TROUT IN THE CLASSROOM DELIVERS ANOTHER FIN-TASTIC TERM IN LANCASHIRE SCHOOLS
Pupils across Lancashire have been waving goodbye to their fishy classmates as another successful term of Ribble Rivers Trust’s Trout in the Classroom project comes to a close.
This spring, 13 primary schools across the Ribble catchment took part in the hands-on education programme, giving more than 440 Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils a chance to witness the remarkable journey of brown trout from egg to fry, all from the comfort of their classrooms.
From January through to Easter, classrooms were transformed into mini rivers, with tanks set up by Ribble Rivers Trust staff and their fantastic team of education volunteers: Greg, Kerry, Peter, and Steve. Each school receives around 100 brown trout eggs, and pupils take on the role of fish guardians, nurturing their tiny friends while watching them grow and develop through the early stages of life.
“It’s such a magical experience for the children,” said Emily Taylor, an Education Officer at Ribble Rivers Trust. “They really form a connection with the trout, and that makes the science behind rivers, habitats, and wildlife conservation so much more meaningful.”
The project doesn’t just stop in the classroom. At the end of term, pupils joined Ribble Rivers Trust staff at their local rivers to say a fond farewell to their young trout, releasing them into the wild to begin the next chapter of their lives. During releases, pupils also get their feet wet, often literally, exploring the river’s ecosystem, learning to identify freshwater invertebrates and understanding how these tiny creatures support the entire river food web, including their trout.
With our expert knowledge of rivers and education, Trout in the Classroom is complements the Key Stage 2 curriculum and also supports pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, which are vital for well-rounded education.
This year also saw the expansion of Ribble Rivers Trust’s trout hubs, with a brand-new tank installed at Haworth Art Gallery in Accrington. This follows the success of the first hub tank at Towneley Park in Burnley. These hubs offer a chance for hundreds of additional children, families, and visitors to follow the trout’s journey, even if they’re not part of a participating school. The trout at Towneley will remain in place until summer, when they too will be released into the river to go it alone!
With the hubs proving so popular, Ribble Rivers Trust is now seeking donations to support a third location at Avenham Park in Preston, allowing even more people to connect with river wildlife in a fun and memorable way.
Although Trout in the Classroom is now over for the term, Ribble Rivers Trust’s Education Team aren’t hanging up their waterproofs just yet. The summer term will be packed with outdoor learning, including river safaris, river visits, interactive workshops, and water safety sessions.
Whilst the Trust is able to subsidise the cost of the programme for many schools, the project is made possible thanks to the generous support of Darwen Rotary, Friends of Townley Park, Howarth Art Gallery, Oswaldtwistle Rotary, The Prospects Foundation, Towneley Hall, and Ribble Rivers Trust’s many supporters.
Rivers are at the heart of our local landscapes. Whether you’re casting a line, exploring a riverside trail, or simply basking in the beauty of nature, you can help protect these special places now, and for generations to come.
By becoming a Ribble Rivers Trust supporter for just £3 a month, you’ll be funding real, on-the-ground action.
Ready to make a difference? Learn more here: ribbletrust.org.uk/become-a-supporter
