Tees Active Ltd. School Swimming Guidelines Version Author Comments Date 1 D. Wilson 06.09.14 1
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1. INTRODUCTION This document has been designed to offer guidance to the pupils and schools that receive swimming instruction within Tees Active Ltd facilities. An electronic copy of Stockton School Swimming Guidelines together with the hosting leisure facilities Normal Operating Procedures (NOP) and Emergency Action Plan (EAP) will be provided to each school at the start of an academic year. 1.1 Tees Active Ltd Who we are. Tees Active Ltd is a Leisure Trust that was formed in 2004 and operates the leisure facilities in Stockton-on-Tees on behalf of Stockton BC. Tees Active Ltd also manages Tees Barrage White Water Centre. 1.2 Learn-to-Swim Swimming is a life skill and at Tees Active we believe that every child should have the opportunity to swim. We offer Learn-to-Swim lessons for all ages and abilities across all of our pools for 50 weeks of the year. We also provide 1-2-1 swimming lessons and holiday intensive Learn-to-Swim sessions. 1.3 Leisure Card Membership We appreciate that although swimming is an essential skill that can save your life, it often comes at a cost. Tees Active s Leisure Card is an excellent way to save money on most leisure activities in our venues. The card is valid for a year from purchase and gives various discounts on activities www.teesactive.co.uk/become-a-member 1.4 End of Term Activities Tees Actives facilities could be the ideal venue for your schools end of term activities. We have a number of excursions available from an exclusive pool party at Splash, to Ice Skating at Billingham Forum. For further information on offers please email the venues directly. Splash splash@teesactive.co.uk Billingham Forum billinghamforum@teesactive.co.uk 2. PROVISION OF SCHOOL SWIMMING 2.1 The National Curriculum - Swimming The National Curriculum states that by the end of Key Stage 2 all children should be able to swim a minimum distance of 25 metres unaided. It is therefore vital that schools offer a comprehensive and effective swimming lesson programme for all students up to the age of 11. Swimming is not only good for children s health; it is a skill that could ultimately save their lives. Drowning is the third most common cause of accidental death in children so it is vital that every child has the opportunity to learn to swim and gains a core knowledge regarding water safety. 3
At present, school swimming is not a compulsory part of the National Curriculum at Key Stage 1 (children from five to seven years).if schools do choose to teach swimming at this stage, pupils should be taught to: Move in the pool (for example, jump, walk, hop, and spin, using swimming aids and/or support) Float and move with and without swimming aids Propel themselves in water using different swimming aids, arms and leg actions and basic strokes. Please Note: Tees Active does not accept children from Key Stage 1 as part of the School Swimming scheme unless by prior arrangement with the Aquatic Manager. During Key Stage 2 (age seven to 11 years), swimming is a compulsory part of the National Curriculum. Ideally all pupils should attend swimming at this level for 2 years. At this stage, pupils will be taught to: Pace themselves in floating and swimming challenges related to speed, distance and personal survival Swim unaided for a sustained period of time over a distance of at least 25m Use recognised arm and leg movements on both their front and back Use a range of recognised strokes and personal survival skills (for example, front crawl, backstroke, sculling, floating and surface diving). Tees Active Swimming Instructors will work towards the ASA s recognised standard in all strokes and water skills. To assist as many children as possible to gain their 25 metre award, our instructors will sign off a child of acceptable standard and continue to work with them until they reach the ASA s recognised standard. Children will be encouraged to achieve their 25m award using Front Crawl. See Appendix 1 for the Acceptable & ASA Recognised Standards. 2.2 Tees Active Swimming Instructors Tees Active Ltd. (TAL) have allocated School Swimming Instructors to assist schools in the delivery of the National Curriculum requirements at Splash, Thornaby Pool and Billingham Forum. TAL will ensure that the School Swimming Instructors (or any temporary cover) hold a Level 2 Teaching Aquatics Certificate (ASA UKCC or equivalent). School staff will be required to assist in the delivery of school swimming lessons. TAL s School Swimming Instructor will allocate the appropriate groups to school staff. 4
