COUNTRY landowners and businesses have decided to back a novel scheme for children with behavioural or learning difficulties: take them fishing - and allow them to earn a qualification which might help them to get future work in the countryside.

The CLA Charitable Trust has donated £2,260 to fund the creation of a new classroom at Paddock House Farm, Sicklinghall, near Wetherby.

If it wasn't for vocational education, these children would leave school with no qualifications and no
prospects

Gareth Gaunt - Paddock House Farm

The new classroom will be used to deliver elements of an approved "Fishing and the Environment" qualification, which dozens of children at risk of being excluded from Schools throughout the Leeds area are studying at Paddock House Farm under the guidance of owner, Gareth Gaunt.

Said Gareth: "Unfortunately, there is very little financial support available for this type of educational project, so I am grateful to the CLA for its assistance. If it wasn't for vocational education, these children would leave school with no qualifications and no prospects, further adding to our country's growing social deprivation problems."

In recent years, Gareth has invested around £500,000 in converting disused farm buildings into fully-equipped teaching workshops from which he runs a number of courses including wood working, tractor mechanics, horticulture, cookery and art and media. He also hosts frequent farm visits for local schools throughout the year.

CLA regional director for Yorkshire, Dorothy Fairburn, said: "We are delighted to be able to assist in delivering this crucially important service to the community, but it is a sad state of affairs that proactive members like Gareth need to rely on charitable donations to achieve their objectives.

"If the Government truly cares about tackling social depravation in urban areas and supporting rural communities, it must channel additional resources into creating viable and sustainable partnerships between city schools and land owners."

• The new classroom and fishing ponds at Paddock House Farm are available to any youth groups in the area that would like to use the facility. For further information on availability and how to book, please contact Gareth Gaunt on 07930 991454.