Fishing Out of the Box! A Bridgwater Schools Fishing Initiative.

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1 Fishing Out of the Box! A Bridgwater Schools Fishing Initiative. This project has been initiated through a partnership between the Sedgemoor Learning Alliance, Somerset Children s University, Safer Somerset South, The Environment Agency, the Angling Development Board and Fishwish Ltd. Over 100 children and 25 adults have taken part. Extended Schools in Bridgwater The Sedgemoor Learning Alliance (SLA), a partnership of over 30 schools and colleges in the Bridgwater area. It includes Bridgwater College, five secondary schools, two special schools, two Pupil Referral Units and seventeen primary schools. This large cluster is subdivided into four learning partnerships centred around Bridgwater secondary schools and their feeder primaries. These partnerships have been working since 2005 to raise aspiration and help enrich the learning experiences of the children and young people living in the locality. Mike King, Sedgemoor Learning Alliance Coordinator. We are working to raise attainment, self-esteem and aspiration among local families. We want to encourage young people and their families to try out a wide range of activities. Our work involves extending the breadth of experience of our young people. 1

2 The Somerset Children s University Bridgwater Faculty is part of the national Children s University movement which aims to provide seven to 14 year-olds with learning activities and experiences outside school hours. The Somerset project aims to offer over 80 modules of out of school hours learning to over 1,600 pupils across the area, in turn levering in funding from local businesses, trusts, Big Lottery, community safety, police, the district and town council and other local providers to expand the provision available so that more than 160 activities will eventually become available to 3,200 children and young people. We want to raise the aspirations of children and their parents by showing them how becoming a part of a Children s University can lead to lifetime enjoyment, increased selfesteem and qualifications, explains Mike King. In turn we hope that this will increase the likelihood that children from deprived backgrounds will see the potential of higher education and the knock-on benefits of better quality of life, career development and life enrichment. Children participate in accredited activities that will allow them to gain modules towards gaining bronze, silver and gold awards and the chance to take part in a prestigious graduation ceremony. Bridgwater is considered to be the most disadvantaged town in Somerset. It falls within the 10% of the most deprived areas in England and has been identified by the Government Office South West as being a Lower Super Output area. As such, Bridgwater is a focus for significant regeneration and redevelopment, most recently forming part of wave four of the Building Schools for the Future programme. The Children s University is working with a wide range of partners including the Environment Agency, Angling Development Board, Playing for Success, libraries, museums services, leisure centres, voluntary and statutory providers of activities for children and young people, local business partners, extended schools funding to increase the provision of activities and lead to sustainability for the university in the long-term. The university also uses high profile ambassadors, volunteers and patrons to promote the scheme to young people, including the High Sheriff of Somerset and local young role models such as World Champion Trampolinist, Laura Gallagher, Peter Trego from Somerset County Cricket Club and Charlotte Male from the Under 18 England Women s Rugby team. The introduction of the Children s University to the Bridgwater area has involved extensive consultation with children and young people and with potential providers in order to commission the organisations who would deliver the accredited activities. This has offered children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds access to high quality providers of activities. A wide range of activities have been made available, including boxing, fishing, biking, martial arts, dance, drama, sea cadets, brownies, basketball, surfing, sailing, St John Ambulance, singing, carnival, disability sports, extreme sports, horse-riding, art, music and many others. 2

