Animal Care - Level 1

Start Date: 1st September 2025

Length 1 Year
Study Full-Time
Location Safari Academy

Qualification Gained

Level 1 Diploma in Land-Based Studies – Animal Pathway

Levels Explained

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More about the course

Our Animal Care - Level 1 course is the perfect way to introduce yourself to all aspects of the land-based sector, with a strong focus on animal care. This programme is ideal for anyone who is passionate about animals but needs to gain experience working with them.

During the course, you’ll understand what it’s like to work in land-based industries. You’ll have the opportunity to care for, feed and clean out a variety of different animals, as well as how to maintain their enclosures and work in a clean and safe environment.

This course offers an outstanding balance of both theoretical and practical learning within the unique environment of West Midlands Safari Park, where impressive animals are always close to the classrooms. For our more confident learners, there is the opportunity to complete work experience placements, though all our students will learn key employability skills. Gain essential experience and build the skills to progress onto higher-level courses!

Entry requirements

At least 3 GCSEs at grade 2 or above
A successful interview and reference.

What will I achieve?

Upon successful completion of this course, you'll receive a Level 1 Diploma in Land-Based Studies – Animal Pathway.

What will I learn?

Caring for animals
Animal accommodation
Animal classification, wildlife and conservation
Movement and handling of animals
Animal feedstuffs.

How is the course taught?

Practical work
Theory work.

How am I assessed?

External multiple-choice exams
Optional unit assessments.

Work experience opportunities

You'll undertake 60 hours of mandatory work experience with West Midlands Safari Park (or its close partners) as part of this course.

English and maths

If you're aged 16-18 and haven't achieved at least a GCSE grade 4/C in English and maths, you'll need to take English and maths classes alongside your programme of study.

English will be included through written assessments and using the correct vocabulary.

Maths will be included through practical weighing and measuring feed.

Tutorial

Tutorial is a program of essential topics affecting you as a potential employee and member of a community. You will cover topics to improve employability skills, mental fitness (both for you and those around you) and much more. It is an essential part of your personal development.

As part of you weekly timetable, you will be expected to take part in Tutorial. This consists of a 1-1 meeting (at least 3 a year) and Personal Development activities that develop you both personally and professionally. Part of the focus is to raise digital Standards and take part in Employer Engagement Activities such as guest speakers, logging Work Experience and in person and online networking.

We work with Student Experience, Careers and your Curriculum team to ensure your Tutorial elements link to your industry area and to create opportunities to develop key skills for profile raising as well as enabling you to create competitive applications and CVs.

Tutorial is also an opportunity to check in with you as part of a group and individually. You can discuss any issues you might be having that affect your learning and essentially identify strategies and support available to you.

Where can I progress?

Upon successful completion of this course, you can either go onto our Animal Care - Level 2 course or onto our Work-Based Animal Care - Level 2 course.

Call us: 01562 820811

Email us: enquiries@kidderminster.ac.uk

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Nicola Anslow

Education Manager - Safari Academy

My background is in teaching, where I taught in schools for over 20 years before becoming Education Manager at West Midlands Safari Park. Working in the animal care industry makes my job very varied and exciting. The best part is being amongst the stunning collection of animals we have close by. The industry is competitive, but if you have a passion for caring for animals, it's right for you.

Chloe Walton-Stenson

Course Lead - Safari Academy

Teaching at the Safari Academy is a unique and incredible setting for our learners. It means we can teach them to develop their skills to industry standards. We have a supportive campus where teaching staff get to know every learner on site. As part of a fast-moving industry, there’s always more we can learn about animals, so still being part of the zoo community and a lecturer means I can share best practices with our students. I am so proud of working in a zoo that is a BIAZA member, and I hope our students will be proud of this, too.

Adam Green

Course Lead - Safari Academy

Within my role, I can shape our students into becoming future Animal Management practitioners by utilising a blend of theoretical classroom activities with tangible industry practical experiences. We work tirelessly to promote not only our animals' welfare needs but also our students' outcomes so we can be confident in maintaining the health and welfare of animals in all settings. Alongside animal management knowledge, we also help foster independence and personal and employment skills using our industry professionals. Students can take what they have learned in the classroom and apply it at our dedicated Academy enclosures contained within our Academy under the watchful eye of our Discovery keeper.

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