Day 4 of Great Big Green Week 2026 took pupils from the classroom to the banks of the river Kent for an unforgettable day of freshwater exploration with Danni from Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
Although the rain poured throughout the day, it did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the children, who embraced the opportunity to get into the river and discover the fascinating world hidden beneath the surface.
Reception and Year 1 pupils thoroughly enjoyed river dipping, using nets and trays to search for aquatic creatures living amongst the stones and vegetation. One particularly lucky group discovered three frogs sheltering beneath riverside rocks, providing an exciting glimpse into the rich wildlife supported by healthy freshwater habitats.
Year 2 pupils also had a fantastic session in the river Kent, where they found crayfish and what they believe may have been a young trout. While their socks may have been soggy by the end of the day, the smiles on their faces told the real story of a successful outdoor learning adventure.
Romney Class joined the activities after returning from their recent trip to Great Tower. Undeterred by the weather, they headed into the village for an afternoon of river dipping and wildlife discovery. Among their highlights was finding a crayfish and learning more about the animals that depend on clean rivers for survival.
Many of us enjoy splashing, paddling or swimming in rivers for fun, but the day encouraged pupils to think about what lies beneath the water’s surface. Through hands-on exploration, they learned that rivers are home to a remarkable variety of wildlife, from insects and amphibians to fish and crustaceans. The diversity of species found can also tell us a great deal about the health and water quality of a river.
The experience helped pupils develop a deeper understanding of freshwater habitats and the importance of protecting rivers like the Kent for both wildlife and people. It was a wet but wonderful day of discovery, learning and adventure.
Quotes
Pupils
“It was really fun, and we found some crayfish!”
“I enjoyed looking for wildlife hiding under the rocks.”
“When we weren’t in the river, I really enjoyed the bug hunt. We found a spider that looked like it was carrying eggs on its back.”
“The river was really cold at first, but once we started river dipping, we soon got used to it.”
“Even though it was raining and very wet, we found fish of different sizes. It was also exciting to find crayfish, which showed that the River Kent is a healthy place for them to live.”
Teachers
“Despite the heavy rain, the children were completely unfazed and eagerly got into the river with their nets. They had a fantastic time exploring, lifting rocks, and investigating the riverbed in search of wildlife. It was wonderful to see their excitement whenever they discovered something new, with children quickly gathering around to share in the moment and learn together. Danni was brilliant throughout the session, joining the children in the river and ensuring that everyone was both safe and having fun. Her enthusiasm and knowledge helped make the experience engaging, memorable, and full of learning opportunities for all.” – Miss Harrison.
Danni
“What a wonderfully wet day we had discovering what fabulous creatures lurked in our river here in Staveley. The children (and teachers) showed such resilience in some difficult conditions, but everyone embraced a day of soggy exploring. As always it was wonderful to work with Staveley School, their appreciation of the environment comes out every time I see them!.”
A huge thank you to Danni from Cumbria Wildlife Trust and everyone involved in making the day such a memorable part of Great Big Green Week.
