Woodcroft therapy dog

We are very proud to introduce Bambi, our PAWS-accredited therapy dog. Bambi is a beautiful, calm-natured Irish Setter who loves everyone and everything. 

We have found that the presence of a trained dog in school can support self-regulation, interpersonal skills, and encourage a readiness to learn in and out of the classroom. Bambi has timetabled visits each week, and as you can see from the photographs pupils are happy to interact in a positive way.

As part of the programme, we teach our children about how to approach a dog calmly, how to read its body language, what its needs are and how to care for it.

Of course, we understand that for some children the presence of a dog, however gentle, can be a source of fear and anxiety. One of the important roles of a therapy dog is to try, where appropriate, to help overcome those fears. This may allow some children to feel more empowered and less frightened, making everyday life in the community a little bit easier.

Finally, here is an observation from our 2025 PAWS accreditation: “Bambi is a wonderfully composed and affectionate dog who is very well suited to this work. It was a pleasure for Ali to see such a confident, settled team.”

Music at Woodcroft

Music has been an integral part of life at Woodcroft from the very beginning, when the founders worked with the concept of sung speech to assist with the development of language skills.

The school currently has a music teacher and music therapist who work together and in individual sessions. Alongside other therapists and classroom staff they promote the childrens’ physical and emotional development; encourage confidence, listening, creativity and performance; promote an understanding of culture and history; and of course inspire a love of music.

The music curriculum is based on the Equals framework and includes social and listening skills, singing, playing instruments, creating music, dancing, performing in front of others and playing musical games. It covers musical concepts such as tempo, rhythm, timbre, texture, structure, pitch and dynamics; as well as other fundamental ideas including stop/go, loud/quiet, fast/slow, and high/low.

Children learn to express themselves and communicate through music in a variety of settings. Class singing, music therapy sessions, school choir, assemblies and concerts are regular timetabled events. We have visits by outside instrumental groups. We provide opportunities for children to participate in creative activities: for example, an interactive cinema screening with live musicians is arranged annually at school. Last, but not least, our Christmas concert brings pupils, parents and staff together to celebrate the childrens’ creative achievements.