Every school has a memorable icon that students and staff remember fondly. At Leweston, the dog‑friendly Dorset independent school, that icon is cocker spaniel Arthur Leweston. One of the Headmaster’s two spaniels, Arthur is a beloved auburn‑coloured character known to everyone. He is our mascot, our counsellor, our sunshine seeker, our secret keeper, and the steady heartbeat of school life.
Born on the 26th of October 2017, Arthur became a firm favourite when he arrived at Leweston in January 2020, alongside his owner John upon his appointment as Headmaster. Living in the Headmaster’s on‑site house, Arthur divides his time between school life and home comforts. At home, he loves nothing more than curling up right beside the fire or “helping” with the recycling by stealing cardboard from the bins with great enthusiasm. In school, he can usually be found playing with his younger brother Charles around the Headmaster’s office or waiting adoringly at the door for sympathetic students or his owner, always in the hope of cuddles, fuss, and the kind of affection he seems to collect effortlessly.
Nicola, the Head’s EA, calls Arthur “my secret confidant. I can ask him questions and know he will always listen. I can have a hug if ever I need one and a quick chat every now and then when the office is quiet and we are alone.” He has even made international friends, having been proudly shown off via his dedicated Instagram page to people across the globe (@arthurleweston).
Outdoors, Arthur is in his element. He loves exploring the Leweston grounds and the surrounding Dorset farmland, usually on a lead as being a spaniel means he has a keen interest in the pheasants that roam here. However, a lead is not enough to stop him from charging through long grass and muddy puddles (his favourite thing), collecting twigs and leaves in the curly hair on his ears like accessories.
Arthur is exceptionally good at seeking out students who need cuddles and a play. This gift becomes especially valuable during exam season, when his magic is most visible: providing relief from the pressure and worry of revision and exams, offering a homely comfort to our international and boarding students, and acting as a good‑luck mascot whose presence alone seems to steady nerves. His impact on the school community is hard to overstate.
Despite his dramatic dislike of rain, Arthur loyally accompanies students on their Ten Tors training days, trotting through the drizzle with the stoicism of a seasoned adventurer and the air of a dog who knows he is doing something important. The weather can never stop a spaniel, although he would always prefer to sunbathe in the grass.
Arthur became a big brother in April 2024 to another cocker spaniel called Charles. Whilst Charles is a boisterous, attention‑seeking, young dog, Arthur contrasts him with his sweet‑natured, soft, loving and gentle temperament. Having spent several years at Leweston before Charles arrived, Arthur now shows his wisdom around him, taking on the role of patient mentor and guiding his little brother through the art of being a school dog: the dignified walk, the strategic sunbathing, the gentle listening, and the occasional secret mischief. Not that Charles always listens!
Arthur may not appear on the staff list, but everyone at Leweston knows the truth. He is part of the fabric of the school - a source of joy, comfort, and community spirit. A dog who doesn’t just belong to Leweston but defines it. Whether he is stretched out in a patch of sunlight, padding alongside students on a walk, or offering a moment of calm in a busy day, Arthur embodies everything Leweston values: kindness, loyalty, warmth, and a touch of mischief. He is quite simply, the soul of our school.
