School Pets

Welcome Rufus and Jasper!

In January 2020 we got our first school dog called 'Rufus' who is an apricot coloured Cockapoo. In December 2021 we were lucky enough to have our second school dog called 'Jasper' who is also a Cockapoo, but chocolate coloured.

Both Rufus and Jasper love seeing the children around school, whether it's at break and lunchtimes or in their classrooms. They adore sitting with them in the reading forest as they read books. The academy's 'Barking Buddies', take turns to visit them throughout the week, checking they have water to drink and walking them around our huge fields.

Beacon made the decision to get school dogs because research shows that 'School dogs have been proven to help develop students' reading skills, improve behaviour, attendance and academic confidence, as well as increasing student understanding of responsibility and develop empathy and nurturing skills'.

School dogs

Welcome Lilo and Stitch!

In June 2022 we got two 8 week old Mini Rex rabbits.

The children were asked to think of names for the rabbits and in assembly the children voted for their favourite names.

The school made the decision to get rabbits because this is something the children had asked for when talking to the school council.

At Beacon we understand how having school pets ties in with the school curriculum for PSHE as it enables children to develop their emotional and social needs – empathy, care, love, compassion, understanding, commitment and building confidence.

Beacon Academy

School Pets

Welcome Rufus and Jasper!

School dogs

Welcome Lilo and Stitch!

School rabbits

Lighthouse Multi Academy Trust