Maple Hayes Hall School Welcomes New Four-Legged Member of Staff

Nina is the new school dog at Maple Hayes

A year after the passing of their beloved school dog Lucy, Maple Hayes Hall School in Staffordshire has welcomed its newest member of staff—though this particular recruit is more interested in belly rubs than staff meetings.

Nina, the school's new dog, has been settling into her new home over the summer holidays and is looking forward to welcoming all pupils and new starters when they begin the new term in September.

Her arrival comes almost twelve months after the school announced the peaceful passing of Lucy, their 17-year-old cockapoo who had provided invaluable emotional support and comfort to pupils for over a decade. Lucy, who became a local celebrity after featuring in The Times in 2017, helped dozens of students navigate the challenges of school life, particularly those associated with dyslexia.

Dr Daryl Brown, Co-Principal of Maple Hayes Hall School, said: "Nina really is a joy, and although she won't be replacing Lucy, she will start a new chapter for us all. She's got her own special personality and we're excited to see how she'll bring her own unique form of happiness to our pupils."

Research continues to highlight the benefits of animals in educational settings, with studies showing that interactions with friendly animals can reduce stress and blood pressure whilst promoting social interaction and communication. A 2019 study found that interacting with dogs in educational settings led to a 60% decrease in self-reported anxiety and loneliness symptoms in university students.

The independent school, established in 1982 by Dr Neville Brown and his wife Brenda, has been at the forefront of dyslexia education for over four decades. The school uses a distinctive morphological approach to teaching English, employing visual icons to create links between meaning and spelling, diverging from traditional phonics-based instruction that often proves challenging for dyslexic learners.