From Bede's Student to Zoo Manager: An insight into our very own Alex Saunders.

In an inspiring journey that exemplifies passion and dedication, we interview Bede's alumna Alex Saunders who has transitioned from a curious student to the accomplished Zoo Manager here at Bede’s. Her story is a testament to the profound impact of early exposure to nature and the unwavering support of a nurturing educational environment. From her initial fascination with Bede's unique zoo collection to forging strong bonds with teachers and friends, Alex's path highlights how formative experiences can shape a fulfilling career.

What are some of your fondest memories from your time as a student at Bede's? Were there any specific teachers, lessons, or extracurricular activities that particularly stood out to you? 

Before Bede’s, I was previously at a state school which did not run any sort of extracurricular activities, so being given the opportunity to get stuck in changed my outlook on school life. I was always in either the art block or the AMU, as myself and a lot of my friends enjoyed the creative side of learning rather than solely academic. I remember my two favourite teachers being Mr Juniper and Mr Jones, who both taught me Animal Management in sixth form and who I now work with!

Did you ever imagine, during your time as a student, that you would one day return to Bede's in a professional capacity, especially managing the Zoo? What were your aspirations back then? 

The first summer after I finished sixth form I actually worked in the school shop, alongside one of my classmates and my mum, this is when I actually got the chance to experience the Bede’s community in a professional setting. I only worked there over the summer to help me save up for Uni, but I knew then Bede’s would be a lovely place to have a career. 

How do you feel your education at Bede's, particularly any science or outdoor learning experiences, might have initially sparked your interest in animals or conservation? 

The main reason I was drawn to Bede’s was the Zoo. Although much smaller than it is now, I couldn’t believe a school had a collection like it. I remember on my first tour of the school, the Zoo keeper at the time handed me a Tenrec, which my parents quickly snapped a picture of me with. We still have that picture, and you can tell by my face that Bede’s was definitely the place for me. I also had an amazing friendship group during my whole time at school, where we all supported each other in other activities such as DofE. I’ve always been an outdoorsy person, doing beavers/cubs when I was younger, so having a group of friends to do experiences with like DofE was great fun.

Were there any challenges you faced as a student, and how did Bede's help you overcome them? 

I struggled a lot socially at my previous school, which is why I moved to Bede’s in year 10 for a new start. I found being placed in a house (Charleston) helped me bond with other girls quickly. I soon felt like we were all family and although I had friends in other houses, I knew I could rely on certain people for anything, which gave me a sense of belonging (which I didn’t have before).

What advice would you give to current Bede's students who are passionate about animals or considering a career in conservation? 

Definitely look into the Animal Management course in sixth form, or even choosing the Zoo activity. I learnt so much from being more hands-on when I helped out at the Zoo and formed great bonds with the staff at the time, which ultimately led me to understand more about how Zoos work and why conservation is so important. I was also lucky enough to go on some overseas school trips, including the South Africa trip in which we volunteered at a Rhino Sanctuary and Big Cat Sanctuary. This trip was the real push of determination I had to work with animals/conservation in the future, so throwing yourself into any trips that you are able to go on I would definitely recommend. 

After leaving Bede's, what path did you take in your education and career? What did you study, and where? 

When I first left Bede’s I went on to study Marine and Natural History Photography at Falmouth Uni. I didn't initially have a plan to go to university, as I wanted to travel and experience more of the world. However, when I saw my best friend excited as she got into Falmouth Uni herself, I thought I would go through clearing myself and found the closest course to what I wanted to do. I really enjoyed the social aspect of Uni and living in Cornwall, but during the second year I realised the course just isn’t what I wanted to do. I wanted to be more hands on with animals, so I left to move back home. I then got a small job in Brighton, which was drawing people’s pets and framing them (again, I was still mixing my artistic side and animal side together). I knew I wanted to jump back into education to progress further, so I went back to Uni in Plumpton to study Animal Behaviour and Conservation. Nearing the end of my course is when I got a part time job in Bede’s Zoo, which was two days a week, just to help me out financially. Once I finished my Plumpton course, I progressed to full time in the Zoo, where Bede’s put me on a new two year course (DMZAA). 

Could you describe some of the roles or experiences you had before returning to Bede's that prepared you for your current position as Zoo Manager? 

I worked on a farm for many years when I was younger, starting at 13/14 years old. I think starting to work with animals at such a young age gave me a real sense of responsibility when it came to animal welfare. I have been learning how to care for animals ever since. 

What was it like to return to Bede's not as a student, but as a staff member, and specifically as the Zoo Manager? Did anything surprise you? 

Not only have I worked in the school shop, but I also worked as an invigilator, so I knew the community beforehand. Jumping into the manager role has pushed me to reach out to other departments and really form bonds with all staff members across the site. As we work so closely with the grounds and estate teams, it’s surprising to see how hard they work to get the whole site looking excellent as you don’t see behind the scenes as a student.

What are your primary responsibilities and goals as the Zoo Manager at Bede's? What does a typical day look like for you? 

Primarily we are focussed on animal welfare for all our animals, so cleaning, feeding, enrichment and training plans etc. But I also work alongside the students a lot day to day, especially the Animal Management students. Seeing students go on to study similar subjects or even just seeing them enjoying the activity you are leading is just as rewarding as caring for our animals. 

How do you envision the Bede's Zoo contributing to the education and development of current students?

The Zoo not only runs the Animal Management course, but activity sessions 4 times a week where all students can come and learn. We have a huge variety of animals, so students AND staff have the resources to gain knowledge of all different species.

Are there any particular projects or initiatives you're excited about implementing or continuing within the Zoo? 

We are part of some exciting programmes in the Zoo, including breeding Hazel Dormouse for release into the wild and endocrinology research focussing on Madagascan carnivores. I hope we continue to contribute to important research and breeding programmes in the future, which influences our students to involve themselves in conservation.

What are the unique challenges and rewards of managing a Zoo within a school environment compared to a larger, public Zoo? 

Forming those bonds with the students that you see everyday is definitely rewarding, compared to a public Zoo where you have different visitors. Watching their growth of knowledge in a subject I’m so passionate about, reminds me why I wake up excited for work. 

If you could send a message back to your student self at Bede's, knowing where you are now, what would it be? 

Don't worry too much. I remember myself and my friends talking about the future and worrying that we won’t achieve what we wanted to. But when I left my first University course I thought I would struggle finding myself again afterwards, but things always work out and I couldn’t be more proud of myself for where I am now.

Alex's journey from Bede's student to Zoo Manager is a powerful narrative of ambition realised and challenges overcome. Her story underscores the invaluable role that dedicated teachers, unique facilities like the Bede's Zoo, and a supportive community play in shaping future leaders in conservation. Alex's continued commitment to inspiring the next generation of animal enthusiasts ensures that the Bede's Zoo remains not just an impressive collection of species, but a vibrant classroom for hands-on learning and a catalyst for conservation efforts.