Young people reel in awards at parliamentary reception

On Tuesday (October 14), Fishing for Schools, a Countryside Alliance educational programme, were delighted to welcome young people, instructors and MPs to a reception in Parliament that celebrated the achievements of this year’s Fishing for Schools programme.

The event, kindly hosted by Jessica Morden MP (Newport East), was very well attended, with representatives from nearly twenty different schools and numerous MPs turning up to witness young people being given their awards.

The reception celebrated young people from an entire cross section of English and Welsh schools who have taken part in this year’s programme: a purpose-designed suite of sessions which takes young people (some with profound difficulties in coping with the conventional school programme) into a world of angling, the natural world and the importance of persevering the environs where the activities take place.

Speaking at the event, Jessica Morden MP praised the programme:

“I know, just from my experience with Alway School in my constituency, just how much the children really value the experience they have had. They get the opportunity, particularly if they find the traditional classroom environment difficult to cope with, to go out and they have a wondrous time.

“It’s not just about learning to fish. It is about learning to fish, but it’s also about teamwork, camaraderie and problem solving, and being out in nature. It’s a fantastic scheme.”

Fishing for Schools connects with hundreds of young people annually. Using a blend of outdoor learning and classroom-based activities, it uses fishing as a platform to develop a wide range of life skills, including communication, teamwork, problem solving and resilience.

A further exciting update in the Fishing for Schools campaign was also highlighted at the reception, with Charles Jardine, Director of Fishing for Schools, announcing the launch of a portfolio of new qualifications by The Countryside Alliance Foundation (TCAF). 

Launched through TCAF’s award-winning Fishing for Schools programme, the Ofqual-regulated qualifications, named “Angling and Countryside”, will help young people develop practical skills, confidence, and pathways into further education and employment.

Charles Jardine, Director of Fishing for Schools, stated: 

“The Angling and Countryside qualification is the first ever qualification of its kind. It will make a real difference, because the people that always were thought of as not being able to highly achieve, will be able to achieve - and Fishing for Schools is about people achieving. 

“This course and qualification will provide children with a range of practical, transferable skills that will pave the way for a career in angling- a huge global industry with massive opportunities- and beyond the industry too.” 

Thanks to our dedicated instructors and many generous supporters, Fishing for Schools has benefitted 4,500 disadvantaged young people at 170 schools over the last 18 years. We look forward to welcoming many new schools in the coming year.