What OFSTED said about Joey:

"The school’s core values are known and understood. Pupils and staff live by these each day. For example, the values of responsibility, trust and love are shown daily to Joey the school dog. Pupils and staff take great delight in helping to look after Joey and value the contribution he makes to their school experience."

• What Joey Does at Downsview
• What does Joey want to be when he grows up-
• #AllAboutJoey

Joey has his very own YouTube page where he shares videos of his adventures and other special moments with the Downsview community. Make sure you subscribe so that you are notified whenever Joey uploads something new!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYIPfigmQUyJ8mywM6mhmDQ

My name is Joey, and I am Downsview's school dog!

I am a Cockapoo and my owner is Ms Pugh, the Headteacher – although I prefer to call her Mummy! I was born on 4th May 2019 and have been coming to school since I was just 9 weeks old.

At first, I was a little shy, but after lots of training and practice, I now spend every day with the children (my friends) and the grown-ups who teach me lots of tricks and give me plenty of cuddles and treats! 🐾

Some of my favourite subjects are Reading (especially listening to stories that my friends write), Maths (I am excellent at my timestables!), PE and Forest School.

I love spending time outside playing with my friends on our amazing field and in our forest area, but I also enjoy visiting classrooms across the school. Sometimes I work with children individually and other times in small groups- it all depends on how I can best support them.

My favourite thing about being Downsview's school dog is helping my friends feel happy, safe and confident. I especially love making people smile!

On this page, I will share pictures and updates from our adventures together, so be sure to visit regularly to see what we've been up to.

Joey's Books

Joey has inspired his very own series of children's books, based on the many experiences he has shared with the children at Downsview Primary and Nursery School.

As Downsview's school dog, Joey has spent thousands of hours supporting children with friendships, worries, confidence and emotional regulation. Through his calm and reassuring presence, he has helped many children navigate those everyday challenges that come with growing up. These real-life experiences inspired the creation of the Joey book series.

Joey and the Wobbly Feeling

Joey's first book, Joey and the Wobbly Feeling, gently explores the emotions that many children experience, such as anxiety, worries and feeling overwhelmed. Through Joey's unconditional support and kindness, the story encourages children to recognise their feelings, talk openly about them and understand that it is okay to ask for help.

The book has been used across the school to support discussions about emotional wellbeing, friendships and resilience. Children have connected strongly with the story, often recognising some of their own "wobbly feelings" within its pages. It has also been shared with families during nursery visits, where both children and adults have praised its relevance and comforting message.

Joey's First Day at School

The next adventure in the Joey series, Joey's First Day at School, supports children who may be feeling nervous about starting school or experiencing new situations. Through Joey's gentle encouragement and reassurance, the story helps children understand that it is normal to feel worried about change and that being kind, brave and trying your best can help make new experiences feel a little less scary.

More Adventures to Come...

Joey's story is still being written! Future books will continue to draw upon the experiences Joey has shared with the children at Downsview, promoting kindness, empathy, emotional wellbeing and the importance of supporting one another.

All proceeds from Joey's books are used to support the children and community of Downsview Primary and Nursery School.

If you would like to follow Joey's adventures and learn more about his books, keep an eye on this page and our school communications for updates and new releases!

How Does Joey Help the Children?

The value of pet therapy is widely recognised as a powerful aid to communication, emotional wellbeing and motivation. Research has shown that companion dogs can positively impact children's wellbeing by reducing anxiety and helping to create a happier, calmer and more enjoyable school environment.

Children can benefit both educationally and emotionally from interactions with a school dog. Joey can help to motivate and encourage participation, develop empathy and nurturing skills, increase children's understanding of responsibility and contribute positively to behaviour, confidence and self-esteem.

Children cannot fail in their relationship with a dog. Dogs do not judge or criticise; instead, they offer unconditional affection and companionship. Through interactions with Joey, children learn the principles of responsible pet ownership, how to behave safely around dogs and develop important social and emotional skills. Most importantly, Joey brings joy and comfort to many members of our school community.

Why Does Downsview Have a School Dog?

The rationale for having a school dog is to provide children with opportunities to learn how to care for and interact safely with animals, whilst supporting their social and emotional development.

Joey is the Headteacher's dog and lives with Ms Pugh at home. He is cared for entirely at her own expense and is fully insured, receives regular veterinary care and remains up to date with all vaccinations and health checks.

Joey is a Cockapoo, a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. Cockapoos are known for being intelligent, sociable and affectionate dogs. Their low-shedding coats can also make them a suitable choice for school environments.

Benefits of Having a School Dog

Some of the benefits of having a school dog include:

• Providing a calming influence, particularly for pupils experiencing anxiety or social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.
• Encouraging communication, confidence and participation in quieter children.
• Teaching children to nurture, care for and respect living things.
• Motivating children to engage in learning through their natural enthusiasm for animals.
• Developing empathy, responsibility and positive relationships.
• Supporting children's emotional wellbeing and self-esteem.
• Helping children to build confidence when reading, talking and interacting with others.
• Providing opportunities for children to develop an understanding of safe and responsible pet ownership.

The school has carried out a comprehensive risk assessment, which is reviewed annually. The impact of having a school dog is regularly evaluated by the Senior Leadership Team and reported to the Governing Board to ensure that Joey continues to have a positive influence on our school community.