Reel Education is continuing to grow from strength to strength teaching youngsters in schools the link between the Environment, Nature and Angling

Over the last 12 months, Otterhampton Primary School has been engaging in the Angling Trust’s Reel Education programme. The children were so keen to go fishing that a Get Fishing after school club was set up in partnership with local Angling Trust Officers, Dean Asplin and Neil Wylie, to offer a chance to try fishing for ‘REEL’!

The children had loads of fun, caught lots of fish and it was a privilege to witness their confidence and smiles grow! They all earned Bronze, Silver and finally Gold Get Fishing Awards.

A huge thank you goes to Bridgwater Angling Association who kindly offered their Combwich match lake for free which was a 10 minute walk from the school. The Angling club are also generously offering free junior tickets to all the juniors from June 2025!

The Reel Education project is a Free primary school resource that has been developed by the Angling Trust and Shakespeare Fishing Tackle. Lesson plans and activities have been created by teachers, for teachers and are linked to the national framework.

With a focus on Art, Maths & Science in curriculum-based activities as well as P.E and games led by licensed Angling Trust coaches the all-encompassing Reel Education resource demonstrates the link between Environment, Nature and Angling.

Not only does Reel Education teach youngsters the importance and value of our rivers, lakes and seas, but it aims to introduce pupils to the outdoors and provide a lifelong connection to all the educational, health and wellbeing benefits that the wonderful world of angling brings to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Reel Education aims to offer every pupil who engages in the project an opportunity to try fishing for free or at a low cost in their area. Our Reel Education delivery team are thoroughly background and DBS checked and we have everybody’s safeguarding at the forefront when we visit and communicate appropriately with children at KS1 and KS2 stages of their education. Helping young people get outdoors, into nature and to provide a distraction from social issues such as anti-social behaviour, drug, knife and gang related crime are all becoming more widely recognised as the positive outcomes of simply spending time fishing.

Reel Education will come in to the school and run a full day of exercises, activities and lesson plans that can lead to next-steps follow-up attendance at optional, fishing events run by the Angling Trust all over England.

If you are a schoolteacher, education worker or parent who is interested in having a Reel Education programme at your school or facility, please contact us via the contact details or contact form at www.anglingtrust.net/get-involved/reel-education

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.