HorseWorld Discovery

Write your letter to HorseWorld Discovery

Tell us what you wish people understood about going back to school when education isn't straightforward.

This is where you can send your letter to HorseWorld Discovery as part of our #NotBackToSchool campaign.

Whether you're a young person finding education difficult to engage with, or a parent or carer supporting a young person whose experience of school looks different, we want to hear from you.

Submit your letter by 30 September 2026.

Everyone who takes part will be invited to a special Discovery event in October.

Full details below the form.

What are we asking you to do?

We're asking young people, parents and carers to write a letter telling us:

What do you wish people understood about going back to school, when you or your child struggles to go back?

There are no right or wrong answers.

You don't need to explain everything, and you don't need to share anything you're not comfortable sharing.

Your letter can be as long or as short as you like. You can tell us about your experience, what you wish teachers or other adults understood, what has helped, what hasn't helped, or simply something you wish people would see differently.

Most importantly, we want to listen.

Why are we asking?

Across Bristol, Bath and beyond, many young people face challenges that can make engaging with mainstream education difficult.

This might include anxiety, trauma, disrupted education, unmet SEND needs or other barriers to learning. Sometimes it's a combination of things that makes attending, engaging and feeling that you belong particularly difficult.

But behind every absence is a young person with their own experience.

Struggling to engage with education doesn't mean a young person doesn't want to learn.

At HorseWorld Discovery, we work with young people who are struggling to engage with education and everyday life. We want to understand more about what young people and the people supporting them experience — and what they wish others understood.

Your experiences can help us challenge assumptions and make sure the voices of young people, parents and carers are part of the conversation.

What will happen to your letter?

You share - You send your letter to us using the form on this page.

We listen - We'll read the letters and look for the experiences, ideas and themes that people are sharing with us.

You stay in control - We'll ask for your permission before sharing your letter publicly.

You can say yes or no when you complete the form. Choosing not to give permission will not stop you from taking part.

If you give permission for your letter to be shared, we'll explain where and how we may use it.

We bring your voice into the conversation

With your permission, individual letters may be shared as part of the #NotBackToSchool campaign.

We may also use the themes and learning from the letters to help inform HorseWorld Discovery's work around barriers to learning, school absence and alternative provision.

We will not assume that because you have sent us a letter, you have given us permission to publish it. If you give permission, your letter may be used on HorseWorld's website, social media, campaign materials and other HorseWorld communications. All identifying information will be removed and we may edit your letter for length or clarity. 

We keep listening

This isn't just about September.

The experiences shared through this campaign will help us continue conversations about how we can better understand and support young people whose experience of education doesn't fit the mainstream picture.

A note about sensitive information

You don't need to tell us anything you're uncomfortable sharing.

Please avoid including unnecessary personal information about yourself or other people in your letter - particularly information that could identify another young person.

If you are writing on behalf of a young person, please only share information that you are comfortable providing and that is necessary for us to understand your experience.

About HorseWorld Discovery

HorseWorld Discovery is HorseWorld's alternative learning provision for young people who are struggling to engage with education and everyday life.

We provide a different environment where young people can build confidence, develop skills and reconnect with learning.

This campaign is about listening to the experiences behind the statistics and making sure those experiences are heard.

If you have any questions please email Discovery@horseworld.org.uk