Information for Teachers.

Fiona Boyom of Mouswald Primary School said “The whole project was very structured and informative from the start. Super Power Point presentations backed up with real practical sessions on plant life and pond creatures/fish. The children always looked forward to the lessons and were motivated throughout. Safety was always foremost and the instructors had a great rapport with the children. I would recommend this project to other schools as it is beneficial in so many ways”.

What do the sessions involve?

Fishing for Knowledge is not just about fishing, we hope to make the children more aware of their environment and the problems caused by pollution, fly tipping and leaving litter we try to instill a caring attitude towards the environment and to other users of that environment.

All of the sessions are designed to build both knowledge and anticipation; they improve not just participants angling skills but also knowledge of their local environment, its history, geography, geology, climate, and hydrology. During all the sessions safety of the participants is paramount, they learn about the dangers of the waterside, are introduced to safe casting techniques and glasses are provided to protect eyes whilst fishing and casting. All instructors carry safety lines and during pond dipping and fishing sessions 3 instructors supervise the sessions.

We don’t see the sessions as merely learning how to catch fish but rather as using angling as the impetus to educate and increase enjoyment whilst at the same time introducing the concept of caring for the environment and respecting the needs of other users of that environment.

We usually try to (if it fits in with school timetables); visit your school one day per week for 6 weeks to deliver each classroom based session (sessions 1, 2, 4 & 5) to classes. Because we bring tanks of invertebrates, fish, fishing tackle etc., into school for these sessions if you have a hall or larger classroom that we could use for the day and each participating class visit that classroom for that session rather than us having to move equipment it would make things easier for us.

Sessions 1 & 2 (both classroom based), start with a Power Point presentation and as well as covering some of the water cycle and your local river catchments we introduce participants to freshwater life by bringing plants,  invertebrates and small fish into the classroom.

Session 3 is a nature studies and pond dipping field trip looking at either a local river, stream or pond before doing some pond or stream dipping, however if there is no safe and suitable venue close (within walking distance) of your school, transport to a safe suitable local venue would have to be arranged.

Sessions 4 & 5 (both school based), start with a short Power Point presentation and introduce participants to the history of angling, angling’s contribution to the economy and fishing tackle improving their knowledge of tackle, tactics and casting skills with rods in the classroom, school hall or on the playing field.

Session 6 is a fishing trip and depending upon numbers, participants are split into groups which rotate throughout the session ensuring all the participants try fishing as well as taking part in a casting competition. Once again if there is no safe and suitable venue close (within walking distance) of your school, transport to a safe suitable local venue would have to be arranged.

Borderlines experienced staff can alter content and delivery to suit all ages and ability’s and this programme is particularly suitable for early years to the end of S3. The programme includes many curriculum areas and subjects and Borderlines staff can place particular emphasis on subjects already covered in the classroom to reinforce classroom learning around different contexts and experiences, making better connections across learning and we welcome input from teachers with regard to this.

Whilst in the majority of cases we deliver the programme to schools over a period of 6 weeks this does not necessarily have to be the case we can in some case’s change the delivery to suit your needs. However we hope you can also be as flexible as possible as we do have to tie in with other schools in the area.

Contact Chris Bowman to discuss your own school’s particular needs or requirements. If you have any questions or queries don't hesitate to get in touch with Chris and please don't feel restricted to office hours.

How long does each session last?

The actual length of the session may depend upon the age and ability of the participants and the numbers taking part. Start and finish times of the sessions can be altered slightly to tie in with break times and dinner hours. Borderlines staff can be flexible to suit different circumstances but generally speaking allow a minimum of one hour for school sessions and a minimum of two hours for the field trips.

What does the school need to provide?

Most of the school sessions start with a Power Point presentation, so some means of delivering this would assist us, smart board, computer, projector.

For Sessions 1 and 2 tanks of water, plants, freshwater invertebrates and fish are brought into school. To save time if more than one class from your school is taking part if we could set up in the school hall or a suitable classroom and each participating class come to us this would save time moving equipment, tanks of fish etc. It would also help if we could gain access to the hall or classroom some 30 minutes before the first session starts in order to set everything up.

The children will be working in three groups, each group working around a tank. If tables in the hall or classroom can be arranged to accommodate this, it will assist us. Tables for the tanks should be situated away from electrical sockets and paper towels should be available in case of slight spillages during the session.

During session 1 children will be getting hands on with freshwater invertebrates, netting them from the tank and transferring them to trays and magnifying tubs to identify them.

Teachers should warn children to cover any cuts and grazes on their hands with waterproof plasters prior to the session.

Weather permitting some of session 4 and most of session 5 will take place outdoors in the playground or on the playing field however should the weather be inclement casting practice can take place indoors, whilst this can take place in the classroom, a room with a high ceiling; a gym or hall will be less restrictive.

For sessions 3 and 6 children should also bring a clipboard, paper and pencils. Once again the children will be working in 3 groups and depending upon the venue, type of dipping or fishing being practiced each group may be taking part in different activities. We expect teachers to take an active roll in supervision of children. During session 6 not everyone will be casting or fishing at the same time, Borderlines staff will be occupied with those who are fishing or casting and whilst we will set group tasks, perhaps in the form of a quiz whilst children are awaiting their turn fishing or casting we expect staff to make sure they behave.

Borderlines will supply all pond dipping equipment, fishing equipment and
bait; all the children need to bring along is plenty of warm and waterproof
clothing, wellies or old footwear that parents will not mind children getting wet!

As soon as all the dates have been confirmed with schools the pond dipping and fishing venues will be chosen and risk assessed. Borderlines will then forward you copies of the risk assessments for those venues. An example is shown below. Borderlines will also provide and Ordinance Survey map grid reference and a link to a map showing the fishing or dipping location and will discuss directions to the site with teachers.

On the fishing and pond dipping days if the weather is really bad or river conditions unsuitable we will contact you as soon as possible on the day if we think we should cancel, for this reason it is a good idea to supply Chris with a mobile number as well as your school phone number. We do have a fall back plan that we can put into action in the hall or classroom should sessions 3 or 6 have to be cancelled.

Is transport provided?

Where possible Borderlines staff try to find safe and suitable dipping and fishing venues within safe walking distance of your school. This however may not always be possible if the school cannot provide its own transport it may in some cases (funding permitting) be possible to provide transport.

Risk Assessments.

Risk assessments are carried out for every venue, below is a typical example with the risk calculation explained.

Risk Assessment sheet example

Estimating the Level of Risk

The level of risk reflects the probability of harm being caused by the hazard and the degree of the severity of that harm, i.e. how many individuals will be affected and by how much.
The method used for calculating the risk level must allow higher-level risks to receive greater attention.

This can be achieved by comparing the level of risk on a range from 1 to 20 by multiplying a probability ranking by a severity ranking.

Probability x Severity = Risk Level

This is a subjective judgment but by using the following guidelines, workable safety plans can be developed:

IMPROBABLE - Physically possible, but never known to happen therefore very surprising.

POSSIBLE - Occasional instances known or heard of, therefore little surprise.

PROBABLE - A common occurrence if not heeded.

LIKELY - Known of with some frequency, therefore not surprised.

VERY LIKELY - A common occurrence or surprised if it didn't’t happen.

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