Learning to swim is every child’s right and a life skill which, once accomplished, opens many opportunities for fun, active enjoyment of water based outdoor sports and even future employment. However, swimming is on the National Curriculum because of its integral role in a child’s understanding and knowledge of water safety. We need to teach our children how to be safe both near, on and in water. Knowing how to recognise potentially dangerous weather and water conditions, understanding safety signs, making safe choices and practising what to do should an accident happen could saves lives.
I have created a scheme of work with 20 stand alone water safety lessons, all of which can be taught in the classroom and linked to other curriculum areas such as Literacy, Science or PSHE. There are many useful and interesting resources available through the RNLI, Red Cross, Royal Life Saving Society and Swim England websites which I have included in the lesson plans. This scheme of work provides the theory behind and mirrors the practical swimming lessons delivered by the Sheffield School Swimming Service.
Jo Searle, on behalf of the PESSPA Alliance
Jo is a primary school teacher with over 33 years’ experience and has worked closely with swimming providers to improve the swimming outcomes of Sheffield children.
Jo was a member of Swim England’s Swim Group which developed the Curriculum Swimming and Water Safety Resource pack on behalf of the Department for Education.
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