Horticulture at Stable Futures

Growing Skills, Confidence, and Connection Through Nature

Horticulture is a core part of our Alternative Curriculum and one of the many nature-based therapeutic interventions we offer across both our Farm and Paddock sites.

At its heart, horticulture at Stable Futures is about more than planting and growing—it’s about nurturing emotional wellbeing, building transferable life skills, and reconnecting young people with the rhythms of nature.

Why Horticulture?

Gardening is a powerful, hands-on learning tool that supports emotional healing and educational engagement. It’s a structured yet calming activity that promotes curiosity, patience, and a sense of achievement.

Our supervised horticulture sessions support:

Therapeutic outcomes – enhancing mental health and emotional regulation
Vocational skills – developing work-ready abilities and confidence
Social interaction – encouraging teamwork, peer connection, and community engagement

Working with soil, plants, and seasonal change helps learners experience growth and progress in real time—making it a particularly rewarding part of their journey.

All-Year-Round Learning

At Stable Futures, horticulture is a year-round offer. Our learners engage with:

Planting and harvesting programmes in our polytunnels
“Plant to Plate” healthy eating and food-growing curriculum
Foraging and environmental exploration in our woodland spaces
Ecology and sustainability, including growing for animal feed and understanding natural cycles

Horticulture at both our sites is linked across the curriculum—connecting to science, art, maths, history, and even literature. It’s a living classroom where students of all ages can learn through doing.

Therapeutic Horticulture Programmes
We offer three types of structured horticultural experiences:

Therapeutic – Promoting wellbeing, recovery, and emotional resilience
Vocational – Building skills for future employment and independent living
Social – Fostering connection, teamwork, and shared experiences

Holistic Benefits
Gardening and being outdoors support:

Improved mood, reduced anxiety and stress
Increased self-esteem and social skills
Sensory stimulation and physical coordination
A sense of purpose and responsibility

Connecting with living things and seeing their own efforts take root and flourish can be profoundly healing for young people.

Themes Explored

Roots and Shoots
Growing Food
Natural Environment
Green Spaces and Land Use
Foraging and Rural Life
Climate, Seasons, and Sustainability

Accreditation Available

Learners can work towards AQA Unit Awards and Certificates, celebrating progress, engagement, and achievement in a supportive and flexible format.