Every dog has its day - and now a recently-promoted pooch is helping children at a pair of Norfolk schools.

Lily, a three-year-old Cockapoo, has been appointed school dog for The Ark Federation as she now shares her time between Peterhouse Church of England Primary School in Gorleston and Moorlands Church of England Primary School in Belton.

Coinciding with her promotion, Lily has launched two new initiatives.

The School Dog Blog, which can be found at http://www.theark.dneat.org/school-dog/, is where Lily, with some human help, writes a blog post after each visit to let the families know what she has been up to.

As she finds typing tricky, she is currently searching for Year 5 and 6 co-writers in each school.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Lily the Cockapoo has been promoted to school dog for the Ark Federation. Lily the Cockapoo has been promoted to school dog for the Ark Federation. (Image: The Ark Federation)

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With ‘Paw'fect Work, meanwhile, Lily has splashed out - her own money of course - on some personalised stickers.

Class teachers will be sending children to show Lily their best work in exchange for a sticker and a photograph of their work featuring in the blog post for that day.

Since the beginning of the new term, Lily has begun visits to Moorlands for short periods of time to get used to the children, staff and surroundings and has settled in well to her new role.

Ryan Freeman, executive headteacher of The Ark Federation, said: “Lily is an important member of our school team. 

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Great Yarmouth Mercury: Lily the Cockapoo is now sharing her time between Peterhouse Church of England Primary School in Gorleston Moorlands Church of England Primary School in Belton. Lily the Cockapoo is now sharing her time between Peterhouse Church of England Primary School in Gorleston Moorlands Church of England Primary School in Belton. (Image: The Ark Federation)

"The staff love having Lily in school. We get people coming down throughout the day to see her or offer to take her for a walk. She is definitely a good aide for well-being.”

Mr Freeman said the schools have a high number of vulnerable children and Lily has proved to be a fantastic way to break down barriers.

"She has helped school refusers to get into the building, withdrawn children to smile and talk, and helps to calm children at times when they have become disregulated," he said.