Introduction

We recognise our responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and will take all reasonably practicable steps to provide and maintain safe and healthy working conditions (on the school premises and during school-sponsored activities), equipment and systems of work for all our pupils, school personnel and visitors to the school. 

We believe we are an animal friendly school as we wish to comply with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and to encourage both pupils and school personnel to be aware of the welfare needs of both domestic and wild animals.  

We do not wish to cause any animal any form of distress or suffering and therefore we will not permanently keep any animal in school as we believe pupils can be taught about them without animals being kept in classrooms. Animals have the right to be kept in a suitable environment with a suitable diet and should be allowed to display normal behaviour patterns. 

We wish to develop the school grounds into an interesting educational environment where pupils can study animals in a natural environment by showing respect for them in the places where they live. We encourage pupils never to handle animals or disturb their natural environment.

Planned visits to community farms will teach children about farm animals, animal welfare and where their food comes from.

We actively discourage animals being brought onto the school site without prior permission and we will immediately contact the local dog warden if any dog strays onto the school grounds.

We wish to work closely with the School Council and to hear their views and opinions as we acknowledge and support Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child that children should be encouraged to form and to express their views.

We as a school community have a commitment to promote equality. Therefore, an equality impact assessment has been undertaken and we believe this policy is in line with the Equality Act 2010.

We believe it is essential that this policy clearly identifies and outlines the roles and responsibilities of all those involved in the procedures and arrangements that is connected with this policy.

Aims:

• To teach and promote a caring respect of both domestic and wild animals.

• To protect pupils from dogs or any other animal straying onto the school grounds.

• To ensure compliance with all relevant legislation connected to this policy.

• To share good practice within the school and with other schools. 

• To work with other schools and the local authority to share good practice in order to improve this policy.

Role of the Governing Body:

• Appoint a member of staff to be responsible for the development of sustainability throughout the school;

• Delegated powers and responsibilities to the Headteacher to ensure all school personnel and stakeholders are aware of and comply with this policy;

• Responsibility for ensuring full compliance with all statutory responsibilities;

• Responsibility for ensuring that the school complies with all equalities legislation;

• Nominated a designated Equalities governor to ensure that appropriate action will be taken to deal with all prejudice related incidents or incidents which are a breach of this policy; 

• Responsibility for ensuring funding is in place to support this policy;

• Make effective use of relevant research and information to improve this policy;

• Responsibility for ensuring this policy and all policies are maintained and updated regularly;

• Responsibility for ensuring all policies are made available to parents;

• responsibility for the effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of this policy.

Role of the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team:

The Headteacher and the Senior Leadership Team will:

• Ensure all school personnel, pupils and parents are aware of and comply with this policy;

• Promote an animal friendly school by:

  • ensuring the school conforms to animal welfare legislation;

  • ensuring pupils and school personnel demonstrate responsibility and respect towards all living things;

  • teaching pupils about animals and their needs;

  • Involving our Pupil Voice Group (Eco-Warriors) to steer the application of this policy.

• Ensure dogs do not stray onto the school grounds;

• Ensure good practice is shared throughout the school;

• Be prepared for all types of school inspection;

• Work closely with the link governor and coordinator;

• Provide leadership and vision in respect of equality;

• Make effective use of relevant research and information to improve this policy;

• Provide guidance, support and training to all staff;

• Make effective use of relevant research and information to improve this policy;

• Monitor the effectiveness of this policy by: 

  • monitoring learning and teaching through observing lessons;

  • monitoring planning and assessment;

  • speaking with pupils, school personnel, parents and governors.

• Annually report to the Governing Body on the success and development of this policy.

Role of the Leader:

• Lead the development of this policy throughout the school;

• Work closely with the Headteacher and the nominated governor;

• Lead a group of teachers with each having responsibility for one Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship concept;

• Provide confidence for all teachers to deliver Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship;

• Provide, in association with all teachers, effective planning in order to develop numeracy, literacy and thinking skills within cross-curricular thematic Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship projects; 

• Organise a range of extra-curricular activities such as the following in order to promote Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship:

  • Pupil Voice Groups;

  • Eco club;

  • Gardening club;

  • Healthy cookery club;

  • Forest Schools;

  • Fair Trade;

  • Local Community Projects;

  • Fund Raising for Local and National Charities.

• Progress with national awards such as the 'Eco-School Flag, Healthy Schools and International Schools' awards;

• Will develop 'The UN Rights of the Child' throughout the school;

• Will achieve 'Fair-trade Schools' status;

• Provide guidance and support to all staff;

• Will develop a directory of providers with good practice in Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship;

• Provide training for all staff and the nominated governor on induction and when the need arises;

• Keep up to date with new developments and resources;

• Make effective use of relevant research and information to improve this policy;

• Provide regular Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship information for parents and the local community;

• Evaluate the impact of provision on pupils understanding of Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship;

• Review and monitor;

• Annually report to the Governing Body on the success and development of this policy.

Role of School Personnel:

• Comply with all aspects of this policy;

• Teach pupils about the welfare needs of both domestic and wild animals; 

• Develop the school grounds into an animal friendly environment;

• Organise educational visits to community farms and nature reserves;

• Assess animal welfare issues before visiting a community farm, nature reserve or any other venue such as zoos, safari parks, rescue centres or animal sanctuaries;

• Establish an after school eco-club;

• Be aware of all other linked policies;

• Maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour within and outside school and not to undermine fundamental values;

• Work in partnership parents and carers keeping them up to date with their child's progress and behaviour at school;

• Work hard to maintain a safe and respected school environment;

• Implement the school’s equalities policy and schemes;

• Report and deal with all incidents of discrimination;

• Attend appropriate training sessions on equality;

• Report any concerns they have on any aspect of the school community.

Role of Pupils:

• Be aware of and comply with this policy;

• Encouraged to join relevant after school clubs;

• Be encouraged to work in partnership with the school by making decisions and exercising choice in relation to their educational programme;

• Listening carefully to all instructions given by the teacher;

• Asking for further help if they do not understand;

• Treating others, their work and equipment with respect;

• Supporting the school Code of Conduct and guidance necessary to ensure the smooth running of the school;

• Liaising with the school council;

• Taking part in questionnaires and surveys.

Role of Parents/Carers:

• Be aware of and comply with this policy;

• Work in partnership with the school;

• Comply with this policy for the benefit of their children;

• Be asked to take part periodic surveys conducted by the school;

• Support the school Code of Conduct and guidance necessary to ensure smooth running of the school.

This policy will be reviewed when necessary.