Swimming & Water Safety
Here at Whittington we take School Swimming seriously. Swimming is not only a key life skill for pupils that allows them to be physically active and enjoy water-based activities, it is also a lifesaving skill. With many lakes, rivers and canals surrounding the area in which we live, it is crucial that pupils know how to stay safe in and around the water.
School Swimming:
We offer school swimming to our year 4 children during the Autumn term. All children must wear a swimming hat and remove all jewellery before entering the pool. Boys must wear trunks and NOT swimming shorts. Girls should wear suitable one-piece swimming costumes. Please make sure that all of the children's uniform and equipment is labelled and they are able to dry and dress themselves efficiently.
Water Safety:
At Whittington Primary School, we are committed to ensuring that all children develop the knowledge, confidence and skills they need to stay safe in and around water. Water safety is taught through a combination of classroom learning and land-based practical activities as part of our whole-school Sports and Wellbeing Week. We have developed a progressive water safety programme that is delivered from Nursery through to Year 6, ensuring that learning builds year on year. In addition, pupils in Year 4 apply their learning through practical water safety experiences during their swimming lessons.
We recognise the important role that parents and carers play in helping children become confident and safety-aware around water. Below you will find a range of activities and resources that you can use at home to support your child's learning and prepare them for water safety lessons. We also encourage families to explore water safety together by visiting local rivers, canals, lakes or beaches (where appropriate) and discussing potential hazards, warning signs and safe behaviours. These real-life conversations help children apply their learning and reinforce the importance of making safe choices around water.
Useful Websites:
Learn to Swim information for parents | Swim England Learn to Swim
Swim England | Welcome to the home of Swim England
RNLI - Royal National Lifeboat Institution - Saving Lives at Sea