West Cumbria Rivers Trust recently delivered their Wild River Day programme to 74 children from Year 3 and 4 from Keswick’s St Herbert’s School.
The children spent the first half of the day in the classroom with WCRT staff looking at human impacts on the river as well as investigating freshwater wildlife. They played ‘who am I?’’, (a game of guessing what freshwater creature they are), labelled a local map with river features, created a river system with ribbons, and played ‘good for/bad for rivers’ which challenges children to think about what can impact a river system both positively and negatively.
The second delivery day was spent outdoors near the river Greta at Townsfield Park in Keswick. The children investigated the invertebrates that live in the river, completed a ‘walk over’ survey and created ‘land art’ (making a river using natural materials on dry land). The Trust always aim to deliver outdoor sessions at the school’s local river, connecting children with their own landscape. Learning outside the classroom can help to bring many school subjects alive.
West Cumbria Rivers Trust can tailor their Wild River Days programme to KS1 or 2 for primary schools. The Trust also work with secondary schools and deliver Forest School inspiring hundreds of children and young people every year.
Figures show that since 1970 there has been an 83% decline in freshwater species globally. The Trust believe it’s crucial for children to experience the natural world if they are to protect it and gain the many benefits it has to offer.
West Cumbria Rivers Trust Education offer is generously supported by the following funders: National Lottery Heritage Fund, Sellafield Ltd, Francis C Scott Charitable Trust and Cumbria Community Foundation.
Mia Ambrose, WCRT’s Learning & Engagement Officer, said:
“It’s lovely to deliver our Wild Rivers programme to a school round the corner from our head offices! It’s one of the largest school bookings we’ve ever had and it went brilliantly. It’s so important to deliver these sessions in school and at children’s local river, connecting them with their own landscapes. We want them to have a lasting connection with nature.”
Mrs Parr, Year 3/4 Teacher at St. Herbert’s, said:
“Thank you to West Cumbria Rivers Trust for the opportunity to bring our learning to life. Having the opportunity to have hands-on experience at their local river really has consolidated the children’s knowledge.”
If your school or group would like to talk to us about our education offer, please contact Emma Jenkinson on: emma@westcumbriariverstrust.org or find out more online: westcumbriariverstrust.org/projects/education
