Success story
02/11/2026
Building learner confidence with ASDAN Short Courses on Equitas
Animal Teach uses hands-on animal care to help learners from a wide range of backgrounds re-engage with learning.
“What they have in common is that mainstream education hasn’t always worked for them,” explains Director Naomi Ennis. “So everything we do is about meeting them where they’re at and building them up from there.”
Naomi’s priority is creating accessible experiences. These build confidence, develop skills and help learners recognise their potential. ASDAN's Animal Care Short Course provides a natural framework, turning everyday experiences with animals into learning.
“When you see a young person start to believe in themselves, that’s what it’s all about,” Naomi says. “And ASDAN plays a big part in making that happen.”
Flexible courses that meet learners’ needs
ASDAN Short Courses are now central to Animal Teach’s offer. They support both personal development and practical learning.
“The flexibility is what makes ASDAN work so well for us,” says Naomi. “We’re not trying to fit our learners into a rigid framework. Instead, we can shape the courses around their interests, their needs and the environment we’re working in.”
“Our learners thrive when they can see the purpose in what they’re doing,” Naomi explains. “With ASDAN, we can link everything back to real skills: teamwork, communication, problem-solving. And they start to recognise their own progress.”
Building confidence through practical achievement
“A lot of our young people come to us with very low confidence,” Naomi says. “They don’t always see themselves as capable learners. But ASDAN breaks things down in a way that feels achievable.”
“When they complete a unit or achieve something, it really means something to them. It’s not just a tick-box exercise. They can see what they’ve done and feel proud of it.”
“We’ve seen learners who wouldn’t normally participate start to get involved, contribute ideas and take ownership of their work,” Naomi adds. “That’s a huge shift.”
Developing transferable skills through reflection
Animal Teach encourages learners to develop responsibility and consider the needs of others. Working alongside peers helps them practise interpersonal skills.
All ASDAN courses follow a plan, do, review cycle. Learners plan activities, carry them out and reflect on their progress.
“They’ll be working with the animals, managing tasks, supporting each other. When we reflect on it, they start to see just how much they’ve learned,” Naomi explains. “That recognition is really powerful.”
“We’ve had learners who’ve gone from being quite withdrawn to being able to communicate more confidently and take on responsibility,” Naomi says. “That’s a massive outcome for them.”
Tracking progress with Equitas, ASDAN’s digital learning platform
Animal Teach has also been an early adopter of Equitas. The platform brings learning activities, learner evidence and progress tracking together in one secure, interactive space.
“Equitas has made such a difference to how we deliver,” Naomi says. “It’s really intuitive and easy to use, both for staff and learners.”
“They enjoy using it,” she says of the learners. “It feels more modern and relevant to them, and they can actually see their progress building over time.”
“It saves us time, it simplifies processes and it just makes everything feel more manageable,” Naomi adds. “That means we can focus more on supporting the learners rather than getting caught up in admin.”
“They really complement each other,” Naomi explains, referring to ASDAN’s courses and Equitas. “You’ve got the adaptability of the courses alongside a platform that makes delivery smooth and efficient.”
Seeing the impact every day
As Animal Teach continues to grow, ASDAN remains central to its approach.
“For us, it’s about continuing to build on what’s working,” Naomi says. “ASDAN gives us the tools to do that in a way that stays true to our ethos. It’s been such a positive experience, for our learners and for us as a team. We can see the impact every day.”
Find the right courses for your learners
Interested in bringing practical, engaging learning into your setting? Explore our Short Courses to see the full range and book a curriculum consultation to speak with an ASDAN expert.