Helen Harris

Helen Harris retired from Tavistock College in July this year, after 40 years of teaching, but before she left the classroom for the last time, Kaye went to talk to her about her many roles, including one in particular with Shola, the college dog.

Originally from Northampton, Helen moved to Devon with her husband in 1982. She became a classroom teacher at Tavistock College in 1987, going on to teach law and latterly becoming head of the law department. Some of her favourite memories include taking a group of students to the Houses of Parliament to receive an inclusion award, which recognises the college’s commitment to provide the very best education for all children.

Helen has always enjoyed sharing her love of animals, and she developed and ran an animal care course, where children learnt about caring for the college rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, and even a pony, which Helen would bring in once a week. She taught a land-based studies course as well, which included studies in gardening, life-cycles, looking after animals and exploring careers such as working in pet shops, grooming, veterinary nursing and animal care. The students learned about business too, by selling the chickens’ eggs, along with other college-grown produce, and then reinvesting the profit into the project. Helen and teaching assistant, Jane Parker, jointly oversaw the management of the school orchard, assisted by students; harvested apples were pressed for juice and then sold at Tavistock Goose Fair or turned into delicious apple pies in the school kitchen.

One very special role for Helen has been that of introducing Shola, the college dog, now a beautiful one-year-old Irish setter. Shola was chosen on veterinary advice and introduced to the college during morning assembly, when she was just nine weeks old. Her name was then selected from over 300 suggestions from the students. Socialisation from an early age was vital, to ensure that she is very calm in an environment where she meets well over 100 people every day. Helen has overall responsibility for Shola, training her and exercising her twice a day, as well as developing her role in the college - to help with confidence and wellbeing for those children who may struggle with school, and especially for students who have particular needs. These students assist with Shola’s daily care and may accompany her around Tavistock, learning social skills as they meet other people with dogs.

Shola has a natural ability to sense when children are upset or in need and will instinctively go and sit beside them During exam season, students like to stroke her for good luck before sitting their exams, which also helps them to overcome any anxieties. Helen believes Shola is positively good for the children and that they all love her; she has also witnessed firsthand the evidence, claimed by current research, that stroking an animal reduces stress in humans – and when it’s time for Shola to unwind, she has a quiet bed in Helen’s office.

As we walked through the corridors at break-time, it was clear to see the effect Shola has on both students and staff. When they saw her, they inevitably smiled and Helen would stop and let them make a fuss of her, the advantages clearly working both ways - and Shola’s tail always wagging! There was a tangible feeling of calm and contentment and, as far as Shola is concerned, being in school is a normal day for her.

Tavistock College was one of the first schools to have a dog for this purpose and take the initiative to this level. In fact, Shola is an international star - a Plymouth newspaper reported the story when she was first introduced and it instantly went viral around the world, inspiring other schools to adopt the idea. Helen says it would simply not work without the encouragement of the college staff and particularly the principal, Sarah Jones, who is extremely supportive and keen for it to continue to be embedded into school life. This is indeed good news for everyone, as Helen still intends to bring Shola in for regular visits. She says: “Shola would miss it if she didn’t – it’s so much a part of her life.”

Helen now feels her career has come to a ‘natural end’ but considers herself fortunate, as she has always really enjoyed her work, which is evident from the animated way she talks about the children, her projects and achievements. Helen has many things planned for her retirement - she has recently become churchwarden at the church of St Michael de Rupe, Brentor, which will include managing large numbers of visitors from all over the world. In addition, she has a busy home life on her smallholding, looking after sheep, horses, dogs, cats and chickens. She is also very much looking forward to taking up riding again and enjoying her love of walking and reading, besides allowing time for Shola to do her good work and developing their very special partnership.

Kaye Rogers