A school has been dubbed the dog savviest school in Worcestershire after having lessons in how to be responsible dog owners every half term this school year.

Dogs Trust education and community officer Charlotte Paddock has visited Cutnall Green Primary School 12 times since the start of the school year to deliver a series of lessons and workshops.

Her visits add up to 40 hours to 120 pupils across Key Stages 1 and 2.

As well as learning how to be safe around dogs, the pupils have also had lessons on what it takes to give a dog a healthy life, being a responsible dog owner and hearing all about a day in the life of a Dogs Trust dog, which all link into the national curriculum. 

Charlotte said: “I go into schools every day to teach children all about dog safety and responsible dog ownership, but Cutnall Green Primary is definitely the school I’ve visited the most!

"It’s been a great year and it’s wonderful to see them all enjoy themselves so much.

“Teaching children how to behave around dogs is so important, as is helping them understand exactly what it takes to keep a dog happy and healthy. If children know how to act around dogs and what it is that makes a dog content, such as having the right amount of exercise and mental stimulation, it means children and families can live happily together and have a really fulfilling, safe and fun relationship.”

Annette Murray who is a teacher at Cutnall Green Primary School, said: “This has definitely been a year to remember and Charlotte has been great at keeping our children interested throughout the sessions – they all look forward to seeing her as they’ve always had so much fun learning all about dogs and how to be safe around them.

“It’s been wonderful to see the children so engaged and I’m sure what the children have learnt over the year will be put into practice back at home with their friends’ and families’ dogs.” 

Dogs Trust offers free workshops at schools, community centres, libraries and any other suitable locations, for parents and children. 

To find out more visit learnwithdogstrust.org.uk