The School Swimming Instructor will communicate and work closely with the supporting school staff and be able to offer help and advice. The School Swimming Instructor will rotate with all groups over the duration of a term. 2.3 School Staff School staff play a key role in delivering school swimming lessons. School staff should liaise with the School Swimming Instructor to clarify roles on poolside, link the lessons to other National Curriculum subjects and offer advice with regard to pupils. TAL School Swimming Instructors will provide school staff with a range of laminated cards to assist them in delivering school swimming lessons. School staff are solely responsible for the supervision of their pupils in the venues changing facilities. It is the responsibility of the school to provide suitable staff to supervise children in the changing rooms. Schools will be allocated specific changing areas at our venues; however public swimming may also be in operation when schools visit so it is essential schools ensure suitable changing room supervision for their own pupils. 2.4 Duration of Instruction Currently all school swimming lesson allocation is based on a 30 minute timetable. Children in Years 5 & 6 may benefit from longer lessons to assist in achieving the National Curriculum standards. Additional lesson time can be negotiated with Education Services and TAL s Aquatic Manager. 2.5 School Swimming Group Sizes In accordance with the ASA s Safe Supervision for Teaching & Coaching Swimming guidelines the following teacher: pupil ratios must not be exceeded: Non-Swimmers & Beginners12:1 Improving Swimmers 20:1 Further information can be found at: www.swimming.org/asa/facilities/health-and-safety. 2.6 Stockton Schools Swimming Festival The annual Stockton Schools Swimming Festival is organised by the Stockton s School Sports Partnership Managers. Tees Active support this event by providing the facilities and releasing the School Swimming Instructors to assist with the event. The swimming festival gives pupils and schools the opportunity to compete against each other at local and county level. 5
2.7 Top-Up Swimming Lessons Tees Active can provide additional Top-Up swimming lessons for schools with pupils needing to achieve the minimum requirement of swimming 25 metres by the end of Key Stage 2. These lessons are in addition to the current School Swimming provision and should not replace annual swimming provision. TAL s School Swimming Instructors will work with schools to identify which children would benefit from attending Top Up swimming sessions. Contact Tees Actives Aquatic Manager for prices and availability. 2.8 Get Safe for Summer During the final 2 weeks of summer term, TAL s School Swimming Instructors will focus specifically on water safety, personal survival and enforcing the importance of staying safe around water. 3. POOL SAFETY 3.1 Pool Safety & Emergency Procedures During the first week of a new school year and whenever a new group of swimmers begin swimming at a pool, staff and pupils will receive a Pool Safety Induction into their specific venue. See Appendix 2. As mentioned in the introduction, schools will also receive a copy of their venues Normal Operating Procedures and Emergency Action Plan (NOP s & EAP s) at the beginning of each school year. The Pool Safety Induction will include: General health & hygiene rules for swimming pools General pool rules and watery safety advice What is meant by appropriate swimwear Wearing of goggles and jewellery Action on hearing the pool alarm Action on hearing the fire alarm 3.2 School Swimming General Guidance Notes for Schools, Pupils & Parents All school staff, pupils and parents should be made aware of the general guidance notes for school swimming at Tees Active venues. Any child that is unwell, especially those with upset stomachs should not be allowed to swim. Please ensure that any pupil with a medical condition or behavioural problem is highlighted to TAL s School Swimming Instructor as soon as possible. Any necessary medication should be brought to the pool and readily available for use by the pupil if required. 6
