Building lifelong experiences: Aylsham High School’s journey with Fishing for Schools

This Giving Tuesday, we’re sharing stories from the schools and their young people who take part in Fishing for Schools. At Aylsham High School in Norfolk, fishing sessions have opened new doors for students, creating lifelong experiences and helping them overcome barriers.

Hear directly from Aylsham’s SENCo and Head of Nurture on how your support makes a difference.

Tell us a little bit about your school

Aylsham High School is a popular and successful school that enjoys an excellent reputation for providing a high standard of education. We provide students and colleagues with a welcoming and supportive learning environment. This helps to create a caring working atmosphere that enables students to reach to their full potential, intellectually, physically, spiritually and ethically. We work hard to challenge all students to do their very best and make the most progress possible whatever their starting point.

What brought you into this area of education and why is it so important

My role of Lead Practitioner for Inclusion and Safeguarding provides me with the opportunity to work alongside colleagues across our federation to make a real difference to children’s lives. Delivering the national curriculum remains key but it’s everything else that goes alongside this that brings education to life. The world we live in has changed significantly over the years. Navigating society is tricky. There is nothing more rewarding than giving children experience and opportunities to build their own tools to guide them on the right path.

What impact has Fishing for Schools had on your students?

Fishing for Schools provides an experience and creates memories that our students never forget, developing skills that will be passed on for generations; not only the skills to fish but they build the resilience and courage to try something new, which is often very much out of their comfort zone. Knowing how to fish clearly opens up opportunities for social interaction, communicating with others and undoubtedly brings families together, creating and building relationships. We have also seen the calming and relaxing nature of fishing reduce anxieties and have a positive impact on mental health. You also cannot beat observing the sense of pride when the children catch their very first fish!

What are the five key benefits your students have gained from Fishing for Schools

1. Learning skills for life
2. Improvement in confidence and self esteem
3. Builds resilience…and lots of patience!
4. Importance of communication with both adults and their peers
5. Positive impact on mental health and wellbeing.

Can you share any specific success stories or memorable moments from your students' experiences in Fishing for Schools?

One family we work closely with puts a renewed and happy relationship between a student and their step dad down to the course. They took their step dad fishing after gaining confidence from the award and the bond between them has blossomed ever since. Prior to the introduction of fishing, their relationship was having a negative impact on both their lives and mums. It’s been immensely powerful and a success story we will treasure forever.

How do you feel our programme addresses the needs or challenges faced by your students?

I’ve not yet come across a programme in 18 years of teaching that provides students with as much as Fishing for Schools does. Working with the coaches creates an immensely powerful experience that delivers a blend of knowledge, opportunities and enjoyment. Fishing can be adapted for all needs.

"Being outdoors, closer to nature and being successful at something that is accessible for all. It ticks every box with supporting our most vulnerable, anxious and complex children. Away from the hustle, bustle and rigour of a school setting we have seen our student’s flourish."

The waterside creates a unique environment where students quickly build positive relationships with fishing coaches, interacting on a level that is rarely seen at school and for some, at home too. Their demeanour changes, the world is a happy place again.

If Fishing for Schools could offer additional support, what would be most valuable for your students or school?

I would love to find a way of introducing fishing to whole families. Could our children teach their parents/carers? Could they be part of the magical experience?

Three words which describe your students’ experiences with Fishing for Schools

Best, experience, ever.

Fishing for Schools coach, Richard Winser, has brought his expertise and passion to Aylsham High School, inspiring students through the unique opportunities this programme offers. Here’s what Richard has to say about its transformative impact:

“We open a doorway and guide them through it, to a previously unchartered world where imaginations are engaged and inspired, ambitions are fulfilled and potential is realised, boldly holding a sign that reads “This (these) are the ‘funnest’ day(s) ever”. Angling is the perfect, subtle mechanism that surreptitiously can draw in so many other aspects of the conventional curriculum. Often, the Fishing for Schools engagement can be quantified by attainment and attendance, but what is harder to define, is how it conveys achievement and the road to ‘success’, instilling a sense of belief at so many personal levels. It is very much an individual journey, during which we all take something… even the coaches”

This Giving Tuesday, your support can help us create more opportunities for students to experience the transformative power of fishing. Every contribution makes a difference, so if you can, please donate today.