Bringing the outdoors to the classroom at Fred Nicholson School

Eight students from academic Year 10/11 have recently been awarded their Fishing for Schools Angling Skills Activity Award Foundation ‘Gold’ Award. This followed four days of intensive participation, building to a crescendo at Narborough Fisheries, Kings Lynn, for the final two days on the bank.

The classroom theory sessions clearly paid off! Away from the distractions and excitement of an angling environment, students were able to learn key topics such as why people go fishing, fact files (about certain fish) and even researched their own basic anatomy, assembly of tackle, knots, basic watercraft, bait, casting, and the countryside code (in relation to angling, staying safe and perhaps most importantly, respect for the environment and the safe and careful handling of fish).

All in all, seventeen core critical elements were achieved which link to core skills of problem solving, working with others, communication, research, resilience, improving personal performance and effective listening.

Fred Nicholson School in Dereham, Norfolk, caters for 197 children and young people, all of whom have complex educational needs. The school applied for the first time this year for inclusion in the 2025 Fishing for Schools programme and were successfully adopted, much to the delight of lead teacher, Dan Kelly.

Under the guidance of Fishing for Schools Coaches Jamie Benfield, Phillipa and Richard Winser, a two-day initiation brought everything together and into context, with a mixture of fly and feeder rod fishing.

Phillipa commented:

“It was superb, everything about it, even the weather was seasonally Spring like. Some of the students did remarkably well and were able to cast their own flies to a fish, retrieve it and make it dance across the water. Several independently caught fish and experienced the reward of putting everything into practice”.

Jamie said:

"Some of the highlights for me were seeing their skills develop, from improved casting to patiently using baiting tools. Teamwork and concentration levels were excellent."

However, the tutorials didn’t conclude as they waved goodbye to the classroom. On the bank there were discussions about how a fish can smell and detect amino and bile acids in the water, the use of bait flavouring enhancer, mixing ground bait compounds (all with a practical element), bite detection and techniques to reduce wind resistance and effects on the line… they even got to try some float fishing in the margins.

Finally, Richard added from the instructor’s perspective:

“Clearly the delivery we have with Fishing for Schools is not purely about catching fish, but it is always welcome when we have several on the bank! Over the two days we managed thirteen trout and at least forty common carp, seeing some fantastic teamwork. Most importantly, during the morning of our second day, the fish were less active. There had been a frost overnight and the water temperature was having an adverse effect on feeding. Despite doing everything right, with the confidence that the techniques would work from the day before, things were slow, and it reinforced the need to concentrate and remain focussed and positive. By doing so, that ‘positivity’ transmits down the line! As the water warmed up, the fish became considerably more active… it all came good in the end, you just need to believe that it will and never give up!”

There were so many highlights that it was difficult to award a prize or single out one particular fish or individual for recognition. In the end, fishing caps were awarded to the ‘first fish of the day’ which was taken within minutes of the clock starting, and the ‘last fish of the day’ which was being unhooked while the final whistle blew!

In conclusion, lead teacher Dan Kelly rounded up by saying:

“This has been a fantastic opportunity for our students at Fred Nicholson school and we cannot thank Richard, Pip and Jamie enough for their time and expertise. The feedback we have already had from pupils and parents has been very positive. It has been great to see our students out of the classroom learning new skills and working together collectively. This project fits in with so many of the school's core values and different elements of our curriculum. As a school we hope this is the start of a long relationship with the Fishing for Schools project. As the Physical education lead, I am already looking at opportunities to obtain our own fishing equipment to offer opportunities throughout the school year.”