Education
Enthusing and educating people and local communities about red kites is one of the key elements of the Northern Kites project. The Project Team work with Primary and Secondary schools and deliver adult education opportunities, focusing on the kites and linking to wider biodiversity issues.
Adopt a Kite Scheme
 Northern Kites Adopt-a-Kite Scheme is an opportunity for schools to adopt a red kite released in Gateshead’s lower Derwent valley. By adopting a red kite, pupils can learn about red kites, nature conservation and biodiversity through this very exciting wildlife project.
 Schools from around the region have adopted all the kites released. Further schools have now been able to join the scheme thanks to the wing tagging of ten red kite chicks this summer. The wing tags allow the progress of the birds to be monitored so enabling them to be adopted.
Ninety-five schools are now involved in the scheme including nursery, primary and secondary schools located in Northumberland, Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham. The scheme is free to join and all the schools are asked is to give their kite a name, including Scarlet, Fire Flight, Flame, Phoenix, Twilight, Flag and Red Arrow (see ‘Kite Updates’ for a full list of names).
 As each released bird is given uniquely numbered, coloured wing tags and carries a radio transmitter, which emits an individual frequency, it is possible to track birds and provide updates to schools about their very own kite, and how it is doing in the wild.
'Sprite the Kite' is our cartoon kite that helps explain about red kites and the reintroduction project. She is included in two ‘Red Kites in Gateshead Education Resources’ packs, one for pre-school and one developed for Key Stages 1 to 4. All kite activities help deliver elements of the National Curriculum. The pack is given to all schools adopting a kite.
Sprite the Kite illustrated/copyright Jules Burnett
Other Education Opportunities
Schools who have missed out on the opportunity to adopt a kite can still learn about the kites and the Project. Please contact the kite office and watch this space for further details.
Adult Learning
Kite Awareness courses have been developed and delivered specifically for Project partner staff and other organisations that have potential to encounter the kites in their daily work. There has also been a course ran through the Centre for Lifelong Learning in Newcastle registering members of the public from around the region who were keen to find out more about reintroducing red kites.
For further information about Northern Kites education opportunities please contact Melanie Hills at the Northern Kites office on 0191 4961555.
Fun Stuff
You can download and print the following fun documents.
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