3 Give It a Go! SLA was fortunate enough to become a pathfinder for the Extended Schools Disadvantage Subsidy Give it A Go! to help fund out of school hours learning for children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and in particular those eligible for free school meals and looked after. As a result SLA has benefitted from this fund has been able to commission a wide range of activities from sports and recreation and the arts fishing being a particularly popular one. Fishing - The Background There are several young people s angling projects around the country most looking at helping young people reduce their chances of becoming involved in crime or anti social behaviour. The Bridgwater project is unique in that it seeks to introduce angling to all children in the area regardless of their backgrounds and also to place it on the curriculum of schools, colleges and youth clubs. It introduces young people to the joys of fishing and the countryside and more importantly, helps them gain confidence and self esteem and allow them to learn in an informal and enjoyable way. Consultation Mike King co-ordinator of SLA conducted a range of consultations with young people to ascertain their interests a desire to go fishing and learn more about fishing, featured prominently. As a result he contacted the Bridgwater Angling Association to invite them to take part in the first Bridgwater Young People s Festival in a festival to celebrate the wide range of activities available to young people in their local area Fishing being one. The Angling Association is one of the largest angling clubs in the area but with a significantly low membership of young people 3

4 Learn to Fish Day. Contact was also made with Iain Turner at the Environment Agency and a partnership was formed between The Environment Agency, the Bridgwater Angling Association, the Angling Development Board, the Sedgemoor Learning Alliance and the Somerset Children s University. As a result the partnership held a free Learn to Fish Day. for children at school in the local Bridgwater area in June 2009 Seven Level 2 coaches from the Angling Development Board provided free coaching with all equipment all day for boys and girls from 5 18 years at the Dunwear Ponds near Bridgwater. Families were able to book individual lessons for their sons and daughters to try a variety of coarse fishing methods. Despite a damp wet day - over 70 boys and girls were able to participate in this hugely successful day. Many caught a fish for the very first time and went home thrilled with their achievements plus with a free gift of a whip rod from the Environment Agency to encourage them to continue with the sport. Parents of the children, including many single parent women expressed real enthusiasm for the project I could never take my son fishing because I ve never fished myself, nor could I show him how to or have the confidence! Iain Turner, the Environment Agencies Fisheries Technical Officer said that the day has been a great success once you hook a fish you re hooked for life! Mike King representing local schools in the Sedgemoor Learning Alliance thanked the Environment Agency, the Bridgwater Angling Association and the Angling Development Board for providing this fantastic free day for our school children we d love you to do it again next year! Pictured here is Freddie aged 4 from Stockland, a future pupil of Otterhampton School, with Charlie Halliday an Angling Development Board level 2 coach and managing director of Fishwish. 4

5 An Introductory Bridgwater Fishing Pilot Funding was made available from SLA for Charlie Halliday from Fishwish to set up an introductory fishing pilot at Re-Creation Youth Centre in the Hamp area of Bridgwater in Somerset. Nearly all of the fourteen young anglers that took part had existing, but uncelebrated skills and knowledge relating to angling. Over the subsequent eight weeks, they developed their understanding through practical sessions on fish behaviour, fish welfare, weather systems, specialist angling techniques and water craft. Two of them went on to sit an exam and gain a nationally recognised Kingfisher Award in angling. The enthusiasm displayed during these dark cold evenings proved the enormous benefits that outdoor learning has on young people. Les Riddle Recreation Youth Worker described the course as Brilliant the kids enjoyed it all we want to put on more fishing courses here. Charlie was great they are not the sort of young people that take readily to education and they loved it! Otterhampton Primary After School Fishing Club With the first successful pilot under our belts we set up an after-school fishing club at Otterhampton Primary. All eleven of the pupils that signed up elected to complete the course during the weeks that ensued. Activities included setting up whips, wagglers and tackle; casting accuracy and distance; ground bait mixing; catapult practice and maggot racing! The children really enjoyed it, but staff shortages and a late start to spring have delayed their ceremonial fishing initiation day at Combwich Ponds. This will be supported by Bridgwater Angling Association who will be awarding the participants with a free annual membership, and starter kit. This course enabled youngsters to gain the Somerset Children s University first Fishing Module award! Bridgwater Angling Programmes Angling programmes from the Somerset Children s University are now running in four local schools in Bridgwater, including Robert Blake Science College, Elmwood Special School (For pupils with emotional and behavioural needs), Otterhampton Primary and Brymore School (An agricultural boys boarding school). The intention is to develop an angling curriculum for young people equivalent of GCSE and perhaps managed through exam boards like the ASDAN COPE awards. Give it A Go! funding from the SCU and the Family Learning Partnership has set up Free Family Fishing Courses during half-terms and holidays at the Bridgwater YMCA. This is aimed at children 5 13 years or older and their mothers, fathers, grandparents or carers who accompany them. The idea is to have fun learning to fish together. Involvement of family members in their child s education is crucial to their success. Contact has been made with Jeremy Kerswell head of Cannington Centre of Land Based Studies (Bridgwater College) and it is anticipated that the college will launch two new and exciting diplomas in Fish Husbandry and Fisheries Management, which are scheduled to commence from September A comprehensive learning pathway is now in place for Bridgwater s talented and enthusiastic anglers. 132 children between the ages of 5 and 16 years and 25 adults have taken part in this initiative so far. 5

