Animal Care
Subject Teachers: S Stones and J Pettitt
The animal care sector is developing rapidly from a low-grade, largely manual sector into a service industry meeting the broad demands of the animal-owning and interested public. In 2019 the animal care sector is worth approximately £1 billion to the UK economy. This sector has 20,000 businesses, 78,000 employees and many volunteers.
There are many different career paths and opportunities for those wishing to work in animal care. The animals involved can be small or large, domesticated or exotic, and the work can be in sub-sector areas such as animal welfare, business, science and wildlife conservation.
Study of this sector at Key Stage 4 will complement GCSE study through providing an opportunity for practical application alongside conceptual study. There are also strong opportunities for post-16 progression in this vital sector.
The Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Animal Care (603/7057/9) is for learners who want to acquire sector-specific applied knowledge and practical skills through vocational contexts by studying animal health and welfare, including signs of good and ill health, causes, transmission and treatment of common diseases in animals, the different health and monitoring checks, factors that affect animal behaviour, and how this impacts of handling and restraint; and what needs to be carried out to prepare, check and clean out animal accommodation as part of their Key Stage 4 learning. The qualification enables learners to develop their practical skills, such as using appropriate equipment and techniques to handle and restrain different animals, and to prepare and clean out animal accommodation ready for use using realistic vocational contexts. It will also develop personal skills, such as self-management and communication, through a practical and skills-based approach to learning and assessment. The qualification recognises the value of learning skills, knowledge and vocational attributes to complement GCSEs. The qualification will broaden learners’ experience and understanding of the varied progression options available to them.
You can read more about this programme here: https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/btec-tec-awards/animal-care/2022/specification-and-sample-assessments/60370579-btec-tech-award-animal-care-2022-spec-ppd1-200721.pdf
Year 10 - Autumn term
Animal Handling - Learners will develop their animal handling skills. They will also gain understanding of the principles of animal behaviour, enabling them to handle and restrain animals safely.
Year 10 - Spring term
Animal Handling - Learners will develop their animal handling skills. They will also gain understanding of the principles of animal behaviour, enabling them to handle and restrain animals safely.
Year 10 - Summer term
Animal Housing and Accommodation - Learners will develop their understanding of the accommodation and housing requirements of animals by carrying out the preparation, checking and cleaning out of animal accommodation.
Year 11 - Autumn term
Animal Housing and Accommodation - Learners will develop their understanding of the accommodation and housing requirements of animals by carrying out the preparation, checking and cleaning out of animal accommodation.
Year 11 - Spring term
Animal Health and Welfare – Learners will cover all aspects of animal health and welfare and develop a good understanding of the relationship between looking after the wellbeing of the animal and the effect this has on maintaining animal strength and vigour. Learners will also explore how animals are used in society and how they are protected by legislation.
Year 11 - Summer term
Animal Health and Welfare – Learners will cover all aspects of animal health and welfare and develop a good understanding of the relationship between looking after the wellbeing of the animal and the effect this has on maintaining animal strength and vigour. Learners will also explore how animals are used in society and how they are protected by legislation.
