At Co-op Academy Bebington, we are passionate that all our students should experience a broad range of subjects. Our BTEC Level 1/2 in Animal Care provides pupils of all abilities with an introduction to the animal care sector and links to our long established school farm. Animal Care is an important part of Britain’s land-based economy and is an ever-growing employment industry. The course provides pupils with the key principles, knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to the animal care sector.

Learners will develop their knowledge and understanding of animal health and disease prevention. Learners will also study: animal behaviour, safe animal handling and animal accommodation.

It is our aim that students will work with a wide range of different animals to broaden their knowledge and skills. Students will be able to handle animals from various groups, including small and large mammals, avian, reptiles and invertebrates.

Our learners will have the depth of knowledge and skills to be able to continue their studies on to BTEC Level 3 in Animal Management and further on to university studies within the animal care sector. 

Staff Members

Miss S. McRae – Curriculum Coordinator

Miss A. Leyland – Farm Manager

Mr A. Pierce – Farm Technician

In Year 10 Animal Care is an option subject that is available for students to study at Key Stage 4 and beyond. In year 10 students will study Pearson BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Award in Animal Care. 

Topics covered in year 10 –

• Animal Handling – learning how to handle a variety of animals safely. Assessed by coursework assessments. 
• Animal Housing and Accommodation – learning how to choose, set up and maintain appropriate housing for a variety of animals. Assessed by coursework assessments. 

In year 11 Animal Care is an option subject that is available to study at Key Stage 4 and beyond. In year 11 students follow the Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Animal Care 

Topics covered in year 11 –

• Animal Welfare coursework unit – the roles of different animals in our society
• Animal Welfare coursework unit – organisations that ensure that animals are well cared for in society
• Animal Welfare coursework unit – the responsibilities of owning a pet
• Animal Handling coursework unit – looking at the risks and hazards of working with animals
• Animal Handling coursework unit – building a portfolio of handling animals, using a range of handling techniques and the reasons as to why we have to use different methods

At Key Stage 5 students can choose to follow the programme of study by – 

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Animal Management

Over the 2 year course students will study modules in: 

• Animal Biology
• Animal Welfare and Ethics
• Animal Handling and Husbandry
• Animal Behaviour
• Animal Health and Diseases
• Work Experience in the Animal Sector
• Investigative research project
• Animal management in a Retail Environment

It is expected that all our Animal Management students are committed and willing to be  involved in all aspects of farm life on a daily basis; feeding and caring for our animals.  

• Animal care sector
• Farming sector
• Further education in animal management
• Further education in animal welfare
• Further education in animal studies e.g. animal behaviour, zoology