Poppy the school dog takes on listening role to help boost children’s reading skills

Children at a Newcastle primary school have a new assistant to help improve their reading skills - in the form of Poppy the school dog.
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The cavapoo, who has been at St Charles’ Catholic Primary School, in Gosforth, for two years, is being drafted into classes to encourage hesitant readers and pupils who do not always have anyone at home to listen to them.

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Pupils will read to Poppy starting with some of the youngest children in school, aged between five and seven-years-old, in Key Stage 1.

The idea is it will enable children to listen to themselves read out loud without any peer pressure about making mistakes - encouraging them to read for pleasure and build their confidence.

The listening role is a new one for Poppy, who supports a focus on well-being at St Charles' Catholic Primary School, which is part of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust.

She usually spends a few days a week in school and visits all the classes, with her presence beneficial for children who may be feeling upset and a little worried.

Children will come and spend time with Poppy and during this time they share their feelings with staff who can try and help.

Poppy also enjoys going on the school field and playing with the children - and staff enjoy coming to stroke her too. 

She can also provide practical lessons - for example, Year 1 children bathed her last year when learning about looking after animals.

However she has been known to ‘play truant’ on occasion - by escaping and running to play with her ball on the field.

Children at St Charles say they enjoy having Poppy as their school dog.

“She's cute and I love it when she comes into our classroom,” one pupil said. 

Another said: “It’s great to have a school dog, I’m excited when she is around.”
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Head teacher Louise Nealings said: ”It is a pleasure to see the children with Poppy. 
“You can see their worries disappear and the joy on their face when they see her is wonderful."