Racecourse helps children find their winning post

Children not in mainstream schools have been given a tour of a racecourse to help open up new opportunities for them.

Year eight and nine students from Springwell Alternative Academy, in Lincoln, met a jockey and a retired racehorse at Market Rasen Racecourse.

Jockey Henry Brooke gave the children a behind-the-scenes look at the weighing room and tack room, where riding equipment is stored, as well as the grounds and the course.

Lindsey Fletton, a parent and pupil support worker at the academy, said: "It's a totally different experience for them. It gives them different avenues to look at."

Among the students were Dolly and Shannon, who said they enjoyed the day out.

Shannon said: "The fences they jump are really big."

Dolly added: "Bigger than me."

The girls said they loved meeting Hally, the retired racehorse, and feeding her grass.

"She's so soft and she's so big," Shannon said.

Springwell Alternative Academy caters for children who have been, or are at risk of being, excluded from mainstream schools.

Alison Gordon, an intervention teacher, said: "Most of our pupils like to be hands on, it gives them an outlook on what is out there other than the normal paths.

"It's been really beneficial.

"They got the chance to meet Henry Brooke and learnt about his experience at school, how he got into this career and even how many bones he has broken."

Lindsey added: "It's been an amazing experience for the children, some of the things we heard about, I never thought would be possible for them to do."

Market Rasen Racecourse runs a community engagement initiative, which includes building relationships with schools.

Alice Cosgrove, the clerk of the racecourse, said the children had seen parts of the course no one has access to on race days. They also took part in a marketing workshop and learnt about horse care.

She said there were a variety of job opportunities available in racing.

"You have your staff working directly with horses, hospitality on race days and grounds teams on the course.

"There are so many opportunities and it's about showing people, because they might not of thought about them."

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