School projects can be the enemy of students but when the prize is a day around Crufts, it’s inevitable that they will produce some terrific work.

And one primary school in Birmingham gave their students such an incentive on Thursday.

Robin Hood Academy in Hall Green teaches Mandarin Chinese to its students and with 2018 being the year of the Dog, staff saw an opportunity to set the kids a special challenge.

Children were encouraged to produce a project on the theme of China and dogs with the winning 12 students, from more than 100 entries, chosen as the lucky dozen to walk the halls of the NEC Arena learning about their favourite dogs.

And Simone Haughey, who teaches Mandarin across the years at the school, revealed the winning kids, who are aged from Years 3 to 6, have been giddy with anticipation ahead of their visit.

“They have been very excited – they just wanted to go and meet the dogs and got cuddles quite apart from anything else,” she said.

“Thursday is the Working group dog day and I really wanted them to find out that dogs can work and have jobs as well as be pets.

“We also raise money for Guide Dogs For the Blind – we’ve raised £600 for them as well.

“I did joke that the children can all take home free puppies but I don’t think the head teacher would be too pleased!”

An estimated 22,000 pooches will visit the NEC during the four-day event, with a record 3,623 four-legged-friends from 49 countries vying for the chance to win the coveted Best in Show.

Visitors can learn about 200 different breeds at the Discover Dogs zone, while crossbreeds will compete for the Scruffts crown and the Friends for

Life event reminds people about the truly inspiring and unique stories that show dogs at their absolute best.

And for Simone, the students will return to Hall Green with some very special memories.

“They’re going to go back and show the photographs and show the school they’ve been to Crufts,” she said. “We’ll put it on the blog, too.

“They love walking round and getting hands on with the dogs because that’s what they really, really want to do.

“One girl said she was really nervous and scared about dogs – I said ‘your mind will be changed today – you’ll meet loads of dogs and get rid of that fear’.”

Photo credit: Flick Digital