Danetree Primary hosts its own top of the pups challenge

Forget Crufts and move over Discovering Dogs, Danetree Primary School in West Ewell was the place to be the other week for animal lovers as the Reception class hosted its own dog show – for toys.

​Youngsters at the school, which this September added an extra reception entry class and a new nursery, making it one of the biggest primary schools in the region, brought in their favourite furry friends for a pet display which was just as seriously contested as anything more lively creatures might manage.

“It was a great bit of fun but we tried to make it as believable as possible,” said Early Years Foundation Stage leader Rachel Clement, who organised the event. “We had categories such as ‘Most appealing eyes’ and ‘Dog with the best walk’, and once we’d chosen the winners of the individual categories, we then had a panel of three judges to choose the best in show!”.

The eventual winner of the event at Danetree – a member of the GLF Schools multi-academy trust – was Fishy, the slightly confusingly named pet dog owned by Evie of Bumblebees class.

“The children enjoyed the whole thing so much, it much it great fun for us too,” added Ms Clement. “So much so, in fact, that we’re already making plans to repeat it next year!”