Every year Animal Aid’s team of school speakers deliver hundreds of school talks, educating young people about animal rights and inspiring the next generation to create a better world for animals.
Speakers can talk to primary children or secondary students, or both. Some speakers give talks, others cookery demonstrations, but many do both.
Would you like to join them?
Please read the FAQs below before you apply to become a school speaker – we look forward to hearing from you!
School speaker FAQs
- be at least 18 years old
- agree with Animal Aid’s objectives and follow a vegan lifestyle
- have a good knowledge of animal rights issues
- have excellent face-to-face and email communication skills
- be flexible and able to think on your feet
- be happy to communicate the importance of following medical advice from a doctor (speakers must never give medical advice of their own)
- have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate (which we will arrange).
- a chance to advocate for animals and inspire meaningful change in young people
- free in-person training workshops for primary and secondary talks and cookery demonstrations
- all your costs, including transport to talks and training workshops
- as much ongoing support as you need
- engaging resources, including short films and interactive activities
- access to a supportive school speaker network via a WhatsApp and Facebook group.
The number of talks a speaker is asked to give depends on how many requests we receive in their area. The number of talks a speaker agrees to is entirely up to them.
School speakers give presentations and lead discussions on topics such as general animal rights, veganism, animal farming and animal experiments. They may also show a film and run a group activity.
Talks are usually delivered in the classroom, but occasionally speakers also give talks remotely.
Speakers deal with the issues raised in a sensitive way and encourage students to articulate their own views and ask questions.
School visits generally last an hour and are given to class-size groups, although we are sometimes asked to give talks to larger groups.
You don’t have to do remote presentations or give talks to larger groups.
We run primary sessions on animal welfare and pets to pupils in Year 1 to Year 6. Sessions are usually around 45–60 minutes with class-size groups.
Our primary resources are designed to help children recognise the capacities of non-human animals. We talk about some of the ways we can show kindness to animals.
Speakers can use puppets, a short film, discussions, games and interactive activities.
A session typically involves looking at the needs of companion animals and discussing how to look after pets. Speakers talk about why it’s better to adopt a rescued animal than buying one from a breeder. We also consider the needs of wild animals and discuss how we can help to protect them.
These sessions, which typically last around an hour, involve demonstrating how to cook a simple vegan dish such as spaghetti Bolognese and offering a sample to students. Speakers talk about the foods that vegans eat to obtain a healthy balanced diet. They also use fun activities such as food quizzes or mystery food games.
These sessions typically last 1–2 hours. During these sessions students can:
- watch a vegan dish such as a vegan chilli being cooked
- try the food or cook the dish themselves using ingredients supplied by us
- listen to a short talk
- take part in an activity
- watch a short film
- ask questions
- discuss issues raised
1) Read through the ‘common questions’ listed here.
2) Complete the online application form.
3) Pass the preliminary phone interview.
4) Attend and pass the relevant training workshops (primary, secondary and/or cookery).
No. You can attend one, two or all three types.
We run three types of workshop to prepare speakers for secondary, primary and cookery sessions. These usually take place on a Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
At the workshops, you will learn how to approach each session to make effective use of your time in the classroom. We demonstrate how to use some of our resources and offer guidance on how to discuss these issues with young people.
Depending on the type of workshop, you will be asked to give a short (2-minute) talk, give a short practice cookery demonstration with a partner, or demonstrate a primary-age activity to the group.
Delegates are assessed during the workshop and told whether they have passed a few days after the workshop.
Following a preliminary phone interview, speakers are sent the dates and locations of upcoming workshops.
Attendance is free but there is a booking deposit of £15, which is refundable after the workshop. We can cover the cost of your travel to attend a workshop.
The number of talks a speaker is asked to give depends on how many requests we receive in their area. The number of talks a speaker agrees to do is entirely up to them.
The Animal Aid Education Department contacts schools regularly (usually once a term), offering talks on a range of subjects. Together with Animal Aid, school speakers can also organise their own mailings to schools in their local area.
All Animal Aid speakers are required to have an enhanced DBS check. If you don’t already have one, Animal Aid will get one for you once you have qualified as a speaker.
If you have any other queries, please contact Natasha.
