Pupils hooked by new qualification

Jun 18 2009 by Les Stewart, Blairgowrie Advertiser

Pupils hooked by new qualification

PUPILS at Blairgowrie High School have cast into new waters as the school becomes the first in Scotland to offer a new national qualification in angling.

The course in game angling has been developed by AFYD (Angling for Youth Development) and is comparable to a SVQ level 2.

Over eight modules it covers the history of angling, equipment, fly fishing, wildlife and environmental law as it applies to fishing, water safety and the river eco-system. Practical sessions will take place at a local trout fishery.

It will become part of the curriculum at Blairgowrie High School at the start of the 2009-10 school session, available to pupils from S3 upwards, before being offered to all schools throughout Scotland over the next year.

Pupils will study both with certified local coaches and school staff with a keen interest in angling.

Blairgowrie High School has been working over the last few years to put in place vocational opportunities to help pupils to gain relevant skills for work.

These cover topics including horticulture, engineering and hospitality.

Angling also contributes strongly to the local economy and the new qualification has been developed to enable pupils with a strong interest in angling to further improve their skills and help them to find jobs in the sector.

The new course further cements the link between the school and AFYD which has seen young people taking introductory angling courses to learn the basics.

At the launch AFYD's patron Professor David Bellamy said: Professor Bellamy said: “Scotland is the open university of field sports and AFYD is now the crowning glory.

“This is a unique opportunity for the young people in the area to develop their skills and knowledge and appreciation of the environment.”

AFYD coach Graham Lee said: “This is an exciting opportunity for pupils to develop their skills, dependent on the route they wish to take.

“The SVQ level 2 is an excellent base to start from and the SVQ level 11 coaching qualification is also available.

“Game angling tourism brings a lot of much needed money into the country and fully qualified ghillies will be required.

“Whichever route the pupils decide to take, the AFYD qualification will go a long way to help develop game angling throughout the country."

Perth and Kinross Council's convener of lifelong learning Liz Grant said: “The council is pleased to support AFYD and Blairgowrie High School in the development of this brand new qualification.

“It fits in well alongside the other vocational studies being offered at the school which are an important part of the drive towards the Curriculum for Excellence.

“The topics covered will provide pupils with both practical, hands-on learning opportunities and a good grounding in other key areas of the subject – preparing young people for working in the angling industry.”