As angling increases its profile up and down the country, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) has added the NFA’s ‘Introduction to Angling and the Environment’ angling course to its range of innovative educational projects for young people.  RBFRS is the first Fire Brigade in the country to offer the NFA’s qualification and is looking to expand the course in a number of schools within the area.

The course is currently being run as an after school activity for Year 8 pupils (12-13 year olds) at Trevelyan School in Windsor. RBFRS staff members and fully qualified NFA Level Two coaches, Steve Carvell and Barry Ratchford deliver the course in the school while working closely with Liz Rhodes, Education Development Officer at RBFRS.

Liz has worked closely with the coaches regarding delivery of the lesson plans to ensure that the course supports many of the Government’s ‘Every Child Matters’ criteria, including Being Healthy, Staying Safe and Making a Positive Contribution.  The Introduction to Angling and the Environment course also supports the Fire Brigade’s aims of offering a positive role model to young people and providing potentially lifesaving information about water safety.

The course which is already underway has received some very positive praise including the following statements.

Steve Carvell Lead NFA Level Two Angling Coach
Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service are committed to this course because it supports many of the governments “Every Child Matters” Criteria. Any course that gets youngsters out into the environment has to have a positive effect.

Jim Griffiths Headmaster of Trevelyan School, Windsor
The real impact of this exciting project will stay with the boys for the rest of their lives.

Ruari Collins Pupil at the school
I think the course is really good because you get to learn about fishing and the environment as well as having a laugh.

The NFA’s qualification is open to all organisations which work with young people, so if you would like any more information please visit our website, www.nfadirect.com or email education@nfadirect.com. An essential part of the course is the availability of qualified coaches to assist in the course delivery so if you are interested in becoming a coach and delivering the qualification please again visit our website and refer to the coaching section or email coaching@nfadirect.com.