Rotherham College Animal Care Students Place First

At the recent Inter-college Championship between Rotherham College and the Grimsby Institute, the Level 1 Animal Care students placed first in their category.

The tasks were designed by the Grimsby Institute’s teams to prepare learners for the pressure they may encounter in the work place. The teams were judged by members of staff and local employers with learners awarded first and second place certificates and medals.

The Rotherham College students Krystina, Kerry, Tara and Simona undertook a health assessment of three different animals. The team were given a brief once they’d arrived at Grimsby Institute along with other learners from the College who were to participate.

The team chose to do their health checks on a bearded dragon, a guinea pig and a rabbit which coincidentally were the same animals chosen by the Grimsby team.

Krystina, a single mum who previously worked in childcare chose to come to college to make a change after having her kids said “we were nervous about the challenge but working in a team made it easier.”

Simona and Tara both came from school on to the Level 1 course as they always liked working with animals and have dreams of seeing how far they can go, Tara wishes to go to York University after progressing through the levels at College.

Adult learner Kerry also chose to do animal care after looking after her son, she saw the opportunity to follow her dream of studying animal care when her son went to Wickersley School. The distance made studying easier for her, she commented “my favourite part of the course is learning about animals you wouldn’t expect like raccoons and meerkats.”

The team were excited and Tara commented it “felt amazing” to learn they had won. The group received their certificates and medals by Grimsby Town Football Club Goalkeeper James McKeown.

For more information about Animal Care courses at Rotherham College visit www.rotherham.ac.uk or call 01709 722777.