Laura has over 17 years of experience in education and is a specialist in food and product design. Inspired by her son's challenges within mainstream primary education, she established an alternative provision founded on the belief that learning can be approached differently—particularly through practical, hands-on, and outdoor experiences.

More than a decade ago, Laura purchased the land with the original intention of keeping horses. Since then, she has developed Carrolls Equestrian into a unique learning environment that promotes animal care, self-sufficiency, sustainability, and environmental awareness. A passionate gardener from childhood and an avid horse rider since the age of four, Laura has always found horses to be a source of comfort, confidence, and resilience.

Having been diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD later in life, Laura understands first-hand the challenges that many young people face within traditional education settings. Her own experiences of struggling at school, alongside periods of burnout and anxiety, have given her valuable insight into the barriers that can prevent children from reaching their full potential.

Through Carrolls Equestrian, Laura combines her personal experiences, educational expertise, and passion for the outdoors to create a nurturing and supportive environment where children can build confidence, develop practical life skills, and thrive both personally and academically.

Marie has been a registered Mental health nurse for 7 years and previous to this worked within Autism services for 10 years. 

Marie has worked with child and adolescent mental health services and now works within adult mental health.

Marie is passionate about animal and Horticultural therapy and its positive impact upon mental health.

Marie has been home educating her son for 3 years and both of her children are neurodiverse, giving Marie professional and personal experience of children with SEND and Mental health needs.

I am a caring, hardworking and adaptable person with a wide range of experience. I have two children with additional needs, which has given me valuable experience in providing patience, understanding and support. I have also worked at a horse stud and regularly help out on farms with lambing and various other jobs. In addition, I have experience working in kennels with dangerous dogs, where I developed confidence, responsibility and an understanding of animal care and safety. I also have experience in the hospitality industry, working at large events where I have developed strong communication, teamwork and organisational skills. These experiences have helped me become reliable, hardworking and confident in a variety of different environments.

Rachael Lawrence is the Director of Unbridle your Potential, an independent collaborative partner organisation which offers Equine Facilitated Learning. The mission of Unbridle Your Potential is to help children and young people feel they can go from where they are to where they want to be. They aim to empower them with life skills and confidence, through experiential learning with horses.

Rachael is an accredited Equine Facilitated Learning Practitioner with a Level 4 LEAP Method Award accredited by Crossfields Institute and regulated by OFQUAL. This is an in-depth two-year qualification at degree level with 430 hours of study.

Rachael is also a trainee CPCAB Counsellor (currently level 3), safeguarding trained and DBS checked, and works within the professional British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Ethical Framework.

Rachael firmly believes in the ability of horses to support children and young people to grow and develop, as well as improve mental health and has seen the benefits of Equine facilitated learning both personally and for clients. Rachael has family members with Autism, and experience with neurodivergence, and also works with Riding for the Disabled regularly. Rachael has partnerships with various organisations and yards in Warwickshire, and offers EFL at At the Land, Coventry as well as locations in Stratford, Rugby and Leamington.

Bridgett is a trained counsellor with over 15 years of experience working with children and young people across a variety of educational settings. Her career began as a Teaching Assistant in a primary school, where she developed a strong understanding of children’s individual needs and the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive environment.

Bridgett then moved into a special needs school, gaining valuable experience supporting children with a wide range of additional needs and developing a deeper understanding of neurodiversity. She later progressed into a secondary school setting, where she held a number of key roles, including Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), mentor, Inclusion Manager and Behaviour Manager. These roles gave her extensive experience in understanding children’s behaviour, supporting their emotional wellbeing, promoting inclusion and ensuring that individual needs were recognised and met.

Although Bridgett is now retired, she continues to support sessions within our setting and provides a wealth of knowledge, experience and insight. Her understanding of children’s behaviour, integration and inclusion is incredibly valuable to our team. Bridgett is particularly able to help us consider the individual needs of children, including their different neurodiversities, and how we can adapt our environment and approach to ensure every child feels supported, understood and included.

Outside of her professional work, Bridgett has a real passion for horticulture and gardening. This love of growing and nurturing plants was passed down to her by her mum and is a passion she has, in turn, passed on to Laura. Through Bridgett’s influence, Laura has developed her own love of gardening and growing food, making horticulture an important shared interest and a meaningful part of their family connection.

Farming has been part of his family for over three generations, with a strong heritage in caring for cattle and sheep. He is a passionate and innovative farmer, always looking for new ideas and better ways to farm while putting animal welfare at the heart of everything he does.

He has been involved with Young Farmers for many years and regularly opens his farm to host farming events, social gatherings and educational opportunities for young farmers across the Midlands and Warwickshire. He has also spent time farming in New Zealand, gaining valuable experience and learning different approaches to agriculture.

Education and supporting the next generation is an important part of his family’s farming tradition. His family have welcomed many apprentices over the years, teaching young farmers about livestock care, breeding, animal welfare and the food chain. He has also arranged farm visits for children, giving them valuable hands-on experience and the opportunity to learn about animals and farming.

As someone who is neurodiverse himself, he understands the challenges some children and young people face. He is always willing to lend a hand, share his knowledge and introduce new, practical ways of caring for animals that are both efficient and effective, while ensuring their welfare remains the priority.

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