Dogs and Other Pets

Dog

Dogs are not allowed on site unless they are trained as therapy dogs and a full risk assessment has been carried out. This includes guide dogs and school therapy dogs. Even then they may not be allowed in certain classes or parts of the school due to phobias or allergies.

We also ask that dogs are not tied at the school gates because it puts them too close to children as they are arriving or leaving the site.

Why?

The school site is very busy and it is possible for even the most docile dog to be frightened by the crowding. Smaller children may not understanding how to safely approach a dog and there is the risk, however small, that a dog may become frightened and bite. Secondly, we have children who are nervous of dogs. We've been contacted by parents saying they've had to carry their young children through the gates because there have been dogs tied there. Thirdly, if a dog goes to the toilet on site they may leave pathogens or parasitic organisms that can be harmful to children.

What could you do?

Walking your dog at the school drop off and pick up time is obviously really sensible! We realise that what we are asking makes it much more difficult for you to do that. If you have very young children, our suggestion is to either make an arrangement with another parent to wait with your dog while you pick up or ask another parent to collect your children while you wait with your dog. This means you or the other parent can stand a little away from the gates just outside the school site.

When your children are old enough you can arrange to meet them just outside the gates. Let us know that you would like this to happen and regularly remind your children to return to the school office if you aren't there waiting for them.