Further & Higher Education

We offer Further and Higher Education establishments the opportunity to visit our Sanctuary for a learning experience. This can include a pre booked activity such as creating enrichment or behavioural observations on our animals, a talk about animal welfare or training or a behind the scenes visit to our hospital.

We welcome students to carry out research projects with us, and suggest they contact our Education Officer, education@owlhelp.org.uk in the first instance to discuss what options might be available. These do not necessarily have to be animal related, and we can provide opportunities for art, education, film and media and tourism students.

Work Placements

We are happy to provide students with work placements as part of their course. We can provide placements for students on Animal, Education, Tourism or Art/ Media courses - some of these placements may not be available year round due to the seasonal nature of our organisation.

ALL PLACEMENTS MUST BE PART OF A CURRICULUM OR A CONFIRMED REQUIREMENT FOR EXTRA CURRICULAR/FURTHER EDUCATION COURSES.

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE STUDENTS WITH NO/ MINIMAL INPUT FROM PARENTS/ CARERS/ TEACHERS (unless there are additional needs, which must be disclosed in the application process)

The types of work experience/work placements we offer are as follows:

• Year 10 work experience (14-15 year olds) - 1 week offered only, working Monday – Friday 09:30-15:30.

• Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme (age 14+) - Working Saturday or Sunday 08:30-12:30. Duration required to be discussed at interview.

• College/ University student (age 16+ must be level 2 or above) - 1 day a week only 08:30 –17:00 (to be arranged upon approval)
  1st year students are required to have at least 6 months classroom learning experience before placement starts, providing they meet the criteria upon interview,

• Veterinary students (18+) - Can offer 1 or 2 week blocks over 5 or 7 days, or spread over a period of time, working hours 08:30-17:00.
  All requirements discussed in person due to different module requirements.

Please note working times may differ depending on the season and operational requirements of the organisation.

Applications will only be accepted from students who fulfil the criteria below. Placements will only be offered following a successful interview. This interview will not involve any practical tasks, but will assess the suitability of the students, including their initiative and confidence. We will also seek references from teachers/ course coordinators prior to confirming any placements. This is to ensure the welfare and safety of the student, our staff, volunteers, visitors, animals and birds.

CRITERIA

• Ability to follow instructions

• Able to carry out various tasks in a safe and efficient manner, including cleaning out enclosures, preparing food and helping with maintenance jobs

• Good time keeping and communication skills

• Interest in working with animals

A typical day (although no two days are the same!):

8.30 – Arrive and briefing by the team. Find out who you’re working with.

9am – Help with morning tasks. This could include gutting and preparing food for the birds, helping the falconers do weigh round and health checks on the birds, or helping the keepers to clean out our mammals. Depending on your placement requirements, this could also include helping in our Raptor Hospital, cleaning aviaries and keeping the consultation room clean and tidy.

11am – Observe the Meerkat feed and talk

11.30 – Watch our flying display, take the opportunity to see our birds flying and learn more about them from the falconers.

12.30 – Lunch

1pm – Maintenance tasks such as gardening, path sweeping, cleaning signage etc

2.30 – Afternoon display, as above

3.30 – Feed round

4.30 – Get food out of freezer for the following day, clean the feed kitchen, clean and tidy the falconers hut.

5pm – Hometime!

“During my placement I was able to handle some of the birds, be involved in their feeding and daily routine and also to see some of the work in the Hospital. I thoroughly enjoyed this placement; it is a unique opportunity and I gained lots of experience and knowledge. The staff were all exceptionally helpful and taught me how to safely handle both wild and trained birds as well as how to care for them. My favourite aspects of this placement were getting to see, and be involved in, some of the training of the birds and seeing the rehabilitation process of the wild birds.“
Isobel Steele, University of Nottingham

 “Becoming a part of the team during my work experience was a pleasure. The role enabled me to be in the presence of beautiful birds and lovely people. As a work experience student, my main roles included keeping the grounds tidy and ensuring high levels of animal husbandry by cleaning aviaries. Overall I gained invaluable experiences working with the general public and animals, which secured me the roles of Trainee, and later Falconer, as full time staff.”
Jade Baldwin, West Suffolk College

“Volunteering and undertaking work experience at SOS provided me with a plethora of opportunities; I gained animal husbandry, wildlife conservation, visitor engagement, and ground maintenance skills that forged the path for a career with animals. I will forever be grateful to the knowledgeable and hardworking staff and volunteers who facilitated my learning, which ultimately helped me to achieve the role of Trainee Falconer at SOS this year.”
Isobel Baker, University of Reading

Please contact our co-ordinator Beckie on beckie@owlbarn.co.uk to discuss further.