“Salmon in the Classroom” is delivered as a structured school programme over six to eight weeks, embedding environmental learning into the classroom through sustained activity and responsibility and funded by the Society. The programme is delivered across multiple schools, bringing pupils together through a shared focus on rivers and the natural environment. It concludes with an offsite visit to a working salmon station and a guided river experience, allowing pupils to connect what they have learned with real river systems and environmental management in practice.
The impact is educational and long-term. Pupils develop a clearer understanding of river ecosystems and the pressures they face, including pollution, habitat loss and overexploitation, helping build early awareness of environmental responsibility. The programme also strengthens understanding of water safety and responsible interaction with natural environments, reinforcing how rivers can be used and enjoyed safely.
The off-site experience and river walk are central to impact. Pupils observe river conditions directly, including plant and animal life and the physical barriers affecting fish populations, grounding classroom learning in real local environments. This creates a more durable connection to place, with learning retained through direct experience rather than theory alone.
A distinctive aspect of the programme is its shared learning model across schools. By bringing pupils from different communities into a common learning experience focused on the river environment, the programme supports connection through a shared responsibility for natural resources.
Overall, the impact is that young people leave with a stronger understanding of their local waterways, a clearer sense of environmental responsibility, and the knowledge and confidence to engage safely and responsibly with the natural environment.
