NEW BLOG: Reeling in education – fishing in school lessons on the Isle of Wight

Blog Post: By Dean Asplin, Angling Development Manager (South and South West), Angling Trust

As an avid angler and passionate advocate for outdoor education, I am excited to share some good news from the Isle of Wight where Dover Park Primary School, in Ryde has taken a significant step forward by incorporating fishing into the curriculum, thanks to the support of the Angling Trust’s Reel Education and Get Fishing programmes.

Fishing is more than just a hobby; it is a valuable life skill that teaches patience, perseverance, and respect for nature. By integrating angling into the school’s educational framework Via our Reel Education project, we’ve been able to help provide students with hands-on learning experiences that extend beyond traditional classroom settings. Working with the school’s sports coach Yvette Henry, and Headteacher Mr Jon Kirby, we’ve managed to use the fishing to enhance pupils’ educational journeys at Dover Park Primary School.

Our recent fishing trip with the school to Ryde Pier was a resounding success. The students were eager to learn and participate, demonstrating remarkable enthusiasm and curiosity. It was heartwarming to see them engage with the natural environment, develop new skills, and build lasting memories.

Simply going fishing has such a unique way of bringing people together, calming the mind and increasing one’s mental health and wellbeing. This was evident on the day, with a genuinely cooperative atmosphere where everybody gelled together via the fishing activity.

Being able to support the new licenced angling coaches of the Isle of Wight to deliver ‘Reel Education’ and Get Fishing sessions to children and families across the Island in the school setting, is an amazing step forward. My colleague Neil Wylie is the Angling Trust’s Reel Education manager for the South of England and came to the Isle of Wight and Dover Park Primary School to deliver the Reel Education programme. Neil told me “To be able to connect children who experienced fishing in the playground to actually come fishing on Ryde Pier just the very next day was amazing and just shows how simple it is to get into fishing at an early age. I look forward to supporting Dover Park School and others across the Isle of Wight in their angling journey from the classroom to the waterside.”

The benefits of including fishing in our curriculum are manifold. It promotes physical activity, enhances mental well-being, and fosters a sense of community among students. Moreover, it provides an excellent opportunity for interdisciplinary learning as students apply concepts from science, mathematics, and environmental studies in real-world contexts.

The Angling Trust’s “Get Fishing” Team connected Dover Park Primary staff with its local angling Club – Vectis Fishing Club – who received our Level 2 Lead coach training and certification them to safely run fishing sessions for school pupils. This not only facilitates education in the related to the outdoors and underwater environments, but it also gives children a meaningful purpose to interact with their environment learning opportunities and a chance to explore the great outdoors.

The last word must go to Dover Park Primary Headteacher Jon Kirby who fed back that “There are so many incredible links to mental health and wellbeing through fishing, and we’re excited to be adding this fantastic sport into our curriculum. The children have loved the sessions, and we’re extremely grateful to the Angling Trust for their training and expert guidance and to Vectis Fishing Club for their support.”

Neil and I look forward to continuing this journey and witnessing the positive impact it will have on the students’ lives. Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this exciting adventure!

Caption: Students enjoying their first fishing lesson on the Isle of Wight. Image Description: The image shows a group of children standing together on what appears to be a pier or dock by the water with several adults accompanying them. They are holding fishing rods and wearing bright safety vests while smiling at the camera against a backdrop of water and distant shoreline buildings.

The Get Fishing campaign is funded by

The Angling Trust’s Get Fishing campaign to get more people fishing more often is funded by the Environment Agency from fishing licence income as part of the National Angling Strategic Services contract with the Angling Trust, and Sport England. Children under 13 do not need a licence, and licences for children aged between 13 and 16 are free but you still need to register and receive a licence before you go fishing. You can get a licence for the full year, for 8 days (ideal for holidays!) or just a day’s fishing.

NOTE: Although young children who are under 13 year old do not need a licence to fish, the person supervising them needs to have the proper fishing licence before they take hold of the fishing rod or help the child fish with it.

Get Fishing is Proudly Supported by

The Angling Trust’s ‘Get Fishing’ campaign is proudly supported by
Shakespeare, Exclusive Tackle Partner and Angling Direct, Exclusive Retail Partner
as we all work towards getting more people fishing, more often.

If there’s something that you cannot find here to help you start fishing or return to angling, please contact your local Regional Angling Development Officer – you can find the nearest one to where you want to go fishing here.

Notes for Editors:

1. The Angling Trust’s Reel Education programme aims to integrate angling into school curriculums across the UK.
2. The Get Fishing programme encourages people of all ages to take up fishing as a recreational activity. Want to get involved? Contact the Participation Team at the Angling Trust
3. The Angling Trust’s Participation Team are funded by the Environment Agency and Sport England to get more people fishing, more often. We organise angling participation events and liaise with angling clubs and fisheries to improve facilities for fishing. We promote participation in angling, particularly to under-represented groups and those from deprived backgrounds as well as organising national and international competitions.
4. Dover Park Primary School, Ryde, Isle of Wight PO33 2BN 01983 562617

Schools interested in getting involved with the Reel Education programme can follow these steps:

1. Visit the Angling Trust Website: Go to the Reel Education page on the Angling Trust website to learn more about the programme and its benefits [1].
2. Contact Regional Coordinators: Reach out to the designated school initiators for your region. For schools in the North of England, contact Chris Holden at chris.holden@anglingtrust.net. For schools in the South, contact Neil Wylie at neil.wylie@anglingtrust.net [2].
3. Book a Session: Arrange for the Angling Trust to visit your school. They provide all necessary learning materials, including lesson plans, activities, and exercises in subjects like Science, Maths, and Art [1].
4. Participate in Activities: Engage students in both in-class and outdoor activities led by qualified angling coaches. These activities are designed to inspire interest in the outdoors and environmental stewardship [1].
5. Utilize Resources: Make use of the downloadable resources and lesson plans available on the Angling Trust website to integrate angling into your curriculum [2].

By following these steps, schools can provide students with unique, hands-on learning experiences that promote physical activity, mental well-being, and environmental awareness. More details.

Fishing offers numerous benefits for kids, both physically and mentally. Here are some key advantages:

1. Physical Exercise: Fishing involves activities like casting, reeling, and sometimes hiking to find the perfect spot, promoting physical fitness [3].
2. Mental Well-being: The calming nature of fishing helps reduce stress and anxiety, providing a tranquil escape from the fast-paced world [4].
3. Patience and Focus: Waiting for a fish to bite teaches kids patience, focus, and concentration, skills that are valuable in many aspects of life [4].
4. Environmental Awareness: Fishing fosters a connection with nature, helping kids appreciate and respect the environment [4].
5. Social Skills: Fishing often involves teamwork and communication, enhancing social skills and building relationships [3].
6. Confidence Building: Successfully catching fish boosts self-confidence and independence [5].

References:
[1] Reel Education – Angling Trust
[2] All about the Reel Education schools’ content by teachers for teachers …
[3] The Ultimate Guide to Fishing with Kids
[4] Reeling in the Benefits: Why Fishing Is Great for Kids
[5] 10 Benefits of Fishing – Mommy University