CUTNALL GREEN Primary School in Droitwich has been labelled the most dog-savvy school in Worcestershire by a county charity.
The pupils have been having lessons in how to be responsible dog owners every half term this year from the Evesham-based Dogs Trust.
The charity’s education and community officer Charlotte Paddock has visited the school 12 times since the start of the year, delivering a series of lessons and workshops to 120 pupils across Key Stages 1 and 2.
Linking into the National Curriculum, the sessions have totalled more 40 hours of learning about how to be safe around dogs, what it takes to give dogs a healthy life, being a responsible dog owner and hearing all about a day in the life of a Dogs Trust dog.
Charlotte said: “I go into schools every day to teach children all about dog safety and responsible dog ownership, but Cutnall Green Primary is definitely the school I’ve visited the most!
“It’s been a great year and it’s wonderful to see them all enjoy themselves so much.
“Teaching children how to behave around dogs is so important, as is helping them understand exactly what it takes to keep a dog happy and healthy.
“If children know how to act around dogs and what it is that makes a dog content, such as having the right amount of exercise and mental stimulation, it means children and families can live happily together and have a really fulfilling, safe and fun relationship.”
Teacher Annette Murray said: “It’s been wonderful to see the children so engaged and I’m sure what the children have learnt over the year will be put into practice back at home and with their friends’ and families’ dogs.”
The Dogs Trust offers free workshops at schools, community centres, libraries and any other suitable locations for parents and children.
Visit www.learnwithdogstrust.org.uk to find out more.
