Pupils enjoy reading to new canine classmate!

CHILDREN at Forest and Sandridge Primary School in Melksham recently welcomed the newest  – and furriest – addition to their classrooms, a labrador called Jess.

Jess is a ‘reading dog’ who visits once a week as part of a ‘read2dogs’ scheme intended to boost children’s enjoyment of reading.

Deputy headteacher Vicki Lidell says, “The children are thoroughly enjoying reading to Jess and often have more confidence in their reading when they are with her.

“Jess’s owner, Mrs Hiscocks, comes in with Jess too and gives up her own time to do this. In the future we are hoping to take Jess to the Brookside residential home in Melksham with some children so that the residents there can enjoy books with her too.”