Zoology & Animal ManagementAges - 14-17
This intensive two-week programme if perfect for future Veterinarians, Zookeepers, Animal Biologists and those with a love and passion for animals. This course provides a superb opportunity for those pupils who wish to work with animals, wild or domestic, or who wish to have something unusual to sit alongside their scientific qualifications. Students will be able to move on to study veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing, zoology, conservation – and many other courses not directly connected with animals.
The Programme
Students learn about animal welfare and ethics, animal health and disease, animal behaviour, practical animal husbandry and work experience in the land-based sector.
We feel that a connection with animals is enriching, calming and fulfilling. Feeding meal worms to a gecko, trying to exercise a kinkajou, or listening to the calls of our primates – brings something to the lives of the young people who are privileged to be able to enjoy these opportunities.
Working in small groups, students complete daily research tasks based around their chosen topic of interest and linked to a species they have learned about. They then present their findings and conclusions within the class on the last day of the course.
Students look at wildlife conservation, both in captivity and in the wild, the ethics of keeping
animals in captivity, how to health check their pets, and perhaps most enjoyably – take part
in animal handling and feeding sessions, e.g. they are able to spend time feeding the white faced owl, cleaning out the Royal Pythons’ vivarium, or rearranging the branching in the home of the Siberian Chipmunks.
Description
A full programme of organised and supervised social events is offered every evening to encourage students to make new friends and develop their social skills. By actively encouraging the mixing of nationalities, we are helping to create a harmonious international community in which students can live, study in a safe and comfortable environment and enjoy themselves.
Aims
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Promote students' relaxation and enjoyment.
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Explore some typically English social events, games and activities.
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Nurture social skills in an environment of different cultural traditions.
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Use English in natural real-life speaking situations.
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Forge new friendships.
Examples
Bede’s Got Talent, Disco, House Competitions, Fashion Show, Formal Dinner & Dance, Karaoke, Messy Games, Music Quiz, Musical Workshop, Pool Party, Soft Ball Sports, Tennis, Tournaments.
Description
Excursions are a mandatory part of the programme. We offer students the opportunity to visit places of cultural and historical interest, as well as the chance for sightseeing, shopping and amusement.
Aims
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Deepen students' cultural experiences.
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Create opportunities for interaction with the real world in fun, relaxed and genuinely interesting ways.
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Enhance their knowledge of England and the UK.
Wednesdays
Wednesday trips are a half-day afternoon visit to a local Zoo with behind the scenes access and hands on animal experince.
Saturdays
Saturday excursions are a full day trip and include a cultural, touristic or recreational visit to London or another place of interest such as British Museum, Buckingham Palace, London Dungeon, London Eye, London Zoo, Madame Tussauds, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Thorpe Park, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey.
An alternative sightseeing tour of London will be available every Saturday.
Sundays
Sunday excursions are often more relaxing trips to a local seaside town, such as Brighton, Chichester, Eastbourne, Hastings or Worthing, where students can stroll along the beach, have lunch in the park or do some shopping. Sometimes students will partake in off-site activities.
Dates & Fees
The programme runs for two weeks in total, from 14 July to 27 July 2024.
The fully-inclusive course fee is £1,845 per week for a residential student for residential students, a return transfer from selected airports. Travel insurance is included for all students.
The Course
Age range 14 to 17 yrs. Maximum 14 students per week from different countries. Minimum English Level B1
Bede’s Summer School is delighted to be offering this hands-on, immersive course with unprecedented access to Bede’s Zoo under the expert tutelage of our Zoo Managers and Zoologists. Combining Animal Management and Zoology workshops with practical sessions in Bede’s Zoo in the morning, this programme is enhanced by a Research Project in the afternoons, which enables students to improve their general English language skills, practise communication and build confidence in public speaking.
The programme also enables students to look beyond our own school campus. Students will get the opportunity to visit at least two Zoos locally in the duration of their course, where they will have the opportunity to take part in talks and get a unique behind the scenes access on visits.
We accept levels from B1 (Intermediate) to C2 (Proficiency). We cannot accept Complete
Beginners or Beginners on this course. Students whose mother tongue is English are welcome on this course.
Zoology and Animal Management students will receive 20 hours of tuition per week. Specialist topics include animal welfare and ethics, practical animal husbandry, animal behaviour, animal classification and conservation.
09.00 ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
10.15 ANIMAL CARE & BEHAVIOUR
11.30 ANIMAL HANDLING
13.30 RESEARCH PROJECT
Students will join the rest of the summer school at 15.30 for sports and social activities.
The centre
Tennis courts, sports hall, swimming pool, gym, squash courts, astro-turf, playing fields, drama theatre, dance studios, IT suites, art studios.
Separate accommodation on campus for boys and girls. Most bedrooms have 2 to 4 beds (some single and larger bedrooms are available). Storage space is available. Bathrooms are shared. Students share their bedroom with children of a similar age and from different countries. Every boarding house has its own communal space for students to relax.
Bede’s staff provide excellent care for students 24 hours a day and live in the same sleeping areas as the students. Dedicated House Parents look after the students in each boarding house. Excellent staff:student ratios (typically 1:5). Individual attention provided. There is a surgery led by a qualified nurse a couple of times a week and students have access to a doctor if required.
Healthy meals with a mix of English and international dishes served in the Dining Room. Vegetarian options are always available. Special dietary requirements are accommodated.
Internet is available and an extensive Wi-Fi network across the campus. Skype is available. Students can make and receive telephone calls. Bede's Shop and a Village Shop for refreshments and snacks. Laundry is done for students at least twice a week. 24 hour emergency contact service for Parents.
Transfers from/to Heathrow and Gatwick Airports and St Pancras International Train Station are included in the fees between 09.00 and 18.00 (10.00-17.00 for St Pancras). Students are met by Bede's Staff and Bede's Airport Coordinators provide extra care.
Course Aims
- To learn the basics of Animal Management
- Build confidence to speak English more fluently
- to develop the students' understanding of Animal Husbandry, Care & Behaviour and Animal Handling
- Have a better understanding of the British way of life.
- Develop personal and social skills
- Motivate students to continue learning English after they leave Bede's
