Animal Care

Animal health, animal welfare and principles of animal behaviour

Through a combination of practical experience and written assignments, these vocational qualifications provide level 1 and level 2 learners with the knowledge, skills and understanding needed for a career in the Animal Care sector.

Animal Care Curriculum Overview 

Key Stage 4

BTEC Level 1/2 First Award in Animal Care

Students will follow the Pearson BTEC Level 1/2 First Award in Animal Care

This course promotes learning across a variety of experiences and through various processes, tools, techniques, materials and resources to generate different kinds of evidence of working and outcomes.

What will I study?

The Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Animal Care has been developed to provide an engaging introduction to the animal care sector for learners aged 14 years and above. It is designed to be taken as part of a broad curriculum, alongside GCSEs and/or other vocational subjects.

Animal care is a vital sub-sector within the land-based industry and is important to the UK economy.

This BTEC First Award is designed to give an introductory overview to some of the key principles, knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to the animal care sector. Learners will study animal health, which is externally assessed via a written paper-based exam, as this knowledge and understanding is essential when caring for animals. Learners will also develop their safe animal handling skills, which is vital in order to effectively care for animals.

Learners will then have the option to choose two areas to study from a limited range of optional specialist units:

• Unit 3: Animal Welfare
• Unit 4: Animal Housing and Accommodation
• Unit 5: Principles of Animal Behaviour.

This qualification is intended for Level 2 learners, with Level 1 achievement possible, where appropriate, for some learners. This qualification also signposts links to the GCSE English and mathematics criteria to contextualise literacy and numeracy within a work-based environment. Upon successful completion of this qualification, learners could progress onto further study in a related area, for example, the BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Animal Management, or more broadly to other land-based subjects at Level 3.

Long-term plans

• Year 10 – Long Term Plan – Animal Care
• Year 11 – Long Term Plan – Animal Care 

Key Stage 5

BTEC Level 1/2 First Award in Animal Care

Students in years 12 and 13 will follow the Pearson BTEC Level 1/2 First Award in Animal Care

Full details can be seen above.

Long-term plans

• Year 12 – Long Term Plan – Animal Care
• Year 13 – Long Term Plan – Animal Care