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28/06/25

DOE Update ‘we will be 45 minutes ‘ until we reach Ockendon due to traffic

28/06/25

D of E Silver: day 3 is done! All packed up and on the bus. ETA back to school 1.45om.

28/06/25

D of E Silver Day 3: they are off early! pic.twitter.com/UwwU3o5Kp6

27/06/25

D of E: all back at camp.

27/06/25

Day 2 has started - perfect weather for walking. pic.twitter.com/MHXAXFC9bo

26/06/25

Setting up camp after a long day walking pic.twitter.com/P8b08C8Z8o

26/06/25

Beautiful day ☀️ pic.twitter.com/vJE5Mq61RF

26/06/25

Silver D of E Assessment Expedition has officially started! pic.twitter.com/5feuLDLc3x

25/06/25

Well done to our year 7 rounders team for finishing 3rd place in the Borough at last nights rounders rally 🥉 pic.twitter.com/GNl6ZULJ7R

24/06/25

After a successful Pride themed bake sale on Monday, the cake stall will be up and running again during break time on Wednesday in the network area. Cakes are £1 each. Cash only please. pic.twitter.com/HttdFJKxE2

23/06/25

Some of our year 7’s have attended the Carnegie illustration awards at Harris Chafford Hundred today!  📖 📕 pic.twitter.com/i7AqFttC9F

23/06/25

A selection of year 7 & 9 students attended the prestigious Carnegie awards event at Civic Hall. Some of our student’s have read nearly 8 of the prescribed books- amazing! 📖 🏆 pic.twitter.com/OO2vS82h2l

18/06/25

Well done to our year 10 rounders team for placing 2nd in Essex at today’s regional rounders finals! pic.twitter.com/sLPYHUik6u

07/06/25

D of E: groups are all out and walking. A few downpours already! pic.twitter.com/yDoAJxGynw

06/06/25

pic.twitter.com/cqdoQHd5g6

06/06/25

All students back at camp and cooking dinner. pic.twitter.com/BWX5P4GyEk

06/06/25

pic.twitter.com/q6jgecogd1

06/06/25

D of E Bronze Assessment Expedition is off pic.twitter.com/zdwnbjxBtE

06/06/25

Silver D of E and it’s no longer raining! Students are getting ready to start walking. pic.twitter.com/52OO6iaS5N

22/05/25

Well done to some of our year 9 sports leaders for running a successful year 8 football tournament after school today! ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/2uWxFZkTy5

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Meet Bear and Nellie, our School Dogs

BearHarris Academy Ockendon are proud to introduce you to our school dogs. 

This is Bear.

He is a ‘Golden Doodle’, a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Standard Poodle.  At around 43kg he is a gentle giant, a huge bundle of licks and love.

 

 

 

Nellie 3This is Nellie.

Nellie is a Cairn Terrier, a breed originally from the Scottish Highlands.  Weighing in at approximately 8kg, she is much smaller than Bear, but equally gentle and calm.

 

 

 

Repeated studies show that school dogs can have an enormously positive impact on a school.  Bear and Nellie have been prioritised to the Senior Leadership Team, SEN department and Pastoral Team who use them to work with some of our more vulnerable students.  Children experiencing emotional trauma or struggling to cope with autism or other learning issues often find the company of a dog to be transformative.  Bear and Nelliw are often taken for short walks by students and read to by reluctant readers; they listen patiently in therapy sessions and help to de-escalate anxious students.

We have of course completed a risk assessment to make sure their presence is a safe one – measures are in place such as hand washing and an adult will always be present.  Both Bear and Nellie are described as ‘hypo-allergenic’ which reduces the risk of allergic reactions considerably.  However, we do take appropriate measures to ensure that anyone with an allergy is kept away from them.

Similarly, if a child has a genuine dog phobia, we either make sure they have no contact, or we try to help by using our counsellor and Bear and Nellie to overcome this anxiety. 

Bear and Nellie have made many new friends since joining the academy and are always looking forward to making new ones.