Blackpool Zoo Keeper Academy: Participant Information

Blackpool Zoo Keeper Academy: Participant Information
Blackpool Zoo Keeper Academy is an animal based course for young people aged 15-
17 years old. The course will run over 10 sessions (either 10 Saturdays or 10 days
Monday to Friday over holidays), from 10.30am-3pm, including theory sessions on
working with different exotic species as well as over 30 hours of practical experience
with a range of zoo animals including invertebrates, reptiles, primates, large
mammals and elephants.

The course is designed for those who wish to pursue a career with animals and
require practical experience to enhance their application. Those who wish to
become vets, vet nurses, zookeepers or complete other animal based studies will
benefit from this exciting course.

Supported at all times by our education team, students will complete an evidence
portfolio of their work. At the end of the 10 sessions a certificate is presented at a
graduation along with a reference statement confirming that they have completed
all tasks to a satisfactory level.

2018 Timetable
Saturday Schools – 10 Saturdays
Course 1     6th January – 24th March (no course on 10th & 17th February)
Course 4     8th September – 24th November (no course on 20th & 27th October)
Summer Schools – 10 days (Monday to Friday for 2 weeks)
Course 2     30th July – 10th August
Course 3     13th – 24th August

Applications
Places for each course are limited to 12 students aged 15-17 years old.

Cost
£350 inc VAT. This must be paid in full to secure your place on one of the courses.
This can be paid in instalments but full payment must be made 30 days before the
course begins. All payments are non-refundable.

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Discounts
Included in the price is a discount card for the zoo cafe and main shop valid for the
period of the course. Each student will be given four entry tickets for family or
friends to attend the zoo and graduation on the final day of the course.

Theory Sessions
In each session we will cover basics about the group of animals’ anatomy, nutrition,
handling and restraint. The students will have work sheets to complete and a
portfolio that they will add to each day. The theory section will be at the start of the
day with a short plenary at the end.

Practical Sessions
Session 1     Session 2              Session 3        Session 4       Session 5
Induction &   Reptiles               Birds            Small           Large
Invertebrates                                         Mammals         Mammals

Session 6  Session 7                Session 8   Session 9  Session 10
Training & Small                    Animal      Carnivores Elephants &
Enrichment Primates                 Behaviour &            Graduation
                                    Research

The practical tasks for each session will connect to the group of animals being
studied. The sessions will not necessarily be in the order stated above due to
availability. Examples of practical tasks include cleaning out the giraffe and camel
beds, reptile handling, making enrichment toys for big cats and completing a
behavioural study on orangutans.

In addition the group will also prepare diets for either the mammal or primate
section within the zoo.

Graduation
On the final day of the course, family and friends of the students are invited to
attend the Blackpool Zoo Keeper Academy Graduation. Certificates will be presented
by a member of the zoo management team and there will be a short presentation
about the course. Four entry tickets will be given for each student to be used by
their family or friends on the graduation day.

Personal Qualities
You will need to be hard working and happy to be outside in all weather conditions.
You will be working with other young people, education and keeping staff, so you
must be a good team player and be to take part in a range of practical and classroom
based activities.

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Our Responsibility
We have carefully selected practical tasks that are enjoyable yet appropriate for a
group of young people. We risk assess all tasks and training is given to all
participants. This allows you to gain exciting experiences of working in a zoological
collection in a safe and managed way.

Our education team has many years of teaching within a zoo environment. Many of
our learning programmes involve practical tasks and we have extensive prior
experience delivering practical based tasks involving a range of different species.

Other Participants
Each Zoo Keeper Academy course is designed for 12 students. Many will be like you
and want to pursue a career working with animals in a variety of different fields. This
course is designed to assist young people to gain practical experience in a zoological
collection. The whole course is supervised by a member of the education team to
ensure an enjoyable, yet safe experience for all participants.

Behaviour
We expect exemplary behaviour from all participants, towards each other, zoo
visitors, the education and keeping staff as well as our animals!

Removal from the course
Blackpool Zoo reserves the right to remove a participant from the course for:
     Persistent lateness (more than 3 times)
     Unsociable behaviour
     Endangering themselves and others
     Compromising animal welfare

Illness
If for any reason you can not attend then please phone the education department on
01253 830805 before 9.30am on the day of the course and leave a message. Please
state your name, contact telephone number and the reason you are unable to
attend.

Payment
Full payment is required to secure your place on the course. Cheques are made
payable to “Blackpool Zoo”. Alternatively you can pay by credit/debit card at the zoo
reception or by phone 01253 830801. Payments are non-refundable.

Smoking
Smoking will not be allowed for the duration of the day 10.30am – 3pm.

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Food
You will need to bring your own packed lunch and drinks for each day of the course.
Food is also available to purchase within the zoo café.
You will be allowed free time at lunch to eat and explore the zoo.

Personal clothing and equipment
Please make sure you bring the following items every week. If you are unsure –
please ring 01253 83805 before the course starts.

Wellington boots
Sensible footwear – e.g work boots
Light waterproof jacket
Waterproof trousers (optional)
Dark trousers (not jeans)
Dark top – dress in layers so you can remove as appropriate when working
Stationary – pens/pencils
(A folder for your work will be provided on day 1)

Cameras
Part of the course involves compiling a portfolio of your practical and theory work at
the zoo. It is suggested that you bring your own camera so you can record the tasks
you are involved with. Members of the zoo staff will also take pictures to record the
activities

The zoo takes no responsibility for loss or damage of personal clothing and
equipment including cameras.

Evaluation and Assessment
To aid the constant improvement of the Zoo Keeper Academy course we will ask you
to fill out an evaluation form at the end of the course.

We require you to fill in all the worksheets, diary and photographic entries before
the end of the course. We will then send you a certificate of completion and a
written reference stating that you have fulfilled all the aims of the course. You will
also receive an e-mail with a link to all the photos taken on the course. You will have
4 weeks to save and download these pictures before they are removed from the site.

You will be able to keep the portfolio as evidence of your time at Blackpool Zoo and
hopefully use it at future university or college interviews and to aid your career with
animals.

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Order your Keeper
Academy hoodie and
t-shirt now. Hoodies
   £25.00, T-shirts
        £10.00

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