animal care

At Saints Peter and Paul Catholic High School, our Animal Care curriculum reflects our deep commitment to stewardship of creation and respect for the dignity of living beings, central tenets of Catholic Social Teaching

By nurturing compassion, responsibility, and aspiration, we motivate and prepare all students, regardless of background or ability, not only for industry-relevant skills, but for lives shaped by faith, ethics, and respect for creation.

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the ways its animals are treated”

Mahatma Gandhi

Our mission is to ensure that all students are safe, happy, flourishing, and succeeding in their animal care educational journey.

Our curriculum is designed to:

Equip students with breadth of knowledge across a growing UK industry.
Develop expertise in animal behaviour, health, welfare, habitat, and relevant legislation.
Offer hands-on experience in handling and restraint of different species and preparing and cleaning animal accommodation.
Promote compassionate professionalism, integrating Catholic values with practical skills.
Offer inclusive, safe, and aspirational learning experiences for all students.

Through this, we nurture responsible, confident learners prepared for progression in animal care pathways.

The Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Animal Care is a vocational qualification that provides students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to understand the care, welfare and management of animals. Students explore topics such as animal health, behaviour, accommodation, nutrition and responsible ownership, while developing an understanding of the ethical and legal responsibilities involved in working with animals. The course combines classroom learning with practical application, helping students build valuable employability skills and prepare for further study or careers in animal care, veterinary services, animal welfare, conservation and related industries

Key Stage 4 | BTEC Tech Award in Animal Care

Our structured Key Stage 4 curriculum comprises three sequential components:

Component 1 | Animal Handling & Restraint (Year 10)

Component 2 | Animal Welfare Needs & Accommodation

Component 3 | Animal Health

Students benefit from:

A balanced blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience: handling animals, preparing accommodations, and learning welfare norms
A variety of teaching approaches: discussions, research, paired and independent learning, and practical sessions.
Industry-linked enrichment: visits from specialists, trips to animal care settings providing authentic, real-world insights
Assessment strategies: internal assignments and practical demonstrations, combined with an externally assessed exam component

Enrichment & Career Pathways

Designed to inspire future professionals, the curriculum provides:

Hands-on exposure through animal care environments and guest practitioners.
Guidance toward progression opportunities, including Level 3 Animal Management qualifications or apprenticeships.
Real insight into the growing animal care industry, helping students make informed decisions about their futures.

Catholic SOCIAL TEACHING

The BTEC Tech Award in Animal Care demonstrates Catholic Social Teaching by promoting the principles of stewardship of creation and respect for life. It emphasizes the responsible and ethical treatment of animals, reflecting the Catholic commitment to care for God's creation and the dignity of all living beings. Through this course, students are encouraged to develop a sense of responsibility and compassion, which are key aspects of Catholic values.