Two schools first in UK to receive PDSA PetWise status

Two schools in the north east, have been awarded ‘PetWise’ status by veterinary charity PDSA, with the award designed to teach the next generation of pet owners about caring for pets.

Morpeth All Saints CofE Aided First School in Northumberland and Benton Dene Special School in Newcastle, are the first schools to have completed the programme, since signing up later last year. Both schools dedicated time each week to complete the modules, working their way up through the four easy-to-follow levels.

Since its launch, 174 schools and groups have now signed up for the awards, reaching more than 35,000 children in the process.

Rachel Rush, a teacher at Benton Dene Special School said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for our children. The award was engaging and interesting at every point and everything you needed to deliver the sessions was all there, from curriculum-linked planning sheets to PowerPoint slides. Our pupils are looking forward to sharing their newly-gained knowledge with others. Thank you PDSA for an amazing award.”

Ailsa Jones, PDSA’s group head of veterinary services, added: “Our PetWise for Schools award is designed to be a curriculum-linked programme. It teaches primary-aged children about pets’ welfare needs in a fun and engaging way. And thanks to support from the players of People’s Postcode Lottery to develop the award, it’s free for any primary schools, home schools or uniform groups to sign up to.”