Wolverley CE Secondary School runs on-site animal centre BTEC care

Wolverley CE Secondary School in Worcestershire has spent the past decade building an on-site animal centre that now houses about 65 animals across roughly 30 species, giving pupils hands-on experience with creatures from meerkats and sugar gliders to goats, snakes and rabbits. The facility, started in 2014, delivers formal qualifications in animal care while also supporting cross-curricular lessons and special educational needs provision.

The animal centre began with a Syrian hamster and a bearded dragon and has expanded steadily to include farm, exotic and companion species. Pupils are involved in daily husbandry tasks such as feeding, watering, grooming, handling, exercise and routine health checks. Those enrolled on the school’s BTEC animal care courses, open to Years 10 and 11, use dedicated protective overalls and boots to reduce the risk of disease transfer. Around 83 students were reported to be taking the BTEC provision at the time of the school’s most recent update.

School leaders said the centre is staffed year-round by three full-time animal technicians, with eight casual staff available to cover weekends and annual leave. To protect animal welfare, every handling...