Donkeys bring ‘bray-time’ into Plymouth school

Children at Woodlands School in Plymouth welcomed some four-legged visitors to their school recently with an educational visit from The Donkey Sanctuary.

The session began with an assembly from Rachel Page, education officer at The Donkey Sanctuary, who talked all about understanding donkeys and their behaviour.

Rachel says: “The children were very enthusiastic and keen to ask questions. I talked about the ways The Donkey Sanctuary help donkeys in the UK and across the world.”

The highlight for children and staff at the Whitleigh school was meeting Pooh and Eeyore, the two donkeys who were brought in to the school playground from The Donkey Sanctuary’s Ivybridge centre. Grooms and volunteers from the sanctuary were on hand to answer any questions and to ensure everyone had the chance to stroke the donkeys.

A spokesperson for Woodlands School said: "Everyone enjoyed meeting Pooh and Eeyore and the pupils were all given the opportunity to groom the donkeys. Staff and children were supported to encourage as much independent interaction as possible. We would welcome them back anytime.”

The visit was part of The Donkey Sanctuary’s education programme and is linked to personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) objectives for Key Stage one and Key Stage two primary school children. For the younger pupils this focusses on recognising the needs of living things and for children in Key Stage two includes reflecting on moral, social and cultural issues, using imagination to understand the experiences of other people and animals.

Rachel Page concluded: “Our school outreach visits ensure young people have a greater understanding of donkeys and promote animal welfare by identifying the characteristics and needs that are shared by all living things.”

In addition to working directly with schools, The Donkey Sanctuary has created a number of free teaching resources which are available through the TES (Times Education Supplement) website. Carl Wholey, national schools education manager at The Donkey Sanctuary says: “The resources are delivered in project based learning formats. They are designed to provide cross curricular learning which includes geography, art and design, design and technology, English and science. To date the ‘Animals, Plants and their Habitats’ series has had more than 35,000 downloads.”

The Donkey Sanctuary works to transform the quality of life for donkeys, mules and people worldwide through greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships.