Animal Care Instructor in Lichfield

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 — this role does not offer sponsorship.

About The Role

In this role, you’ll plan, deliver, and lead both practical and theory-based Animal Care lessons, helping pupils build skills, confidence, and independence in a nurturing, personalised environment. No two days are the same! From classroom theory to hands-on care with our animals, and even supporting offsite activities, your work will directly shape learning experiences and help pupils reach their potential — academically, emotionally, and socially.

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 offsite 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 from 30 to 60, with approval to open an Early Years Unit and extend our Primary provision. The school is purpose-built, modern and welcoming with 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, alpacas, and chickens. Learning outside of the classroom is a fundamental part of life at Trent Acres. For over 19 years, Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. 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. 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 at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day knowing that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people, and all applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

• 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
• 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. Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.