Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI)
At St Paul’s, our vision of Learning in God’s Love shapes everything we do. We are committed to giving every child the care, encouragement and opportunities they need to flourish. Our Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) programme is one of the ways we bring this vision to life.
Central to this is our very own Nurture Farm, based right here on site. Children have daily opportunities to interact with a wide range of animals – from chickens and guinea pigs to rabbits, tortoises, birds in our aviary, and even reptiles including a bearded dragon and a snake. Each animal brings a unique way for children to learn responsibility, develop empathy and find calm in the rhythm of care. To further enrich these experiences, we are planning to introduce goats, which will give children the chance to engage with larger animals in a safe, structured environment.
Our values are at the heart of this approach:
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Courage – Children build the confidence to try new experiences and overcome challenges.
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Compassion – Interacting with animals encourages empathy, kindness and emotional awareness.
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Community – Caring for animals together fosters responsibility, teamwork and shared joy.
We are also proud to be working in partnership with Elysian, specialists in therapeutic interventions with animals, who share our belief in the power of nature and connection to transform lives.
Through AAI and our Nurture Farm, we help children to feel secure, valued and ready to learn. It is another way we ensure that every child grows in resilience, love and hope – fully supported on their journey of Learning in God’s Love.