Meet the Team – Hayley Smith (Curriculum Administrator)

Four Paws Groom School Cheshire’s friendly curriculum administrator Hayley Smith worked in a pre-school for eight years before taking the plunge and following her dream of becoming a dog groomer.

Here Hayley explains why this career change helps her relate to students, and why she loves the iPET Network qualifications…

“I have been at Four Paws for four years, and moved to the Leftwich branch in May last year. Here we deliver canine first aid, dog walking & pet sitting, and Groom Your Own Dog courses, as well as the Level 3 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Dog Grooming qualifications.

“The iPET Network qualifications are unlike any other, the qualifications ensure that students get the hands-on practical experience needed. It is important that we meet the guided learning hours of each qualification within the school environment, this is vital for these types of qualifications to ensure the students get the best and most practical experience, in addition there are more theory units that help embed the student’s knowledge.

“This is because the courses were written by people working in the industry, they know exactly what’s what, unlike other larger Awarding Organisations.”

“When I teach my students I think they get a different perspective because I have also changed my career and been a student. I have been in the same position and it puts them at ease. The students have said I am easy to talk to which is great, and in my teaching I always try to put a funny spin on things ‘don’t worry fur grows back!’

“Working with iPET Network is an experience like no other, just recently I went to Crufts with Sarah and Fern and we all stayed together in a caravan! Who in another company would be able to say that they had stayed in a caravan with their directors?! It was really fun.

“They are also so supportive and helpful and push you in a positive way to better yourself. Fern loves a good qualification and is always studying herself too, career development is not just for the employees. Seeing them work so hard pushes us all to want to work hard too, it’s a wonderful environment.”