Border collie helps children read

Tom the Border Collie met Whitehawk pupils on his first school visit

A border collie that inspired a book of stories and pictures has been helping primary school children in Brighton learn to read.

Tom the collie was taken into Whitehawk primary so that pupils would see he was real, and would want to read about him.

His owner, Trish Adams, is a literacy teacher who compiled a book of stories and pictures about her pet.

She said letting pupils meet Tom would make stories "more meaningful" and keep them "interested and enthusiastic".

Brighton Council said Whitehawk primary did a lot of work to support pupils who had difficulties with learning to read and write.

"Innovative and lovely"

The school receives help from the city's Children and Young People's Trust's Language and Literacy Support Service.

Councillor Vanessa Brown said the authority wanted children to "make the most of their time at school" and this was an "innovative and lovely way" to help pupils who needed extra support.

Ms Adamas, a teacher with the support service, said Tom's trip to Whitehawk primary was his first school visit.

Her booklet about Tom has also been turned into an electronic version using an educational software programme for computers.

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