From providing comfort and teaching valuable lessons about empathy and care for the world around to supporting shy young readers, animals bring magic and happiness, also bringing learning to life. Three schools tell us more about the rich benefits they bring
Chapter House, Queen Ethelburga’s
At Chapter House Primary, part of QE in North Yorkshire, there’s no doubt about the value animal encounters add to school life and learning. But Head of Chapter House Karen Kilkenny says the arrival of reading dog Carson has been one of the most successful and popular initiatives of all time, especially with the younger children (Chapter House educates children from age 3 to 10).
“It has increased the confidence of reluctant readers having a non-judgemental audience. The children are purely reading for pleasure with no one pointing out mistakes or questioning them on the text,” she says. Carson is a terrific listener, never interrupts or looks bored and is more than happy to be read to – and the effect is profound. “We have seen their confidence increase and their reading has become more animated, with more expression – one Year 1 child’s reading age has improved by two years over one term, and they are more curious about reading different texts.”
Carson does more than listen, playing an active part in school life by encouraging a bit of throwing practice – he gives his undivided attention if you throw a ball and will come back for more. He also encourages pupils to get outdoors in all weather and enjoy a bit of exercise. Alongside his reading support, Carson helps to boost wellbeing for everyone. “Being around our calm, friendly Carson helps reduce children’s anxiety, boosts mood and gives the children chance to talk about any worries in a nurturing, inclusive environment,” adds Karen Kilkenny. She believes the friendship without judgement Carson provides brings comfort and helps children regulate their emotions. “His presence also encourages social interaction and fosters empathy and responsibility among our children.”
While Carson is the undoubted star of Chapter House, the children have plenty of other opportunities to encounter and learn from animals, with visits to Yorkshire Wildlife Centre for the younger pupils and exciting trips to see the bigger wildlife of Chester Zoo for Year 5.
Such visits reinforce classroom learning. KS1 children are learning about animals from Africa and Polar regions, as well as animals through time (including dinosaurs). Visits to see real species in their habitats builds curiosity and reinforces what they are learning about classification, food chains, diets, habitats and the differences between behaviours. As they move up the school, there is more scientific knowledge about rainforest habitats and animals, prey and predators, nutrition and the way some animals have skeletons and muscles for support, protection and movement.
Chapter House Prep School Queen Ethelburga’s qe.org/chapter-house
The Downs Malvern
At The Downs Malvern, animals play huge and lively role in school life, particularly through the school’s smallholding, where pupils are able to experience animal care, food provenance and the natural world at first hand.
“Our resident animals include pedigree Oxford Sandy and Black pigs, with numbers fluctuating depending on piglets,” says Andy Nuttall. There are also around 40 Japanese quail, plus guinea fowl, ducks, chickens – including Cream Legbars and Cuckoo Marans. “And Ayam Cemani chickens from Indonesia,” adds Andy Nuttall who, it’s worth noting, studied Zoology at Imperial College. “We also have three beehives on site. In addition, sheep graze in our orchard, giving pupils the opportunity to learn from a local farmer, although the sheep are not part of the school’s own animal collection.”
This wonderful collection brings multiple learning opportunities. Pupils interact with the animals through regular farming activities, including Pre-Prep sessions on Fridays and Prep School farming activities as part of the school’s extensive Saturday Hobbies programme. There’s also the value of just having animals around. “Children from Nursery to Year 5 also pass the animals on their way to Forest School, making these encounters a familiar and joyful part of everyday school life.”
While all the animals are of interest, pupils are enchanted by young animals – from the tiny quail chicks and ducklings to new piglets. “Different children naturally gravitate towards different aspects of animal husbandry. Some love the direct contact, whether that is gently cradling a quail or rubbing a pig’s tummy, while others are drawn to the practical side, such as building shelters and improving animal environments,” adds Andy Nuttall.
The team at The Downs Malvern find that its animals prompt wider conversations around empathy, responsibility and looking beyond ourselves. And caring for other living creatures helps pupils understand that animals have needs, routines and sensitivities, which encourages patience, kindness and responsibility.
