Curriculum Intent
Through the Study Programme we deliver Animal Care qualifications, which encompass Dog Grooming; Animal Care & Veterinary Nursing). We deliver these to improve the learner’s knowledge, skills and behaviour within the Animal Care industry and also provide them with valuable experience (e.g.) Grooming the publics dogs, health checks on animals, Animal and Canine First Aid, putting on a dog show and external work experience for two weeks of the year.
This programme is run in partnership with Merseyside Career Development and Training (MCDT) Animal care learners will have access to a broad and balanced curriculum, which combines both theory and practical learning. This will develop Learners’ writing, presentation, and practical skills to meet the demands of the course assessments, whilst providing them with the skills needed to progress in life beyond the study programme.
The purpose of the Study Programme is to provide exceptional learning opportunities for young people in the Dog grooming and animal care Industry. We provide a programme which combines academic / practical studies, and varied work-based learning opportunities, with professional networking employment opportunities.
We have a proven track record of developing industry leading young professionals who have gone on to gain employment and some have set up their own successful businesses. Our organisation has first class industry experience, knowledge and professional networks which are key in designing the curriculum to the benefit of our students.
All qualifications are delivered to ensure learners gain a full insight into the requirements of working in their chosen animal industry. Delivery is planned to take into account completion of practical assessments, external synoptic exams and necessary unit completion across all qualifications. Delivery will also correspond with planned guest speakers that relate to topics being delivered. Practical elements will be delivered over the 3 terms, culminating in practical assessments, along with synoptic practical exams and online knowledge exam towards the end of term 3 for some qualification.
MCDT delivery staff use their industry and education knowledge to provide information, advice, and guidance and at times signpost learners to more suitable provisions or opportunities to ensure learners joining the study programmes are accurately placed. The implementation of this recruitment process enables the curriculum to be free flowing and positively impacts retention, success, and progressions results. Students will complete a wide range of practical activities over a one-year period. The intention is that they will take part in dog grooming practical sessions, be involved in grooming for show purposes The aim is for students to be competent in delivering a wide range of dog grooming services. This will give the students experience and advantage when they enter the jobs market. Fully qualified staff will deliver sessions which may be supported by “experts in field” who add subject specific knowledge to enrich and enhance student experience e.g., Show grooming/Breed specific grooming e.g., Poodle, hand stripping terriers etc. Sessions will be planned and differentiated to enable all students to benefit from the teaching, with students also developing their independent grooming skills.
MCDT are committed to supporting work-based learning opportunities during the programme. To support this all students will complete a minimum external placement of 50 hours. Students will complete work experience in a dog grooming/animal care setting to help develop their inter-personal skills and grooming/animal skills. Learners will have a “specialist” placement based on their career pathway which could be in a dog groomers /kennels/animal sanctuary etc
MCDT will deliver additional skills as an enrichment to the programme. This is focused on the areas of Safeguarding, Equality and Diversity, Radicalisation & Prevent, British Values, Careers Guidance and Relationship Education to improve awareness and knowledge of life in modern Britain and prepare them for employment. Guest Speakers on topics of relevance will also be considered to add further impact to topics and career guidance.
Students will receive an initial assessment for English which will be followed by ongoing delivery in order to support students towards re-sit examinations if required. English skills and competencies will be taught throughout the course with a focus on literacy and oracy. Students will receive an initial assessment for maths which will be followed by ongoing delivery in order to support students towards re-sit examinations if required. Numeracy skills and competencies will be taught throughout the course in relation to budget, blade sizes, ratio.
Animal Care sessions are taught on a weekly basis as per the learners’ campus timetable meeting Awarding Organisation guided learning hours. Tutors at each campus plan to support students’ progress towards their individual milestones. The weekly study programme timetable enables delivery staff to:
- Implement theory and practical sessions that follow a responsive approach of safe, connected, and regulated learning.
- Provide assignment workshops, feedback and 1-1 support.
- Create a standardised, fair delivery and assessment approach to Animal Care qualifications.
- Provide formative and summative feedback linked to learners’ qualification knowledge, skills, and behaviours, creating a well-rounded development approach.
- Blend core content across various modules to create an effective holistic approach.
- Effectively use Awarding Body guidance to teach, guide and assess.
- Encourage learners to work independently and in partnership with peers to ensure the best outcomes, retention of knowledge and progress towards their qualification goals
- Provide opportunities for learners to learn individually, in small groups or teams to develop their independent and social skills.
- Learners are aware of their own targets and are helped to understand how to progress.
- Ensure learners are supported to develop strategies to remain engaged and to be able to access learning and make good to outstanding progress.
- Provide a varied teaching approach providing a variety of experiences in the classroom and real-life experiences through work experience and external activities days to develop skills, knowledge, and behaviours.
- Deliver tasks designed sequentially to support students to develop and build upon their long-term memory retention.