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Friday, 18 December 2009


Should pets be allowed at school?

Should pets be allowed at school?

Should we allow pets in schools? What do you think?

Rosie, a West Highland Terrier was nearly banned from The New School in Exminister, Devon, by Ofsted school inspectors.

Eleven-year-old Rosie who is loved by the children and the teachers who work there was adopted from a rescue home by Michelle Taylor, the head teacher of The New School. Once she got to know Rosie and knew that she was a very gentle dog, the head teacher brought her into school.

Ofsted inspectors, who make sure schools are up to standard, were concerned that pupils might not be safe with a dog in the school. They carried out a risk assessment and then decided the dog could stay.

Michelle Taylor was shocked that an assessment was needed. She told the Times Educational Supplement that Rosie "is the most docile animal you've ever seen in your life" and that the pupils "give her a hug if they're upset. Occasionally she will go to the toilet but the children will tell us and we will clean it up."

The inspectors are happy with Rosie now and say: "This elderly small dog appears well socialised and pupils respond to it readily when it ventures away from the head teacher's office."

What do you think? Vote in our poll to tell us if you think that a dog should be allowed in school. Or leave a comment below.





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51 Comments


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  • goddler (Age 11) wrote on Saturday, 19 December 2009 @ 13:20

    Dogs would be a good mate to play with at break time, but nasty pupils may harm it. It's not as good for class periods because it could distract other pupils, and if he or she barked during an exam it would have to go outside. Some sensitive pupils could be allergic to the animal.In my opinion I would love to have a dog or any classroom pet. by Adam Webb

  • goddler (Age 11) wrote on Saturday, 19 December 2009 @ 13:50

    yes they should

  • goddler (Age 11) wrote on Saturday, 19 December 2009 @ 13:51

    yes they should

  • amybabes (Age 14) wrote on Saturday, 19 December 2009 @ 20:42

    i think they should because its making pupils breaks better because if your alone then you've got someone to play with and also for pupils who are upset hug her or he and get happier although for bullies maybe harm it and if exams go of and it play ups or barks it will distract them and they get bed education but i think its a good idea

  • bethanyhou (Age 12) wrote on Sunday, 20 December 2009 @ 15:03

    no thay shount becaus some people re scered of animals

  • lioness (Age 11) wrote on Monday, 21 December 2009 @ 15:54

    I think pets should be aloud at school if teachers firstly check if anybody is alergic to them ,if nobody is they can keep them if somone is then they will have to send the pet to another school.

  • goddler (Age 11) wrote on Monday, 21 December 2009 @ 17:04

    yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes whos with me? ps goddler loves dogs!!!!

  • goddler (Age 11) wrote on Monday, 21 December 2009 @ 17:26

    yes yes yes yes yes they should who is with me!! ps goddler loves dogs!!

  • bexrox123 (Age 13) wrote on Tuesday, 22 December 2009 @ 09:42

    no i dont think pets should be allowed at school because they would distract your learning and they could get injured or scared.

  • Gregl (Age 14) wrote on Friday, 1 January 2010 @ 16:23

    Yes but maybe one pupil a week should be allowed otherwise it cold get very confusing and should be kept away from the classroom during lessons

  • Gregl (Age 14) wrote on Friday, 1 January 2010 @ 16:24

    Yes but maybe one pupil a week should be allowed otherwise it cold get very confusing and should be kept away from the classroom during lessons

  • looby99 (Age 12) wrote on Saturday, 9 January 2010 @ 16:51

    no because people are allergic or scared

  • ewey (Age 11) wrote on Wednesday, 13 January 2010 @ 14:59

    yes because id love to bring my dog

  • SweetiePie (Age 13) wrote on Friday, 15 January 2010 @ 15:57

    they shouldn't bcuz sum ppl r scared of them or allergic

  • R-Splat (Age 13) wrote on Wednesday, 27 January 2010 @ 17:49

    In some ways it is good but someways bad. It would be fun to have a dog in school but people might go a bit crazy and harm it by accident or diliberatly. Or people might be scared of it or allergic. But my opinion would be yes, if the dog (and sometomes the children) are under control around eachother

  • lucas2000 (Age 12) wrote on Thursday, 28 January 2010 @ 20:50

    i think that we should be aloud to take pets to school

  • gecko1 (Age 12) wrote on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 @ 12:13

    In my school we have fish and gerbils in my form and they don't harm anyone.

  • Mello (Age 11) wrote on Wednesday, 15 September 2010 @ 20:08

    Dogs are cool and if the

  • Mello (Age 11) wrote on Wednesday, 15 September 2010 @ 20:09

    Dogs are

  • Molster (Age 11) wrote on Thursday, 7 October 2010 @ 20:39

    I definatley think that pets should be allowed at schoool. It would be so much fun and if you got upset or something then you could just go and hug your pet.

  • Monkey27 (Age 14) wrote on Monday, 1 November 2010 @ 13:34

    I think that there should be certain days where you can bring in pets, not eery day

  • pearl (Age 11) wrote on Sunday, 7 November 2010 @ 13:46

    OF COARSE THEY SHOULD!

