One of the most important members of our school team is Maggie, our school dog. She is owned by our headteacher, and comes into school a few days each week. Maggie is a female cavapoo which is a modest sized dog breed - a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (a dog bred for companionship) and a miniature poodle (an intelligent, sociable breed).

Her 'base' is Mr Woolley’s office, where she sleeps and rests (as dogs do) but also children can come and show her some amazing learning they have made. Mr Woolley also takes her outside at playtimes where children can come up and give her a stroke - she is always happy to receive some attention. We teach the children how to greet her which involves crouching down and presenting a hand. This means children invite her rather than encourage her to rush up to them. Therefore nobody worries about her suddenly appearing or jumping up, they can choose if they want to interact. Sometimes, Maggie also visits classes, perhaps to feature in a lesson about animals or just as a support.

Part of Our Rewards System

Maggie is an essential part of our rewards system too. In our Friday Celebration Worships we reward the children for a variety of achievements but the most highly regarded award (by the children) is the 'Maggie Award'. This is presented to children who have demonstrated an aspect of our vision and values during the week. Maggie comes into the hall and 'presents' the certificate to the children, also giving them a 'high five'. Later in the day they earn some Maggie time where they give her a treat and take her outside to play ball. Maggie also really enjoys this!

What are the benefits of a school dog?

Having a dog in school is hugely motivational and fun for children. She inspires communication and talk from those reluctant to do so and offer a calm, reassuring presence for children feeling emotional stress for any reason. A simple task such as changing the dog’s water bowl can help a reluctant child engage with school or cope with an emotional situation. For those children in emotional stress with difficult circumstances, the non-judgemental reassurance of an animal also provides some comfort and outlet for the child’s feelings in a way adults cannot facilitate.

What safeguards have been taken?

Mr Woolley, as the owner, will lead any interactions. He has separate public liability insurance for Maggie being in school which has been checked to be in place by all governors. Prior to being in school, a process of training and acclimatisation was completed. Initially, Maggie was assessed by Sophie Calder, an accredited IMDT dog trainer. Her initial assessment in March 2022 observed that:

“Maggie is a relaxed, happy, gentle dog that would be ideally suited to the school environment … Maggie errs on the side of caution when she meets a new person. Rather than running up to them, she would observe and approach slowly, ideal when small children are involved… she does not appear to be an over excitable bouncy dog.”

A risk assessment is in place for what Maggie does in school and also to ensure she is healthy and happy:

What if my child is worried or scared by dogs?

Maggie is not able to free-roam around school. Her safe space, Mr Woolley’s office has a child-gate fitted and the door between the office area and the rest of the school closes. When moving around school, Maggie is highly attentive and sticks close to the adult and also a harness with a lead is used. Therefore, if a child does not want to interact with Maggie, they do not have to and will never be made to.

One of the benefits of having a school dog is to teach all children how to understand dog behaviour and recognise how a dog is feeling. Many people wrongly approach strange dogs and stroke them which always stresses the dog. Helping those children who are fearful of dogs to understand this helps them understand their feelings and not just live in fear.

Maggie is well trained, calm and very endearing. Most children (and adults) melt when they meet her so she helps children become more confident. It is key that she behaves in a calm manner, without jumping up or lunging. If her behaviours were to change, she would not continue to come into school.

Are other dogs allowed on site?

No. Specific plans and risk assessments apply to Maggie but this does not change the more general no-dog policy. No other dogs should ever be brought onto site, which includes those carried in arms, except for assistance dogs which would need to be agreed beforehand with the headteacher.

What if my child has an allergy?

Maggie is part poodle which means she does not shed her fur easily. Of course no dog can ever be truly hypoallergenic so there would be a risk. However, this risk would be no greater than that posed by the hairs on clothing from the many children who have dogs at home. Should we have a child with particular allergies, specific plans and risk assessments would be drawn up to minimise risks.

Sophie Calder will also be involved as part of Maggie’s work and will also hopefully lead some assemblies with the school to teach them about dog behaviour. If you would like to know more about her work, follow this link to her website: