Author Archives: Alison German

matrix Logo

CAW Celebrates matrix Re-accreditation!

We are thrilled to announce that The College of Animal Welfare has successfully achieved matrix re-accreditation following a comprehensive inspection carried out between the 15-18 April 2024. This achievement underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional information, advice and guidance (IAG) to our students, employers and those looking to study with us.

The matrix Standard is a prestigious benchmark for organisations to assess and measure their IAG services. Achieving this re-accreditation is a testament to the high standards we strive to uphold; ensuring that our services are accessible, effectively managed, and of the highest quality.

During the inspection, the inspector noted that staff at the College are well qualified for the role they deliver and that they are passionate about supporting students in a manner that is tailored to their individual needs. Our commitment to providing high quality and effective student focussed IAG was demonstrated by the senior leadership team and down through the organisation.

College Principal, Barbara Cooper, commented “I am thrilled to celebrate our matrix accreditation. The report highlighted several key aspects of our approach: our dedication to recognising and addressing the diverse needs of our students, our clear communication of IAG to stakeholders, and the ongoing support provided throughout our students’ educational journey. Furthermore, our students themselves have praised our comprehensive approach to welfare, safeguarding, and career-focused IAG. This recognition marks our commitment to, not only meet, but exceed the expectations of our college community.“

As we celebrate this achievement, we also look to the future by building on the strengths identified and considering the development suggestions. We thank all our staff, students, employers and partners for their hard work and commitment, and contribution during the inspection. Together, we will continue to ensure every student can achieve their full potential.

The College of Animal Welfare Celebrates Matrix Re-accreditation!

We are thrilled to announce that The College of Animal Welfare has successfully achieved matrix re-accreditation following a comprehensive inspection carried out between the 15-18 April 2024. This achievement underscores our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional information, advice and guidance (IAG) to our students, employers and those looking to study with us.

The Matrix Standard is a prestigious benchmark for organisations to assess and measure their IAG services. Achieving this re-accreditation is a testament to the high standards we strive to uphold; ensuring that our services are accessible, effectively managed, and of the highest quality.

During the inspection, the inspector noted that staff at the College are well qualified for the role they deliver and that they are passionate about supporting students in a manner that is tailored to their individual needs. Their commitment to providing high quality and effective student focussed IAG was demonstrated by the senior leadership team and down through the organisation.

Some of the key findings in the report that the College was complemented on doing well, include:

  • CAW focuses on the fact that their student population has many needs, and they are continually looking to identify how best to support them.
  • CAW provide a clear understanding of their IAG and support mechanisms to stakeholders in multiple ways prior to students joining the College. This awareness continues while students are on programme.
  • Many students described an excellent approach that CAW take to inform students about welfare, safeguarding, mental health, and all other types of support including careers focussed IAG.

Looking Forward

As we celebrate this achievement, we also look to the future. The matrix re-accreditation is not just a recognition of past and present success; it is also a promise of our ongoing and continued dedication to excellence and innovation. We will be looking to build on the strengths identified and consider the development suggestions. We thank all our staff, students, employers and partners for their hard work and commitment, and contribution during the inspection. Together, we will continue to ensure every student can achieve their full potential.

10% Discount at Just Chaps for CAW Students and Staff

We are delighted to announce an exclusive 10% discount on equestrian wear from Just Chaps, available to all CAW students and staff.

Just Chaps are a leading equestrian specialist in designing and manufacturing the widest range of top-quality half chaps, gaiters and waterproof trousers and full chaps, catering for every rider’s needs and preferences. Their products are crafted by riders, for riders, ensuring optimal performance, comfort, and style.

How to Get Your Discount?

Visit the home page of our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to find the discount code, then enter it at the checkout on the Just Chaps website to enjoy 10% off your purchase.

Are you at Badminton Horse Trials this year? Simply show your student ID badge at the Just Chaps stall to receive the discount directly on your purchases.

Student testing out a virtual reality headset

CAW launches FREE Veterinary Nursing OSCEs in Virtual Reality!

The College of Animal Welfare (CAW) is excited to announce that all CAW veterinary nursing students have now been granted a free licence to download its new virtual reality (VR) software onto a VR headset to help with their OSCE preparation. This initiative is part of its ongoing commitment to provide innovative and forward-thinking ways to support students in their learning.

