Schools' Swimming Service

Swimming is a life skill that every child has a right to learn. Schools have a duty to teach high quality swimming and water safety to all pupils, irrespective of their ability, during their primary education. The purpose of this is to ensure all pupils have the opportunity to achieve the national curriculum standard.

Primary education

The Schools’ Swimming Service is dedicated to providing the opportunity for all children in Nottinghamshire to access swimming. Pupils will start the Learners Journey which equips them to meet the needs of the national curriculum in relation to both swimming and survival. The service endeavours to enrich all pupils’ swimming experiences and offers participation in gala events.

Further support is given to pupils with additional needs through bridging clubs. The aim of which is to help develop the specific needs of individuals, creating pathways and opportunities for development of skills within the limitations of their disability.

The service provides qualified instructors and lifeguards and arranges pool hire and transport. The service recommends all school teachers undertake the training offered to improve their confidence and impact on the learning outcomes of the children.

What we offer:

The service is available to pre-school, special, primary and secondary school children of all ability levels
Access to all schools to provide the National Curriculum statutory requirement
High quality swimming in a safe environment
Highly qualified instructors and lifeguards who undergo regular training
Flexibility to meet the individual needs of schools and pupils
Provision of swimming galas for all schools to access
Access to lead professionals in swimming for advice and support
Provision of bridging clubs for pupils with additional needs, teaching in small groups. These sessions can’t be undertaken instead of the school’s mainstream lessons
The opportunity for all school teachers to access training
New opportunity for schools coming soon - classroom based water safety and first aid sessions delivered by fully qualified instructors, to equip children with the knowledge and understanding of how to stay safe around water and administer basic first aid.

This service will ensure that all of your National curriculum and Ofsted requirements will be met while also providing additional support and advice for pupils with additional needs. Training is also provided for school teachers in the teaching of swimming to improve learning outcomes of pupils.

"Cameron’s swimming has greatly improved, this is due to the swimming lessons he had with school when in year three. I wanted to let you know of my appreciation of those swimming lessons." Catherine Beaumont, Parent.

Training

National Curriculum Training Programme for School Swimming through the Learners Journey

Please note: there is a Local Authority policy change from September 2019 for school staff wishing to support School Swimming in a teaching capacity. Following successful completion of the two-day course the candidates will be able to take a group of 6-8 swimmers. All candidates will have a further competency test on poolside and following successful completion the number of children being taught can then increase up to 12 for non- swimmers and 20 for competent swimmers. The courses can be paid for using the PE and Sport premium funding and the cover required back in the classroom can also be charged

Nottinghamshire Schools Portal