Introduction

The following policy has been revised and updated by Buckinghamshire Council (BC) and BSSP. It has been through wide consultation involving; the Bucks Swim Focus Group, Headteachers, leisure providers, swimming co-ordinators, Swim England (formerly ASA), and the Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS), to provide a valuable and accurately informed working document.  It is intended to inform and support the following:

• Headteachers,
• Governors,
• Teachers in charge of School Swimming and Water Safety within their school,
• Leisure providers,
• Swimming teachers,
• School staff accompanying pupils to their school swimming lessons.

Working in partnership will ensure a consistent joined-up approach in the planning and delivery of safe, quality school swimming and water safety lessons.

Swimming is a highly beneficial life-saving activity. It supports the acquisition and development of physical literacy, along with skills for health and enjoyment.  As a threshold skill, it also gives access to many other water-based recreational activities.   It is also incredibly good for your physical and mental health and wellbeing - it is the only activity you can do at any age and ability. Nevertheless, it also carries the risks of death through drowning or injury by brain damage through near-drowning. 

Therefore, the teaching of swimming must be about knowing what to do if someone gets into trouble in the water; if a strong current takes your friend away from the edge; or if you fall in when running by a river or canal.  We have a responsibility to ensure that our pupils are taught basic water safety skills.  Swimming is ‘Wet Physical Education.’

Important Information

The teaching and learning of swimming and water safety, therefore, requires the utmost care on the part of all concerned.