Beech Hyde Guinea Pigs

Beech Hyde has four well being Guinea pigs........ Jane Austen, Marie Curie, Barbara Hepworth and Rosa Parks. 

There is much research surrounding the positive gains for children's well being and mental health when they care for animals. The guinea pigs are housed in a large hutch and run next to the Year 6 classroom. We have Guinea Pigs as they are more easily handled, if used to it from a young age. They are also social animals, so we can safely have a group. 

Year 6 are the main Guinea Pig carers - feeding, watering, cleaning out, and grooming the Guinea Pigs. They are supervised in this at all times by staff and trained in the handling and care of the pigs. Other pupils get to visit and handle the guinea pigs, under adult supervision. However, they are living creatures, and we can not control all their actions. Therefore, an agreement from parents/carers is needed before pupils can handle Guinea Pigs.