Great Bardfield Primary School has its very own school dogs. ‘Merlin’ is a Flat-coated Retriever and lives with Mrs Whittaker, our Garwood Class teacher, and ‘Bertie’ is a Golden Retriever who lives with Mrs Dodkins, our Ravilious Class teacher. Both dogs are extremely well trained and have the perfect temperament to be around children.

The benefits of having a school dog can include:

• reading to a dog can be beneficial for reluctant readers (there is less pressure and less perceived judgement when reading to a dog)
• helping children develop their emotional literacy
• encouraging children who are typically more withdrawn, to engage with and participate in school life
• helping children to regulate their own behaviour
• improving self-esteem for children
• helping children develop empathy, encourage them to act respectfully and improve relationships between children
• teaching children about responsibility and caring for animals.