Pupils from Ashgate Specialist Support Primary School in Wythenshawe enjoyed a special pony therapy session, after being crowned the Manchester region’s winner of Vision for Education’s creative competition.

Students at the school for children with learning difficulties and autism, were thrilled to get the chance to meet and stroke Mr P, an American miniature pony, and Welsh pony Cracker, when they visited the school today.

Their winning entry, which all the students helped create, was a life size miniature pony made from a mixture of fabrics and other materials. The creative pupils also produced a handmade book about ponies and competition rosettes.

Vision for Education ran the competition with SEND schools across the UK.

Will Washington, Vision for Education’s SEND Director, said: “Staff at Vision for Education’s Manchester office were amazed by the creativity and amount of work put in by the students from Ashgate and the other schools which entered the competition.

“Studies have shown that therapy sessions with animals have a positive impact on people and can be extremely beneficial for people with special needs and learning difficulties, so this was the perfect prize for the creative students.”

Vision for Education have a genuine commitment to the learning and development of children and young people, and regularly run creative and education competitions, sponsor sports teams and awards, and organise special events in schools, to help improve pupils’ learning environment and experiences.