Our guests, Penny, Kim, and Kim's guide dog, Sugar, spent an hour with the pupils, offering a fascinating insight into the incredible work of the charity.

The session began with an engaging presentation where pupils learnt how guide dogs are carefully selected as puppies, undergo rigorous training, and are carefully matched with their future owners. Our pupils were invited to consider the key challenges faced by individuals with sight loss, and heard how these specially trained dogs offer invaluable support, ensuring greater independence and mobility for their owners.

Kim, who herself lives with sight loss, shared her personal journey and the life-changing impact Sugar has had on her day-to-day activities. From walking through busy streets to accessing public transport, Kim explained how Sugar’s presence makes all the difference. The extraordinary bond between Kim and Sugar was clear for all to see.

The visit also gave the pupils a hands-on experience with Braille books. Handling the raised dot patterns helped them gain an understanding of how the visually impaired read and communicate. 

The highlight of the afternoon, without a doubt, was when the pupils were invited to give Sugar some well-deserved attention. After being impeccably behaved throughout the session (even catching a quick nap), Sugar was more than happy to receive plenty of affection from her new fans.

As a follow-up to this inspiring visit, Year 9 will be running a series of fundraising activities in support of Guide Dogs UK. Keep an eye out for more information in the coming weeks.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Penny, Kim, and, of course, Sugar, for a wonderful educational visit, and we hope they will return to visit us again soon.