We welcome a new member to the team!

Town Close School are thrilled to welcome a new member to the team this term! Bella, a gorgeous 5-month old Australian Labradoodle, formally joined the School’s esteemed Learning Support Team this week and will work throughout the School to enhance the children’s educational, social and emotional development.

Head of Learning Support and Bella’s custodian Francesca Rymarz said: “Bella is an incredibly calm and gentle dog who has already this week provided great support and joy to the pupils and the staff within School. She has been a positive presence within the library lessons as well as in a number of group and one-to-one sessions in learning support and counselling. She has settled in beautifully and is thoroughly enjoying the attention and walks from all of the children!”

Research reporting the profound benefits of dogs within education has led to a growing movement towards the introduction of ‘Reading’ and ‘Therapy’ dogs within schools. Children, who found reading practice difficult, were found to be more willing and able to read to an animal than they were to a human and similarly, within the field of counselling, children found the presence of a dog a source of comfort and companionship.

Bella is an Australian Labradoodle, a non-shedding breed renowned for their calm temperament and receptiveness to skilled training. As a puppy she attended a four-week training course with WKD Trained Dogs, a residential training centre that specialises in school and service dogs who also carry out temperament tests to ensure that each particular puppy is suited to the environment in which they will live and work.

Headmaster of Town Close School Nick Bevington said: “It was obviously incredibly important that we selected a puppy who would be perfectly suited to working with children who have a range of needs and experience with animals. Bella is a fantastic asset to the School; the children, staff and parents are all incredibly excited to have her as part of the Town Close family.”

For more information about Bella or to book an appointment to tour the School and meet her in person please contact Amy Jones on 01603 599030, or email admissions@townclose.com