Animal Care Instructor

Acorn Care and Education; King's Bromley; On-site; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education provider located in King's Bromley is seeking an Animal Care Instructor to foster a love for animals in young learners. The role includes delivering dynamic lessons and providing support to ensure pupil wellbeing and engagement. Candidates should be passionate, patient, and ready to inspire. You will join a collaborative environment that nurtures creativity and enthusiasm while working within a 4-Day Working Week model.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Flexible Benefits Platform

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering practical and theory-based lessons.
• Strong interpersonal skills for inspiring pupils.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and deliver Animal Care lessons.
• Support pupils’ behaviour and wellbeing.
• Develop and enhance Animal Care provision.

Skills

Passionate about animals and education

Calm, patient, and compassionate

Flexible and adaptable

Creative and enthusiastic

Job description

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first.

That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Job Title

Animal Care Instructor

Location

Trent Acres, Kings Bromley, DE13 7HR

Hours

40 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8:00am – 4:00pm

Salary

£27,693.75 per annum (not pro rata)

Contract

Permanent | Term Time Only

Start

February 2026

UK applicants only

​UK applicants only — this role does not offer sponsorship

About the Role

Are you passionate about animals, education, and making a real difference? At Trent Acres, part of Options Autism, we’re looking for an inspiring Animal Care Instructor to join our close-knit, dedicated team.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Plan, prepare, and deliver practical and theory-based Animal Care lessons.
• Inspire pupils through active learning and hands‑on experiences.
• Provide personal support to help pupils achieve their academic and emotional potential.
• Support pupils’ behaviour and wellbeing in line with the school ethos.
• Contribute to a personalised, holistic curriculum that meets the individual needs of each pupil.
• Assist across the school, including off‑site activities when not instructing lessons.
• Develop and enhance the Animal Care provision, helping make learning engaging, purposeful, and fun.

Who We’re Looking For

• Passionate about animals and education, with the ability to inspire young learners.
• Calm, patient, and compassionate, with strong interpersonal skills.
• Flexible and adaptable, ready to support pupils in a variety of learning and school settings.
• Creative and enthusiastic in delivering practical and theory-based lessons.
• Committed to the school’s nurturing ethos and dedicated to helping every pupil succeed.

About the School

Options Trent Acres School is currently undergoing development and increasing its pupils numbers transitioning from 30 pupils to 60 pupils recently and with approval to open an Early Years Unit and extend our Primary provision. Due to this exciting time for the School the job roles currently advertised are all new as part of this development.

The school is purpose built, modern and welcoming with a range of specialist learning areas including an indoor and outdoor riding school and outdoor gymnasium. Children also have the opportunity to work with our horses, donkeys, goats, alpaca and chickens. Learning outside of the classroom is a fundamental part of life at Trent Acres. We have a dedicated staff team who are focused on the delivery of high quality, child‑centred, bespoke packages of care and education.

Our service is in within easy reach of Stoke, Derby, Telford, Stafford, Lichfield, Burntwood, Rugeley, Burton‑on‑Trent, Tamworth, Uttoxeter and surrounding towns.

For over 19 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why join Options Autism?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people.

All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first‑class mental health support services and physical health checks
• And a market‑leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
  
  • A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
  • 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
  • Cycle to Work Schemes
  • Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
• We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
• *You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit.