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Here at Whitgift, it is my job to manage the room of small exotics, with inhabitants such as a royal python, bearded dragon, leopard geckos and axolotls to name a few. I split my time between caring for the 17 plus occupants of the animal room and preparing all the biology practicals students do in science lessons. 

I have worked continuously with animals for the past fourteen years in a variety of both paid and voluntary settings: dog grooming, at Sealife Brighton and several veterinary practices. After graduating from the University of Sussex with my degree in Biology, I moved initially into an animal hospital before eventually settling into my role as animal and biology technician here at Whitgift School. I feel lucky to be able to combine my two great passions in what is a unique, rewarding job.

My inquisitive, restlessly determined nature is something I have always been known for and is, I believe, responsible for the base of my fascination with animals, the environment, and all things science. Enthralled by biology and my impatience to understand how things work, I have always needed a career suited to my incessant question asking and so since childhood have known that a role in the scientific field was definitely for me.

I’m really looking forward to meeting the visiting International Summer School students at Whitgift in July and August this year. The Animal Care Academy will follow what we do here at Whitgift during the academic year, so students will have a real Whitgift animal experience! Every lunchtime I host my animal prefects who help me care for the animal room and its contents. The prefects experience all sides of animal work and I enjoy teaching them the importance of enrichment, taming and health and behaviour monitoring in addition to basic husbandry (how to care for animals). One of the highlights of my role is guiding the prospective veterinary students here at Whitgift and giving them the essential hands-on experience they need to get into veterinary school. Weekly, I also run an animal club with games, quizzes, snake feeds and dragon baths; no two weeks are the same!

I always welcome an opportunity to show others the rewarding world of animal work and I enjoy using my animals to teach about adaptations, evolution and the importance of every species’ role in its respective natural ecosystem. Gratefully, the environment and its occupants are currently very topical, and I hope that by highlighting the benefits and beauty of the natural world I can encourage others to be as fascinated as I am. I look forward to running the animal academy sessions in the summer and am keen to surprise and captivate all who attend.