Students attending West Midland Safari Park’s Animal Courses have had a great start to the year, with some excellent exam results exceeding the national pass rate.

The Park’s Education team currently run three accredited courses, from levels one to three, in their Safari Academy - a state-of-the-art, purpose-built education centre, which opened in May 2017. The courses are run in conjunction with Kidderminster College, part of Birmingham Metropolitan College.

Students managed to exceed the national level for a ‘pass’, achieving a high number of merits and distinctions for; Level 2 Technical Certificate in Animal Care, Level 3 Advanced Technical in Animal Management and Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Animal Management. Education Manager, Nicola Anslow, said:

“We are delighted with the excellent results achieved by all of our Animal Care and Animal Management students this year. It is a testament to the dedication of the Park’s Education team and the hard work put in by our students.

“To have results that are above the national average for both year groups in level 3, and to have obtained our best ever results for level 2 in the same year, is fantastic. We are very proud that we are able to go some way to inspiring the next level of conservationists.”

Following the results, the students will now decide to either continue their education at the Safari Park and advance to the next level, or leave the Safari Academy to go to university or find a work alternative.

Students study at the Park from one to four years dependent upon the course. The courses are run in partnership with Kidderminster College and BMET who complete the programme of study with extra English, maths, digital skills and pastoral care.

For those interested in studying an animal related course from Level 1 upwards, they can contact the Safari Park Education Team on 01299 404888 or by email at animal.care@wmsp.co.uk.