School uses classical music to calm animals

The school started this practice during lambing season earlier this year

Staff and children at a school in Kent are keeping their animals calm this fireworks season with the help of classical music.

Hadlow Rural Community School houses animals such as goats, ducks, chickens, alpacas, snakes and a small flock of sheep as the school teaches land-based studies in its curriculum.

The school is backing the RSPCA's Kind Sparks fireworks campaign as it takes measures to keep all of their animals safe.

Anna Chaile, head of land-based studies at the school, said: "We always take extra special care of our animals during the fireworks season."

The school first used this method during the 2025 lambing season, and will be continuing it throughout this week as Bonfire Night celebrations take place.

Ms Chaile said: "We get them in from the paddocks before it gets dark so they are safely contained indoors before the fireworks start.

"We play Classic FM's Pet show, as classical music has been shown to help keep animals calm."

Hadlow Rural Community School is thought to be the only non-selective secondary school in the UK where all students are taught land-based studies as part of the curriculum, alongside a focus on sciences.

According to Ms Chaile, the students are taught the needs of various animals and how to spot them, as well as the importance of animal welfare.

"That is why we are supporting the RSPCA campaign to encourage people to let their neighbours know if they plan to have fireworks so they take steps to protect their animals."