Overview
Work Experience Placement (Ages 15-16yrs)
This programme is open to students aged 15 and over who are seeking to complete a one-week work experience placement as part of a recognised school or college programme. The placement is designed to provide a realistic and structured introduction to working life, while offering an engaging insight into the day-to-day operations of a zoo environment.
Throughout the week, students will gain an understanding of workplace expectations, including timekeeping, teamwork, communication, health and safety, and personal responsibility. The placement aims to help students build confidence, develop transferable skills, and experience what it is like to be part of a working team in a professional setting.
What the Placement Involves
During the placement, students will have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of practical tasks that support the daily running of the zoo. Activities will vary depending on operational needs and weather conditions, but may include:
- General site maintenance and presentation, such as cleaning and maintaining pathways, walls, signage, and barriers
- Clearing vegetation and assisting with basic grounds work
- Painting and helping to maintain visitor areas
- Supporting animal keeping staff with routine duties, under close supervision
- Assisting with food preparation tasks, including sorting and preparing fruit and vegetables
- Helping to maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene within feed preparation areas
Direct contact with animals will be limited and always supervised. Students will only be involved in age-appropriate, non-hazardous tasks, with animal welfare and student safety remaining the highest priorities at all times.
Learning & Development
Students will work alongside experienced staff and gain insight into the variety of roles required to operate a zoo. They will be encouraged to observe professional working practices, ask questions, and reflect on the skills and responsibilities involved in animal care, conservation, and site operations.
By the end of the placement, students should have a clearer understanding of the realities of working in a zoo environment, as well as having developed valuable transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, reliability, and problem-solving.
Application Requirements
All students must be applying for this placement as part of a recognised school or college work experience programme.
Applications must be made by the student themselves. This forms an important part of the work experience process and helps develop independence, responsibility, and professional communication skills. Students should be prepared to confirm the required dates and provide any paperwork that may need to be completed by their school or college.
We are unable to accept applications that are not linked to a recognised educational programme. Proof of participation may be required before a placement can be confirmed.
Information for Parents and Guardians
We recognise that parents and guardians play an important role in supporting young people as they begin to explore the world of work. This placement is designed to be a safe, structured, and supervised introduction to a professional working environment, with student wellbeing and animal welfare as our highest priorities.
Students will be supervised by experienced staff at all times and will only be asked to carry out age-appropriate tasks. Health and safety procedures will be explained at the start of the placement, and students will be expected to follow all workplace rules and instructions throughout the week.
While parental encouragement is welcomed, we strongly encourage students to take responsibility for applying for the placement themselves. Managing the application process, communication, and preparation is an important part of the learning experience and helps build confidence and workplace readiness. Parents and guardians will be provided with relevant information once a placement has been offered.