BHS Teaching Qualifications

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Whoopit

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How many have taken BHS Teaching exams and how did you find them? I'm thinking of looking into it purely as leisure thing to do in my own time and teach if my friends want help etc, not to become a freelance instructor or make a career out of it, but wondered how much tuition you got from your "centre". Presumably you have to go to 'classes' in prep for the exams? Is it worth the effort or is it something thats just a piece of paper and you're better just getting a good reputation?
 
Whoopit I have had the same dilemma and interested to hear replies. Friends have asked me to teach but I feel like I'm not up to standard as I have no teaching qualifications. I decided that I can either get my bits of paper, or focus on riding/competing to a high standard and then its easy to find clients (obviously you'll need insurance still). The thing is there are many many people in this country with the basic BHS qualifications so you need something different to stand out anyway.
 
I supposed the advantage of the BHS qualification is that your teaching insurance becomes much more affordable. TBH it is fairly easy to spot the good and great instructors from the really bad ones with the same qualifications;)

The new format of the PTT exam is much more interesting to do these days as well.
 
I took my BHS exams 1-3 and PTT. They've stood me in good stead in my later career. I don't teach anymore, but when I've gone for other jobs it's stood me apart from other candidates who don't have them.
I was a working pupil when I took mine, and received riding training and lecture daily. I would imagine (for me) it would have been a lot harder not to study for them as part of my job.
 
You used to have to teach either a flat and a lunge lesson or a jump and lead rein lesson, and do a 10 minute talk on practically any horse related topic under the sun. Then to complete the AI you had to do 500 hrs teaching or 250 hrs in a BHS training yard plus have your complete Stage 3.

Now there is much more preparation (lesson plans and preparing 8 lecturette topics on much more relevant subjects) which becomes part of your portfolio. You teach 2 lessons but they can be the ones for which there are given briefs or the open brief ones which you have prepared yourself. You do your lecture on one of the 8 topics. The assessors' feedback also goes in your p/f plus your self assessment. To get the AI qualification you have to complete your p/f which is imo better than just randomly teaching 500 hrs perhaps not very well:D
 
ive not finished my Ai yet but intend to do so soon, i just struggle slightly with nevers XC on random horses so am going to go get lots of lessons on the horses i may draw at the exam,

i do more riding for people than lessons but do give lessons too, i dont charge as much as other AIs would in the area as i am not yet qualified and i think it would be unfair to ask for the same price, when i am qualififed i will put my prices up a small amount, i dont struggle to find clients at all and none have ever asked me how i am qualified but most of the work i get via word of mouth and recommendations, i deal mainly off reputation so it doesnt matter that im not qualified as of yet,
 
I have my Stage IV, passed many moons ago, and have just been updating it this year, as worked abroad for a while so let it all lapse. They are well worth doing, its not just the teaching element its the horse care, anatomy, nutrition and legal matters (child protection, first aid etc) all which improve not only your knowledge but the way you teach. I am also very impressed with how the BHS has moved with the times recently.

There is also an art to being a good instructor whatever you teach, there is no good knowing in your head what you want your client to do, you have to put it to them in the way the understand, with patience, apply a little pressure but preserving your clients confidence, assess each horse be quick to try another approach if the first is not working. At the end of the day you need to have many strings to your bow and these are certainly well worth having on your CV, there are good and bad BHS instructors but that is like most things in life.

I also have on my CV an very good competition record, and have produced horses to Grade A SJ, Intermediate Eventer and Advanced Medium Dressage. However I feel actually having my exams does swing it when people are looking for an instructor as it shows commitment and a recognised examination that you have done. As said above people come to you on word of mouth and reputation, and am fully booked.

I am also just finishing my exams to teach English as a Foreign Language, this teaches you a lot of skills to make yourself understood that I can easily translate and use for better explanation to my riding clients.

The more strings you have to your bow in this day and age is never ever a bad thing.
 
I did my AI, Stage IV and I Stable Manager also ABRS Grooms Diploma. I thoroughly enjoyed the training and the exams. As a result of all these I got residency in New Zealand really easily.

I did a lot of the study at home and put it all into practise when I was up at the yard. I taught most weekends and loved every minute of it.

Now I teach at Pony Club after having had a riding school in NZ for 10 years. I examine to B certificate level and have had two riders now ride for NZ and two pass Pony Club A certificate with Honours. So all in all I think it was worth all the effort. I still get a buzz from seeing my riders progress.
 
I am also very interested in this thread. I will be taking a GAP year in 2012 before I make the decision whether to go to Uni or not. I currently have my BHS stages 1 & 2, and taking my stage 3 in January. In my year off I hope to gain my teaching qualifications, as this is something I would enjoy as a job (although pay isn't great) or if not, it would at least be something to fall back on. Any advice appreciated.
 
It's well worth attending the BHS PTT training sessions and /or standard setting days.

Details can be found on the BHS website - training and exam sections.

I have worked my way through the BHS system, and whilst there is no substitute for experience, and a sound competition background, qualifications definitely help you on the job front.

I have just started freelance grooming alongside teaching and it has made it much easier to pick up work.

You can also apply to have stages awarded if you have had sufficient experience in the horse world. You pay a fee to the BHS and submit a CV and references. I know of two people who have never taken BHS exams but have been awarded the full BHSII which was deemed to be commensurate with their industrial experience.:)
 
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