Dogs on School Site Policy

This policy is intended to ensure that our children, staff, contractors and visitors are kept safe  and secure whilst on site.  

Governors and staff recognise that dogs are an important part of life for some of our families and,  as such, are often included in day-to-day activities such as walking children to and from school.  In our teaching we promote the relationship between people and their pets and accept and  encourage the idea of pets as ‘family members’. We do see pet ownership as a valuable  educational experience for children.  

However we also recognise that there are some risks associated with dogs:

• Bites. The main risk from dogs is bites and possible secondary infection that may result from  bites. Various phobias may also be associated with seeing dogs or the possibility of  interacting with dogs, more notably relating to dogs fighting on school sites, which is often  frightening to many young children and even some adults.  
• Allergic Reaction. The proteins from the hair, saliva or urine of dogs may trigger an allergic  reaction that attacks the eyes and airways and may result in asthmatic symptoms. Other  allergic reactions may include Atopic Dermatitis, a more common allergy linked to dogs.  
• Toxicariasis. Dog faeces are associated with a number of transmissible diseases and  infections. The most widely known health risk is Toxicariasis which is passed from the  parasite Toxocara; a round worm commonly found in dogs and puppies. Toxocara eggs are  present in the faeces of infected animals and can remain in soil for several years after faeces  have disappeared. Eggs can also cling to the coat of infected animals. Children who swallow  these eggs may become ill and, although very rare, serious illness can occur. Ingestion may  occur through contact with contaminated soil or from patting and stroking infected dogs.  
• General unpleasantness. When children playing in the school grounds fall onto or stand in  faeces left by dogs, it is unpleasant for the child concerned and the member of staff who  helps to clean up the child.

It has been decided that, in this Academy, dogs are not allowed on the school grounds, with the  exception of guide/assistance dogs. Trained dogs may also be brought into school as part of the  curriculum, therapy or assemblies, following completion of an appropriate risk assessment.  

For Co-op Academy Broadhurst this means no dogs anywhere on site, including when they are  being carried, if they have not been risk assessed as part of the above activities. A risk assessment will ensure that any of the risks we have identified will be addressed and measures put in place to  ensure that interaction with the dog is safe. We would always check with parents before using a therapy dog in school with a child.  

No dogs should be left tied up and unattended. Any adults bringing a dog on to the school site will  be reminded of the school’s policy and asked to take the dog off site.  

We will promote this policy through reminders in the school newsletters, posters on site and in  assemblies.  

We will check the effectiveness of this policy by:

● Daily monitoring from member of staff on morning gate duty

● Feedback from parents, governors and staff  

● Reports from the Site Caretaker

● Health & Safety Inspections

Agreed by the Governing Body on: 11/10/23  

This policy is effective from October 2023.