Fishing 4 Schools inspires youngsters in Kent

The Countryside Alliance's Fishing 4 Schools programme ran an inspiring session for pupils from Orchard School at Marshside Fishery near Canterbury on Friday 11^th December. Local MP Julian Brazier was in attendance at the day which was run by fishing coach Kevin Durman and Fishing 4 Schools National Director Charles Jardine.

Fishing 4 Schools is a unique programme run by The Countryside Alliance Foundation which exists to teach young people the unique skills of fly fishing and offer them a gateway into the natural world. Run by world famous angler Charles Jardine and his dedicated team, the mission is simple – to educate and enhance young lives. The programme offers a short-course for children, often with special educational needs, between the ages of 14 and 16 who often find academic work particularly difficult but respond well to alternative learning.

Orchard School is a Community Special School which is currently working with Fishing 4 Schools . The school supports 80 pupils who have behaviour and learning difficulties. It caters for both primary and secondary aged pupils. The pupils at the Fishing 4 Schools session on Friday were aged between 10 and 12 and six pupils took part.

Fishing 4 Schools Director Charles Jardine commented: "In almost a decade of activity within the national school sector, The Countryside Alliance Foundation's Fishing 4 Schools initiative has amassed an enviable reputation of delivery to children of all abilities; but especially those that are perceived as having learning disabilities. The combination of a quiet, engrossing pastime, set in tranquil surroundings, punctuated by the electric excitement of catching fish, has enabled all manner of educational areas be touched upon and expanded in a classroom setting in a real and tangible way. There is evidenced educational worth in what we do."