A Waggy Welcome from Jaffle

Hello! I’m Jaffle Winston Reynecke-Raybould, and I am the smallest and lowest member of staff at Ashdon Primary School.

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I’m a smooth-haired miniature dachshund. I was born on 3rd October 2024, which makes me quite young, though I like to think I carry myself with the dignity of a much older dog. I have short legs, long ears and an excellent nose, and I am reliably the first to know when someone has brought a sandwich into school.

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I started at Ashdon in January 2025 and I come in four days a week. On my day off I stay at home with my dad and go to my weekly swimming lesson. I have two brothers, Clive and Riaan, and I’m afraid they are far better swimmers than I am – though I do think it’s easier for them, since they live in a tank.

You’ll usually find me in the Headteacher’s office with my mum, where I have my own bed, my own toys and a water bowl that I expect to be kept topped up. It’s a good spot – I get to greet visitors, keep an eye on the comings and goings, and be first in the queue for a fuss.

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My Favourite Job: Listening to Readers

The best part of my week is reading time. At break and lunchtime, children come to see me and read me their books, and I am, if I say so myself, an outstanding listener.

I never mind if you get a word wrong. I don’t sigh, I don’t correct you and I never tell you to sound it out again. I just settle down next to you and listen, and if it’s a really good story I might rest my chin on your knee.

My mum – you’ll know her as Mrs Reynecke-Raybould – tells me this helps children feel braver about reading out loud, which makes me very proud. I also give out stickers, and every Friday in Celebration Assembly someone gets the Pawsome Reader certificate. There is usually a photograph in the newsletter. I always look my best.

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My Big Year

I won Dog of the Year 2025–2026. I don’t like to go on about it, but I did.

Our children and families voted for me, and then they chose their favourite photograph of me to be professionally printed and displayed in school. It hangs where everyone can see it, which feels about right.

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Come and Say Hello

If you’re visiting the school, do pop your head round the office door. I’ll be the one who is delighted to see you.

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The Serious Bit – from Mrs Reynecke-Raybould

Jaffle is a much-loved part of our school family, and we know that having a dog in school is something parents rightly want to ask questions about. I am Jaffle’s owner as well as Ashdon’s Headteacher, so I am accountable for him both at home and at school. Here is how we keep everybody safe, comfortable and well informed.

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Training and temperament

Jaffle has completed training specifically for working around children, and I continue his training and socialisation. His temperament was assessed as calm and friendly before he ever set foot in school, and it is kept under review.

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Supervision

Jaffle is accompanied by me, or by another named adult handler, at all times. He is never left alone with a pupil or a group of pupils under any circumstances, and all interactions are supervised by a responsible adult. Children are taught how to approach and handle him safely.

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Where Jaffle goes – and where he doesn’t

Jaffle is based in the Headteacher’s office and is not permitted in classrooms during lessons. The following are permanent dog-free zones: all classrooms, the dining area, the library and the IT suite. This means any child or member of staff who would rather avoid contact with him can do so easily throughout the school day.

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Allergies

We take allergies seriously. Families are asked to declare any dog allergy on admission and again at the start of each academic year. Where a pupil has a declared dog allergy, we draw up an individual Dog Allergy Management Plan with the family, setting out exactly what is in place for that child. An anonymised example is published below so you can see what one looks like.

Alongside this, we have air purification in areas where Jaffle is present, enhanced cleaning, regular grooming to reduce dander, and handwashing facilities beside every area he uses. Emergency medication is accessible for any pupil with a known severe allergy, and staff are briefed on individual allergy profiles.

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Children who would rather not

No child and no member of staff is ever required or encouraged to interact with Jaffle. If your child is anxious around dogs, please tell us – we will note it, plan around it and make sure a familiar adult is on hand. Alternative reading activities are always available.

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Taking part in reading sessions

From September 2026 we operate an opt-out arrangement rather than a consent slip. Your child may take part in supervised reading sessions with Jaffle unless you tell us you would rather they did not. You don’t need to return anything if you’re happy for your child to take part.

If you would prefer your child not to read to Jaffle, please tell the school office – by email, on the reply slip in our annual information letter, or simply in person. No reason is needed and none will be asked for. You can change your mind at any point in the year, in either direction.

Children who don’t take part are offered an alternative reading activity at the same time, presented in exactly the same way as any other reading choice, so that no child is singled out.

We write to every family about this each September, and we ask new families directly when their child joins.

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Health and hygiene

Jaffle’s vaccinations, flea and worm treatments are kept fully up to date and his records are held in school. He has regular veterinary health checks and does not come into school if he is unwell. Children wash their hands before and after any contact with him.

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Insurance

Jaffle is insured, including third-party public liability cover. His insurer has been informed of, and has acknowledged, his attendance at school. The documentation is held in school and is available on request.

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Jaffle’s own welfare

Jaffle attends four days a week to protect his rest and routine. He has a quiet, comfortable space of his own, fresh water at all times, and he is always free to withdraw from an interaction. Staff are trained to recognise signs of stress in a dog and to respond straight away.

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Risk assessment

A full risk assessment covering all of the above was reviewed and approved by our Full Governing Body on 22nd October 2025. It is reviewed annually, and sooner following any incident or significant change. You can download it below.

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Documents to download

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What our families told us

In July 2025 we asked families what difference Jaffle had made. Eighteen families replied, and every single one rated the programme excellent and told us they had no concerns about it.

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Some of the other things families told us:

• Every family said their child talks about Jaffle at home.

• Sixteen of the eighteen children had read to Jaffle; most of the rest wanted a turn.

• Fifteen of the seventeen who answered said their child asks about reading to him or spending time with him.

• Eleven families said their child had become more positive about reading since Jaffle joined.

• Two families told us their child had been frightened of dogs before Jaffle, and is much less so now.

The comments were the part we valued most. One parent wrote that their child had been so frightened of dogs that visiting relatives who owned one was impossible, and that this has changed completely. Another told us that reading to Jaffle had helped their child settle after moving schools. Several asked, very reasonably, for a clearer explanation of how children get their turn – something we have since addressed.

We will run the survey again and publish the report here. 

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Contact Us

If you have any questions about Jaffle, our reading programme, or anything to do with allergies or anxiety around dogs, please contact the school office on 01799 584219 or admin@ashdon.essex.sch.uk. We are always happy to talk it through.