6 Partnerships Dean Sandford - South West Regional co-ordinator from the Angling Development Board has been involved with the project from the outset and is working hard to create links between local angling clubs and this Bridgwater schools fishing initiative. It is anticipated that recently qualified coaches from the Bridgwater Angling Association will be able to support the project and create links and pathways through schools and youth clubs to this very popular club. The Bridgwater Angling Association who are supporting the activities through the provision of free venue access and membership to those that complete a full course. The Environment Agency provides free rod licence cover during mentored practice sessions, and a number of other angling related organisations are beginning to show an interest in building on the success so far. Charlie Halliday is the Director of Fishwish and is leading various programmes and coaching activities in the area under the financial support of the Sedgemoor Learning Alliance. He is licensed by the Angling Development Board and coaches on behalf of various clubs. Safer Somerset South and Give it a Go! have provided funding to help initiate this project. Cannington Centre of Land Based Studies (Bridgwater College) Case Studies Ben is in Year 14, but he is already an experienced angler. Based at Robert Blake secondary school, he is taking part in an after-school angling club. He enjoys getting involved with the practical workshop and angling activities, but he is also working towards an accredited qualification in Angling and the Environment. He is aiming for a Level 2; the equivalent to an A-C grade GCSE and he recently commented some of us take our fishing seriously, and I m now thinking about becoming a professional fishing coach Participants from the other schools have suggested similar angling aspirations and a few have already began to develop their skills in preparation for gaining qualifications in angling, coaching and sports leadership awards. Around eighty percent of anglers in the UK go fishing for the social benefits. Jack is five years old and has been attending the Family Learning fishing days at YMCA with his Dad on Saturdays. He took great pride in catching six fish in front of his Dad, before offering his spot up to others that were having less success. He stated my dad casts the furthest, but I can cast out far as well now. George attends the Saturdays with his mum Sue and said I tried fishing once and really liked it, but I haven t had anyone in the family to show me how to do it properly. 6

7 Plans for the Future We have ambitious plans for the future that include: More fishing taster sessions for school aged children in the Bridgwater Area Family Learning Fishing Courses Involvement with Penrose and Elmwood Special schools to involve children with additional educational needs opportunities to learn about fishing. Increased links with the Cannington Centre of Land Based Studies (Bridgwater College) - diplomas in Fish Husbandry and Fisheries Management Increased links with the Bridgwater Angling Association Partnership funding from a variety of organisations including the Environment Agency, Avon and Somerset Police, Safer Somerset South etc. Introduction of fishing to the Secondary schools GCSE curriculum ASDAN COPE. National recognition for the project in the media. Introductory courses for young people in fly fishing Introductory courses for young people in sea fishing To explore future links with the recently established South Somerset Angling Development Group. This is an Angling Development Board initiative which aims to build a sustainable angling infra-structure and support network within the county. (Please contact Dean Sandford for further information dean.sandford@anglingdevelopmentboard.org.uk) Continued working relationship with the Angling Trust (the National Governing Body for the sport of Angling within England) via their development arm the Angling Development Board. 7