Dogs on Site Policy

Policy Date: September 2023

Next Review: September 2025

Overall aims of this policy

Our aim is to deal with issues relating to dogs on our school grounds.

There are four key issues to be explored:

● Dogs being brought onto school grounds by parents/carers when dropping off or

picking up pupils

● Dogs being brought into school as an interactive educational activity for pupils

● Members of the public using the school grounds to walk their dogs

● Stray dogs on school ground

The Education Authority has recommended strongly to schools that dogs are only allowed

on school premises for educational purposes or with pupils, staff or members of the public

as a registered service dog. The Headteacher, along with the Governors, have considered

this advice seriously and have put this policy in place to support all members of the Co-op

Academy Brownhill community.

Advice to those bringing dogs to school at drop off and pick up times

It is recognised that dogs are an important part of family life for many in our school

community, and as such are often included in day-to-day activities such as walking

children to and from school. However, others may find the presence of dogs in the

playground and school grounds stressful, even frightening particularly with younger

children, and even well-behaved dogs can behave unpredictably when placed in a busy,

noisy and crowded environment. Therefore dogs are not permitted onto the school playground at any time.

● Please be aware that if approached by a member of staff about having a dog on the

grounds to be respectful. The staff member is working under instruction from the

Headteacher to apply the agreed policy.

● For the safety of the dog, as well as for the benefit of others, do not tie your pet to

the gates or the fencing around the school premise and leave it unattended.

Dogs being brought in the school as an educational activity for pupils

Schools may wish from time to time to bring a dog into the school as part of an

educational activity. This could include activities such as therapy dogs, Guide Dogs for the

blind and Dogs Trust Workshops, such as staying safe around dogs.

The following guidance should be adhered to:

● A risk assessment is completed prior to the visit

● The dog is from a recognised organisation that can show evidence of the dogs nature and emperament

● The organisation has public liability insurance

● Parents/carers have been informed of the proposed visit/how the visit will be carried out

● The extent of interaction with the pupils and permission slips received

● Alternative arrangements for pupils that may not wish to participate in the activity

● All necessary arrangements have been put in place prior to the visit, as agreed with

the organisation bringing in the dog. This should take into consideration size, breed of dog, age group and numbers of children.

● Consideration taken of any allergic reactions to dogs that pupils or staff may have

● Pupils have been informed of their appropriate behaviour around dogs, prior to the

visit. This should be done in conjunction with the organisation bringing the dog and guidance taken from them.

● Good hygiene and hand washing procedures in place for pupils

Members of the public walking/exercising dogs on school grounds

School grounds are private property and should not be used for the purpose of exercising

dogs. In the first instance, if safe to do so, the dog owner should be approached and

asked to leave the grounds explaining that it is private property. If this continues or staff

feel they are unable to approach the dog owner the school should contact the local council

dog warden (07710 232372) or the police.

Stray dogs on school grounds

If there is a stray dog in the school grounds contact your local council dog warden on

07710232372 for advice and they will come and remove the dog from the school grounds.

Children should be kept indoors until the dog has been safely removed.