Building Empathy, one classroom at a time
At the Bermuda SPCA, our mission is to promote kindness and prevent cruelty to animals through education. Our Compassionate Class program brings this mission to life in classrooms by helping children build empathy, emotional intelligence, and social awareness — all essential to their personal development.
What is Compassionate Class?
Adapted from the UK’s RSPCA model, this free, six-week program is led by a qualified teacher and delivered to Key Stage 2 students (ages 7–11) in public and private schools. Interactive and discussion-based, each lesson encourages students to think critically, consider others’ needs, and explore how their actions affect both animals and people.
Why it matters for children’s growth:
- Fosters emotional literacy and compassion, key traits for lifelong wellbeing
- Builds critical thinking and ethical reasoning through real-world scenarios
- Encourages respect, responsibility, and connection with the natural world
- Reinforces positive social behaviors that extend into homes and communities
Research and experience show that children who learn empathy and care for animals are more likely to grow into compassionate, thoughtful adults. By shaping how children view and treat animals, we are also nurturing the next generation of kind, responsible citizens.
Programme Highlights:
- Pre/post assessments measure growth in understanding
- Students complete meaningful projects tied to academic subjects
- Opportunities for school visits with local farms, shelters, and animal professionals
Get Involved:
To nominate a school or sponsor the program, please contact Kamala Strickland at education@spca.bm. Together, we can create lasting change — one compassionate classroom at a time.