Andy Nuttall can see big educational benefits. Pupils gain first-hand knowledge of life cycles and the features of different vertebrate groups, while also developing an understanding of food provenance and hygiene. They grow supplementary food for the animals, learning more about plant life cycles and the importance of ensuring a balanced diet. “These encounters also open up broader conversations about seasonality, sustainability and food miles, particularly when discussing the value of locally produced meat and vegetables.”
Across the school, there is huge excitement when the smallholding welcomes a new arrival large or small. The children are also very interested in the life of the school beehives, leading an assembly on the pollinators’ vital role in our world. They recently enjoyed marking World Bee Day with a honey-tasting experience and honey-themed cuisine.”
The Downs Malvern thedownsmalvern.org.uk
Francis Holland Prep School
At Francis Holland Prep, school life is made joyful by Kanga, a Hungarian Vizsla Therapy Dog, who belongs to the school’s Lead Counsellor and has been a resident for six years – ever since she was a puppy. Kanga is a key member of ContemPlace, the FHP counselling service, and works alongside five specialist human therapists.
Pupils have the opportunity to drop in and visit Kanga whenever she is at the Prep – her time is split between Francis Holland Prep and the Senior School in Sloane Square. She comes into her own at the start of the academic year, especially for any young pupils finding it hard to settle, and she’s also a huge support to Year 6 girls who are anxious about the 11+. Often being with her for a few minutes is enough, say the team, and many friendships have been made between girls gathered in the Wellbeing Suite for quality time with Kanga.
Children have lots of other opportunities to encounter the animal kingdom. Reception and KS1 pupils enjoy incubating, hatching and rearing a number of chicks at school each year as part of their work on life cycles. There have been similar projects with butterflies, which pupils loved. There are regular trips, including the annual Reception trip to Bocketts Farm – a firm Summer Term favourite – where children meet chickens, rabbits, horses, goats, cows and even ‘racing pigs’.
The bespoke Francis Holland Foresters programme is tailored for every year group and combines nature identification with shelter building activities, connecting children with both animals and bugs. Girls learn about the importance of mini beasts within an ecosystem. Their creative skills are seen in bug hotels equipped with lifts, swimming pools and even bowling alleys. They also learn ‘detective skills’ over the course of the school year scouting for different tracks left by bigger beasts – including foxes and badgers.
All this fun outdoor learning also embeds knowledge, and FHP immerses pupils in hands-on science and geography from the outset. In the Early Years, pupils explore through play, and their natural capacity for experimentation lays foundations for deeper scientific thinking. As they move through the school, the curriculum becomes increasingly specialised, introducing key concepts in biology, chemistry and physics.
There are enrichment sessions for every year group involving animals to help bring these subjects to life. For example, Zoo Labs recently visited, bringing an array of fascinating creatures to support pupils’ learning about adaptation. From desert lizards that detach their tails to escape predators to giant snails with retractable eyes, the girls were captivated by the unique survival and adaptation strategies animals employ in the wild.
Zoo Labs gave pupils the opportunity to get up close and handle some of the animals. The girls held the white snake, felt the texture of the giant snails and observed the intricate details of the tarantula. This hands-on experience not only deepened their understanding of science and nature but also helped many overcome initial fears of ‘creepy crawlies’, fostering curiosity and appreciation for the beauty of wild creatures.
Another aspect of animals up close, and a highlight of the school year, the Francis Holland Prep Charity Dog Show is all about fun and community spirit – raising funds for a chosen charity. This year, just under £2,000 was raised for School in a Bag. The competition is hotly contested by parents and pupils across five categories – Obedience, Loveliest Lady, Most Fabulous Fella, Puppy Love, Best Dressed. It offers pupils the opportunity to showcase their animal whisperer techniques, alongside creative and fashion skills and communication with the animals that bring magic to their life.
Francis Holland Prep School francishollandprep.org.uk
Further reading: The amazing power of subtitles to boost literacy
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