ACTION for the River Kennet have worked with five schools as part of a project to teach children about river wildlife.

The river trust conducted their Eels in Schools initiative over three months at Ramsbury Primary School, Great Bedwyn Primary School, St Michael’s, Aldbourne, Stockcross Primary, and Welford & Wickham Primary.

Classes have been caring for and learning about the unusual and critically endangered fish through a range of educational activities both in the classroom and at the riverside.

ARK project manager, Anna Forbes, said: “Over the months the students have seen the transformation from glass eel to elver, they have learned lots about their local chalk river and that we can all play a role in preserving it by being water smart.

“This year we have been particularly fortunate to have been able to make arrangements with local fisheries and hold our release days at some very beautiful and well managed locations along the Kennet.

“Rambury students have created a wealth of curriculum based work around the project, their posters to raise awareness of the problems that eels face and how we all need to use less water were of an extremely high standard.”

Both Ramsbury and Great Bedwyn had picnics by the river, led riverbank walks to explore and build on all the knowledge the students had gained through the project, and lots of fun in the river.

To learn more about ARK, go to: visit www.riverkennet.org