Categories of activities - Animals in Schools

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Category*	Risk to animals	Educational justification	Conditions which apply to students	Conditions which apply to the teacher or demonstrator**
1	Very low impact Discreet observation only No contact with animal(s) No disturbance to animal(s)	Provides positive experiences involving animals	Any student may carry out these activities	Teacher discretion Skills and knowledge appropriate to the activity
2	Low impact Routine husbandry or animal care procedures No invasive techniques used Some disturbance to animal	Students are following a course or program in the school curriculum	Background and level of maturity taken into account and suitable instructions given before activity	Skills and knowledge appropriate to the activity
3	Moderate impact Husbandry or animal care procedures requiring skill Limited invasive techniques Animal usually restrained Techniques may cause some stress to animal	Justified by a BOSTES syllabus or Curriculum framework	Students are given appropriate instructions and training	Skills, knowledge and training appropriate to the activityAWLO needs to approve
4	High impact Invasive techniques Techniques may cause some pain and distress to animal	Justified by a BOSTES syllabus or Curriculum framework Activity appropriate to meet syllabus outcome or competency	Students are given specialised instructions and training leading to competency May be undertaken by students only if written approval from SACEC is obtained	Specialised training or expert competency
5	Highly specialised techniques Techniques have a high risk of causing pain and distress to animal	Justified by a BOSTES syllabus or Curriculum framework Activity appropriate to meet syllabus outcome or competency	Students are given specialised instructions and training leading to competency May be undertaken by students only if written approval from SACEC is obtained	Accreditation by recognised authority or demonstrated equivalent competency Teacher must gain written certification from the SACEC every 3 years in order to demonstrate activities in this category

*The greater the potential impact on the animal, the greater the educational justification and expertise required of teachers, farm assistants and students.

**If a category 5 activity is to be demonstrated by a registered veterinarian or accredited technician then SACEC approval is not required.