A unique campus in the countryside
Set within more than 60 acres of working farmland and based in rural West Oxfordshire, Common Leys Farm is home to all our Animal Care courses and is a learning environment like no other.
Meerkats, alpacas, snakes and more!
Our Animal Care students work with a wide variety of mammals, reptiles and birds to gain as broad an understanding of caring for animals as possible, all within specialist indoor and outdoor units and enclosures.
Dream of working with animals for a living?
Our Animal Care & Management courses offer a practical, specialised route into a career for caring for animals of all sizes. A typical day could include feeding the alpacas, checking the nightlife webcam footage and camera traps, learning about livestock feeding habits, before finishing the day by helping to maintain the enclosures. No two days are ever the same here!
You will gain experience and insights into all aspects of looking after animals – biology, behaviour, welfare, conservation, retail management and more – to find out what really motivates you to go further in this industry.
Outside of lessons, learners help to run a dog agility arena at the Blenheim International Horse Trials, organise and run farm events for the public throughout the year, and have the amazing opportunity to go on a South African safari trip to study conservation.
Staff Profile: Lee Boyes
Lee's journey started with a Level 3 National Diploma in Animal Management, in which he gained a distinction. This was followed with a BSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the University of Central Lancashire, an MSc in Animal Welfare and a PGCE teaching degree.
His background includes volunteering and working part-time in vets, kennels and catteries, and becoming a manager of 35-40 staff at Pets at Home. His teaching career started at a college in Shropshire for 4 months, gaining invaluable experience, before being offered the position to lecture on the Animal Behaviour and Welfare and Animal Therapy and Rehabilitation degree courses at the College.
He is also a Level 3 qualified small animal hydrotherapist and continues to learn and develop his skills by studying for a PhD.
"Working with great, ambitious and funny people, staff and students alike, is what makes teaching these courses so enjoyable.
As a group we are always learning from one another, as everyone has their own specialist areas and anecdotes from their various careers, and you can quickly develop your skills in so many areas.
I get a lot of satisfaction helping and watching learners achieve and develop skills for the industry, as you know in will stand them in good stead for the future."
Did you know?
Chloe
Previous school:
Henry Box School
Even though it was a huge change coming here from school, everyone has been so supportive, and I’ve changed for the better.
The campus is amazing and I’ve always wanted to work with animals – being here has really helped me focus on what I want to do in the future, which is to follow the conservation career path.
Having just finished my course, I’m going stay at Common Leys and do the Animal Behaviour and Welfare foundation degree with Oxford Brookes University.
Emma
Previous school:
Larkmead School
Working with a wide variety of animals like reptiles, birds and livestock has been a great experience, and working with different people on different projects – this is something that has improved my confidence and communication.
The variety of what we do on the course is excellent and has helped me to discover what I enjoyed most. In the future, I am planning to do a degree in Wildlife Conservation.
Alice
Previous school:
Henry Box School
I really enjoyed working with the wide variety of animals here at Common Leys Farm.
All the teachers were supportive, friendly and they organised fantastic trips, such as going to Crufts!
College is a great way to meet new people and develop your skills in your chosen area of study. It helped me understand what's needed to go far in the animal care industry.
My future plans are to work in a zoo or safari park.
Your future career
Animal Nursing Assistant
Animal Scientist
Animal Technician
Catteries/Kennels Assistant
Dog Groomer
Dog Trainer Uniformed Services
Pet Shop Manager
RSPCA Inspector
Zoo Keeper
