruitful, purposeful and impact-focused.
The organisation’s vision is clear and compelling: “To inspire disengaged individuals to reconnect with society through working with horses and animals.” Its mission builds on this by aiming to give all young people, regardless of background, the opportunity to develop skills that enable them to return to education or go on to employment. The school places strong emphasis on community engagement, personal development and creating safe spaces where students can thrive.
Led by Deputy Head Jenny Rooney, who brings 16 years of experience from Trafford College, the school is deeply committed to data-informed, student-centred education. Jenny’s background in mainstream further education gives her a unique perspective on how to blend structure with compassion and how to track progress in meaningful ways.
Activities Which Build Purpose And Connection
The school offers a unique, therapeutic learning environment which integrates animal-assisted education with academic and vocational qualifications. This includes horses, dogs and small animals. Activities include horse and animal care, forest school and outdoor learning, weekly therapy sessions, and English and maths (for functional skills and GCSE pathways).
All students attend core sessions in maths and English, tailored to their individual needs. The school’s origins in the British Horse Society still shape its ethos, which promotes hands-on learning and is grounded in real-world responsibility.
The curriculum balances practical skill-building with academic standards, helping students become valued members of their communities. This approach is designed to foster confidence, independence and that sense of belonging.
Developing Transferable Skills For Life and Work
The school’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that skills developed through caring for animals, such as resilience, reliability, confidence, and communication, are eminently transferable to other areas of life, such as relationships and employment.
Students learn to take ownership of their own journey, building self-worth and 
pride in their achievements. Former students often go on to work locally in kennels, stables, and other vocational roles, demonstrating the school’s success in preparing young people for life beyond education.
Using Kloodle To Reflect, Build And Showcase Skills
The vibe at Changing Lives SEN is very student-centred, which fits Kloodle perfectly, because that’s how it has been designed.
To support their students’ journey, the school has adopted Kloodle, a digital platform designed to help students track their development, reflect on progress and build career-ready profiles.
Jenny Rooney explains: “We really love the way Kloodle profiles can be converted into a CV to show potential employers, parents or colleges.”
Students use Kloodle to document achievements and build evidence of key skills, including resilience, reliability, confidence, communication, ownership, and self-worth and pride.
The school is also planning to use Kloodle’s new “check-in” feature, which supports 
mental health tracking and allows students to communicate their wellbeing directly to teachers. This adds another layer of care and responsiveness to their holistic approach.
The Objective: Transformation And Belonging Through Education
At its heart, Changing Lives SEN is about transformation and belonging. It’s more than an alternative to mainstream education, it’s a purpose-driven pathway helping students to reconnect with society, feel a sense of belonging, rediscover their potential and build the skills they need for employment, independence and wellbeing. All this whilst doing something they really enjoy!
Through a blend of therapeutic activities and academic support the school is proving that every young person deserves a chance to thrive and that with the right environment, they will.
