An alpaca, bearded dragon and a giant African snail are among the “zoo” animals that help pupils at Oasis Academy Foundry in Birmingham to become “calm and caring” students.
Oasis Academy Foundry hub leader Angie Baker says the zoo, built up by the Amazing Animal Encounter, gives children who “usually find school difficult” an incentive to work hard and behave well.
“The pupils know that they will be rewarded with feeding and spending time with the animals. They really have responded well to it.”
They are also allowed to take the animals home for a week as a reward for good behaviour.
Oasis Academy Foundry hopes that the zoo, developed in partnership with charity Near Neighbours, will bring the public together, with other school and community groups across Birmingham booking visits.
Visit www.oasisacademyfoundry.org/ to find out more.
Main pic: Oasis Academy Foundry year 4 pupil, Martha Moxon, holding a giant African snail from the school’s zoo
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