Stress-busting dog arrives at Brighton girls’ school to help calm exam nerves of Covid-era students
Pip the Cavapoo to the rescue! Stress-busting dog arrives at £15,000-a-year Brighton girls’ school to help calm the nerves of anxious A-Level students who have NEVER sat a public exam because of Covid
Year 13 pupils have no experience with external exams due to Covid restrictions At one £15,000-a-year school, a dog is helping students cope with the stress The therapy dog, called Pip, is a cross between a spaniel and a miniature poodleBrighton Girls School said the dog was helping students with their mental health
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A Cavapoo called Pip has been brought in to help calm frayed nerves and pre-exam jitters for pupils taking exams for the first time.
Due to the Covid pandemic, A-level candidates across Britain have never sat a public examination before.
But Brighton Girls School felt they could help their pupils mental health and well-being during this stressful time.
Pip, a cross between a cavalier King Charles spaniel and a miniature poodle, has been sitting in on exam classes at the senior school to help as well as helping younger pupils with their reading groups.
And she has been going down a storm with the girls who say she has helped calm nerves and concentrate their minds.
Pip the Cavapoo has been brought in to help calm frayed nerves and pre-exam jitters for pupils at Brighton Girls’ School taking exams for the first time – with Covid having cancelled their GCSEs. Pictured: Pupil Molly with Pip the emotional support dog
Pip, the emotional support dog, is a cross between a cavalier King Charles spaniel and a miniature poodle
Introducing dogs in schools has been growing in popularity since educationalist Sir Anthony Seldon declared he believed all schools should have a dog or other pet in order to reduce stress in the classroom – although critics argue it could cause harm to both animals and children if done incorrectly
Molly Kronhamn, 17, who is taking A-levels in history, classics and English literature, said: ‘Having never officially sat our GCSEs, it’s the process and the formality of the A-levels that feel a bit overwhelming as they approach.
‘I have been OK with the revision, it’s just the thought of the actual moment of the exams that has been nerve wracking.’
Molly, who is hoping to go get into the University of York, said: ‘It was lovely to have Pip with us when we have been revising – she is a calming distraction and takes your mind off what’s ahead for a little while so you come back to work with a fresh mind.’
Cluny Graham, 17, who is studying A-levels in biology, economics and sports science, said: ‘While I like the learning side of my studies, I strongly dislike the actual exams and the stress they bring.
‘It’s been a difficult time and Pip has been a lovely calming influence during revision.’
Introducing dogs in schools has been growing in popularity since educationalist Sir Anthony Seldon declared he believed all schools should have a dog or other pet in order to reduce stress in the classroom.
In 2019 he explained: ‘The quickest and biggest hit that we can make to improve mental health in our schools and to make them feel safe for children is to have at least one dog in every single school in the country.’
Year 13 students have never sat an external exam before, due to their GCSEs having been cancelled during the Covid pandemic
Brighton Girls’ School, which charges £15,000 a year, said it introduced Pip the canine to help students’ mental health
Rosie McColl, headteacher at the £15,000-a-year Brighton Girls, said: ‘There is growing evidence of the benefit of a school dog for children’s and adults’ social and emotional wellbeing.
‘It has been an incredibly tough time for Year 13s over the last two years.
‘They were the ones who had to deal with the mental blow of having their GCSEs cancelled when the pandemic first hit and consequently they have had no experience of what it’s like to sit an external exam.
‘Pip’s presence really changes the atmosphere when they are revising – and the girls really seem to respond to that in terms of their mental health.’
Last year the school introduced ‘laughter classes’ to help the pupils adjust to help reintroduce camaraderie and fun after pupils returned to school following months of lockdown.