The new technology has been trialled at the College by selected groups of students over the past year and is now being rolled out to all diploma and undergraduate students,

Final year BSc Veterinary Nursing student, Heather Bruce, is one of the students who has experienced the software, ‘The VR headsets have been a great addition to my revision for my final year exams. They have allowed me to practice OSCE tasks at any time from the comfort of my own home. The headsets are simple and easy to use, giving me confidence that I am still able to revise my practical skills, even if I am not in practice.’

A team of developers have meticulously designed the software to simulate various OSCE scenarios covering both small animal and equine tasks used in OSCE examinations. This provides students with an opportunity to practice and hone their clinical skills in a risk-free, immersive environment. The software not only teaches students the steps required to successfully pass each task, it also provides students with the ability to undertake mock tests and see how they perform, highlighting to them any steps they may have missed, to help with future learning.

Whilst it is not a mandatory part of the course, the licence will allow CAW students to access it free of charge for the duration of their programme should they have a VR headset and wish to utilise it.

Leslie Heaton-Smith, Vice-Principal of The College of Animal Welfare commented, ‘For someone like me who does not game the whole VR experience is an absolutely incredible experience!’ He added that ‘Interest has been high in licensing the system especially from overseas academic institutions and we have already started selling licenses.’ 

The College is proud to be leading the way in integrating virtual reality into veterinary nurse education and is looking forward to seeing the outcomes for its students of this exciting advancement.

Want to train as a veterinary nurse? Check out our website for more details.

First Aid for Dog Owners Morning Courses May 2024

Would you know what to do in a first aid situation? Being able to react swiftly and appropriately if your dog becomes injured or unwell can really mean the difference between life and death.

Sponsored by Millpledge, these practical morning sessions are designed specifically for responsible dog owners who want to be confident in what to do should a first aid situation arise.

The two events will take places as follows:

You should leave the course knowing how to help prevent accidents and how to respond effectively to emergencies. You’ll learn how to handle situations such as heatstroke, choking, and poisoning, and even perform CPR in critical times.

Course highlights:

  • Basic health checks to assess your dog’s wellbeing
  • Immediate actions for heatstroke and sun safety
  • Techniques to manage choking incidents
  • Identifying and responding to poisoning
  • How to deal with unconsciousness and fits
  • Step-by-step guide to canine CPR
  • Managing wounds and injuries effectively

Both courses run from 10am – 12.30pm (please arrive from 9.30 for a prompt start) and cost £15 per person.

Book a place online by following the links below:

If you are a client of The College of Animal Welfare’s dog grooming salons, you can get a £5 discount – please contact us for the code before booking.

Remote invigilation – Guidance for CAW students undertaking VetSkill exams

If you are undertaking a VetSkill examination as part of your course, you may be offered the opportunity to undertake it remotely using Proctorio™, a remote examination invigilation system used by VetSkill.

Continue reading →

Introducing our new Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)!

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the newly enhanced VLE, cawpers.com. This latest update is not just an upgrade; it’s a complete overhaul aimed at providing an unparalleled learning experience.

Continue reading →

New Apprenticeship and Employer Engagement Manager at CAW

We are delighted to have recently appointed Lyn Chant as Apprenticeship and Employer Engagement Manager. This is a newly created role that will provide employers with a new point of contact for any questions, concerns or feedback. Lyn first joined the veterinary profession in 1992 and since then has worked in various roles both within practice, and in education, including head nurse, assessor and IQA; most recently working as a regional director for a large corporate practice group.

Continue reading →

Equine apprenticeship student, Sophie Baudot, achieves the best results seen in her EPA

Congratulations to The College of Animal Welfare equine apprenticeship student, Sophie Baudot, for gaining a distinction in her End Point Assessment (EPA), picking up the highest mark ever seen by the EPA organisation in the process. 

Continue reading →

From Gaming to Guinea Pigs – Josh’s Story

Continuing on from last week’s Neurodiversity Week, we caught up with animal care apprentice, Josh Nicholls, to ask him about his experience of studying with The College of Animal Welfare…

My name is Josh, I am an animal care apprentice at Chatsworth House and I have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I really struggled at school as I couldn’t sit for long periods of time, but I wasn’t allowed to move around. I was excluded from school in year 8.  For a few years, I did some volunteering on a farm and went to some lessons, but I really struggled, and my confidence and mental health was very low.  I spent a lot of my time gaming, and not really leaving the house other than to go to football.

Continue reading →