A4S Youth Angling Academy

Angling as Alternative Curriculum

Angling offers a very effective outdoor alternative to traditional classroom learning. The calm, waterside learning environment proves very successful with many of the hardest to reach young people, who for a number of reasons find learning in large groups in an indoor classroom stifling and counter-productive. Angling is one of the few activities that will "reel in" pre-NEET young people towards re-engagement and re-evaluation of the future.0

• A4S.Angling is an off-site provision, offering transport
• 1 session = typically 09.00 to 15.00 or equivalent of school day
• We tutor 1-2-1 and with small groups (max. group size 6 + 2 angling coaches)
• We operate all year round
• We are based in Bedford, but offer educational angling activities in: Beds., Bucks., Cambs., Herts., & Northants. We are open to discussion about activties in the South East and indeed further afield.

A4S.Accreditation

This is not angling for angling's sake ... The emphasis within the A4S.Angling learning programme is to convert new skills and knowledge acquired in the outdoors into solid, recognisable, tradeable qualifications, recognised by colleges and employers. As such we are an accredited OCN and BTEC centre, offering these qualifications alongside our activities:

• Open College Network (OCN) - Up to Level 2
• BTEC (EdExcel) - Up to Level 2 (2 x GCSE Equivalent Grade A-C)

We also offer clear progression routes withih the programme, e.g.:

1. Level 1 OCN Improving own Learning & Performance (QCF) + Angling Skills
2. > Level 1 OCN Developing Skills for Employment (QCF) + Waterside Estate Maintenance
3. >> Level 2 BTEC Extended Certificate in Fish Husbandry (QCF), incl. Work Related Experiences and Fisheries Estate Maintenance

Other Subjects intrinsically embedded in Angling

Angling, by its very nature, includes real life aspects of many additional subjects:

• Maths - Weights, measures, distances, angles
• English - e.g. Recording a learning log of skills learned
• Geography - Understanding water-specific geographic features, e.g. ox-bow lakes
• Latin - Learning fish names
• Biology - Identifying key biological characteristics of different species
• Chemistry - Water testing (BTEC), pollution

A4S.Staff

The A4S.Staff comprises a talented team of educationalists, outdoor enthusiasts and youthwork specialists, who bring together a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise, with a common goal of wanting to help others enjoy the benefits of the outdoors, develop and achieve success.

A4S.Tutors are:

• Professional Angling Coaches
• Enhanced CRB checked
• Child protection Trained
• Basic First Aider Trained

Our core team of Level 2 Coaches (Group Leaders) are also:

• Counselling Young People Trained
• Mental Health First Aid Trained         

Practicalities of the day

We can provide:

• Transport from central point to and from venues

We always provide:

• Qualified, experienced angling coaches
• Fishing Tackle
• Fishery Estate Maintenance Equipment
• All conditions clothing - Head to toe
• Safety Equipment
• Bait
• Day Tickets
• Cameras for recording activities

Young people need only bring:

• A packed lunch
• An open mind
• A willingness to try new skills