  • liljen2001 (Age 10) wrote on Friday, 24 December 2010 @ 13:39

    On some ocassions they should

  • Hajra444 (Age 9) wrote on Sunday, 2 January 2011 @ 13:35

    I think pets can only come on non-uniform day and toy day and your own birthday those are the best three days

  • PinkPiggy (Age 11) wrote on Thursday, 3 February 2011 @ 19:22

    Pets are not allowed in our school anymore,b ut your lucky you have a dog!Even if we were allowed on we would not be able to have a dog maby a Fish but not a Dog.Thank PinkPiggy

  • Demi008 (Age 11) wrote on Monday, 7 February 2011 @ 20:06

    i think they shud but i also think they shudnt the reason why i sed yes was because some are cute and soft and fuffly and freinsdly and the reson i sed no coz im scared of dogs,some dogs r vicious and someppl are scared of other things so i wudnt no

  • rhianna9 (Age 10) wrote on Tuesday, 15 February 2011 @ 18:19

    It could not do harm any1 and i agree with godler for anything x great answer!

  • sneha (Age 12) wrote on Friday, 18 February 2011 @ 22:12

    I agree with rhianna9

  • Ellsybub (Age 10) wrote on Sunday, 10 April 2011 @ 08:52

    Yeah the should

  • Hajra444 (Age 9) wrote on Thursday, 14 April 2011 @ 13:09

    they can bring in a pet but not a messy one

  • mooseylucy (Age 9) wrote on Monday, 18 April 2011 @ 18:59

    It gets the kids used to looking after animals they should keep it

  • honeyjake (Age 12) wrote on Friday, 3 June 2011 @ 22:46

    Yes and no. People may have an alergic reaction however it is said that animals can help being relaxed and can help work in tests.

  • misty (Age 11) wrote on Wednesday, 22 June 2011 @ 19:23

    Yes but there should be a pet free zone for people that are allergic to animals

  • muchlove (Age 12) wrote on Monday, 4 July 2011 @ 20:42

    i no it sounds weaired but i dont think they should be because they might get hurt or they might need food

  • looby99 (Age 12) wrote on Tuesday, 19 July 2011 @ 18:10

    i disagre with rhianna9, because a dog could bite or scratch someone. if my school let a dog wonder round i would move schools

  • edenboots (Age 12) wrote on Saturday, 27 August 2011 @ 18:45

    YES! they are awesome

  • Cerrie (Age 11) wrote on Wednesday, 31 August 2011 @ 10:01

    I agree with misty. There should be a an animal free zone for people who are allergic.

  • redhorse10 (Age 14) wrote on Monday, 5 September 2011 @ 19:57

    No - people can have allergies and some may have phobias or fears of animals (they're different things). Guide dogs, yes. Others, no, even though I am a real fan of animals! :)

  • chocolate8 (Age 12) wrote on Tuesday, 27 September 2011 @ 17:15

    I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE MY PETS TO SCHOOL

  • Honor (Age 11) wrote on Wednesday, 19 October 2011 @ 19:44

    yes because i love my dog but no cos it might not enjoy it and be uncomftable And anyone who likes harry potter go them!!!!!!!!!!1

  • ttt54321 (Age 11) wrote on Tuesday, 25 October 2011 @ 20:04

    Yes and no. No because people may have allergies and yes because SOME are friendly and some are a bit vicious.

  • madpup (Age 12) wrote on Wednesday, 18 January 2012 @ 20:10

    I think it would be agood idea because it would give some pupils more confidence and if you don't have any friends then it would be nice to have someone to talk to and play with.

  • annacatshe (Age 12) wrote on Friday, 20 January 2012 @ 20:19

    now that i would love it would be fantastic

  • melie (Age 10) wrote on Saturday, 21 January 2012 @ 16:36

    Pets should be aloud to school but their owner will have to look after them to make sure it doesn't harm anyone. Also if pets were aloud to come to school but there should be different dates like wednesday for cats and fridays for dogs etc. Because cats and dogs fight.

  • jobo2002 (Age 10) wrote on Wednesday, 14 March 2012 @ 19:42

    Cool, My class are getting some fish but i wish we got a dog,cat or chickens instead!

  • WEEGEEFAN1 (Age 10) wrote on Saturday, 17 March 2012 @ 14:48

    I struggle a lot at school, especially with my maths, and when I get all worked up and stressed after the lesson the only thing I want is my dog. I try thinking about him but it doesn't really help. Therefore I think students who want to bring their pets in should have to arrange it with the school, be responsible for any damages it does and make sure it doesn't distract any of the pupils.

  • mabli (Age 9) wrote on Monday, 19 March 2012 @ 16:49

    If it helps you recover from saddness. And anyway you are stuck in school all day why not have it. aslong as it does not diseb in lessojns. And teachers clean up the muck why not keep it.

  • cuter54321 (Age 10) wrote on Tuesday, 20 March 2012 @ 18:36

    Even though a dog is a mans best friend. It could still affect your education

  • methebee (Age 10) wrote on Thursday, 12 April 2012 @ 08:17

    Well, at my bro's school they have two guinea pigs and one of my cats wonders round the school and the neighbour school because we live close. At my school someone who goes there's cat (Bullet is the cats name) wonders around and lets pupils stroke him so Bullet is like the school owns him (like my one). I think they should make sure none of the pupils/teachers are allergic to dogs and make sure no one is scared of the dog first or it should only be in the head-teachers office.

  • girlonfire (Age 10) wrote on Sunday, 15 April 2012 @ 16:15

    I think occasionally this would be a good idea but of children who are allergic to pets are unfortunate. At my old school we used to be able to bring our pets at home-time which I thought was a good idea

  • awesomepup (Age 12) wrote on Wednesday, 23 May 2012 @ 18:35

    I'd love to bring my dog into school! All the kids there love her!