STAFF and students at West Midland Safari Park are celebrating after achieving fantastic exam results for courses in Animal Care and Animal Management.

This is their most successful year in terms of how many students achieved the top grades of ‘distinction’ and ‘distinction star’, with 63 per cent of Level 3 Technical Extended Diploma students achieving one or more distinction grades or higher, all achieving their university places.

Half of learners studying Level 2 Technical Certificate in Animal Care, also achieved a distinction or distinction star.

Pass rates were also excellent, exceeding the national average, with 100 per cent of Level 1 and Level 3 students passing their qualifications and 96 per cent of Level 2 students achieving theirs.

Education Manager, Nicola Anslow, said: “The Education Team are overjoyed with the results our learners have achieved in their courses this summer. We are extremely proud of them, and these results are testament to their hard work and determination, supported by our Education Team and the staff from Kidderminster College.

“It has been wonderful to have a full year back in the classroom teaching face-to-face and improving students' practical skills ready for their eventual transition into the animal care workplace. We are excited for the new academic year and welcomed learners last week, both new and progressing, at our Safari Academy. We have many fantastic plans in place for enriching the learning experience of our students and look forward to another successful academic year.”

All students at the Safari Park have the opportunity of progressing into higher animal care qualifications either on one of the Park’s higher-level courses or at Kidderminster College, each year.

For the first time this year, the Park has welcomed four Level 3 Animal Management students into their Wildlife Internship programme.