Bird of Prey Centre visit Academy

As part of their History course, Year 8 pupils at Salford City Academy have been hosting pupils from Barton Moss and Lewis St Primary Schools to show them the ancient art of Hawking. The skilled staff from Gauntlet Bird of Prey centre in Knutsford, Cheshire, have attended the school on a number of occasions previously, but this is the first time that it has been incorporated into a History lesson. Using Hawks, for both hunting and display has been a part of life for thousands of years, and it was used regularly in medieval festivals and tournaments. As the Y8 pupils have been studying both periods, the activity fits in ideally with the lessons.

The birds that are on display at the Gauntlet Bird of prey Centre vary enormously, from Owls to Bald Eagles, from all parts of the world. However, for the purposes of this visit pupils get to see, touch and fly Owls, Harris Hawks and Vultures. A few lucky pupils even get to hold and feed the birds of prey.

The Hawking sessions have always proven to be a very popular activity, an exciting addition to a popular History course at Salford City Academy. The Subject Leader for Social Sciences and Head of History, Mr Turner, is also visiting primary Schools within the Eccles area over the next term to introduce pupils to wide and varied aspects of local and world History.