If a child is suffering from a foot infect. They may still swim if the condition is being treated and appropriate measures are being taken (e.g. a verruca sock is worn) Jewellery must not be worn during swimming lessons. All jewellery can be hazardous to both the wearer and another swimmer. Please note that we do not make exceptions for newly pierced ears. Jewellery worn for medical or religious purposes must be discussed in advance with Tees Actives Aquatic Manager. 3.3 Swimming Goggles The use of swimming goggles is optional during school swimming lessons providing the child can put them on, remove them and adjust them independently.* Please note; every child will be expected to remove their goggles at some stage during their lessons as the National Curriculum for School Swimming requires certain elements to be completed without goggles. The venue can not be held responsible for goggles left behind by children after a swimming lesson. Schools should not be required to obtain written parental or guardian consent for the use of goggles, but to ensure parents & guardians are adequately informed of the option whether to use swimming goggles or not. *Where children present with individual or special needs, their Teaching Assistant or 1-1 support may be required to assist in the putting on, removing or adjusting the goggles when required. 3.4 Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults Tees Active Ltd is committed to the creation and maintenance of a safe and secure environment for all those who use its facilities and services. It is especially committed to the safeguarding of children (defined as up to 18 years old) and vulnerable adults who use our services. TAL s policy details the procedures to be followed by Board Members, Employees (the term Employees to include Full time, Part-time, Casual s, Volunteers, Agency and Contractors) and Groups or Individuals acting on behalf of TAL, in providing a duty of care for children and vulnerable adults, safeguarding their well being and providing protection from all forms of abuse or harm when using services organised or provided by TAL. A copy of TAL s Safeguarding policy can be seen at all venues. 3.5 Lifeguard Provision Full lifeguard provision will be provided at all of Tees Actives swimming pools. All of our lifeguards hold the RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Qualification and regularly attend training to ensure they meet the qualification standards. 3.6 Risk Assessments for School Swimming All venues will conduct a risk assessment for school swimming. The risk assessment will cover the areas the school children will encounter 7
and the activities they are likely to participate in. Copies of risk assessments can be obtained from the venue upon request. 4. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q. A child has had their ears pierced and can not remove the earrings for 6 weeks. Can they cover the studs with plasters and a swimming hat? A. No - We do not allow any form of jewellery to be worn during school swimming lessons due to the risk to the child and other swimmers. Plasters are not a suitable solution in water as they often come off even when covered by a swimming hat. Q. A child has a rash that isn t contagious and wants to swim. Can we allow them? A. Yes - If a child has been given the all clear to swim from their doctor. Q. A few children do not want to wear swimming hats. Can they attend school swimming lessons? A. Yes We want every child to have the opportunity to learn to swim. Swimming hats ensure long hair is kept out of faces and helps minimise the impact of children returning to school with wet hair. For this reason, schools may insist that their pupils all wear hats. TAL School Swimming Teachers will support schools in whatever they decide. Q. Do children have to swim 25 metres by the end of Key Stage 2. A. Yes the minimum requirement is for a child to swim 25 metres before they leave primary school. However, this is not the only standard required for School Swimming. Our aim is to give all children the opportunity to achieve all Key Stage 2 National Curriculum Swimming Standards. The ASA recommend that children have at least 24 hours of swimming time to meet the requirements. Schools can assist by ensuring that pupils are allocated school swimming to meet this recommendation. Top-Up Swimming will be available in July 2014 specifically for those children still needing to achieve the National Curriculum standard. Q. Some of the pupils only have holiday type swimwear. Is this classed as appropriate? A. We would prefer that all children wear swimwear suitable for a school swimming lesson. (For example, a one-piece for girls and swimming shorts / trunks for boys). However, we do appreciate that not all children will be able to meet this recommendation. If the swimwear is safe for the child, they will be permitted to swim and also advised to try and find more appropriate swimwear for future lessons. 8
Problems & Complaints In the event of any problems, please contact a manager at the pool where your school swims. If your problem can not be resolved at the venue please contact TAL s Aquatic Manager. Useful Contacts For general queries please contact the venues directly:- SPLASH Email: splash@teesactive.co.uk Church Road Telephone: 01642 660610 Stockton-on-Tees School Swimming Instructor: Mrs. Liz Childs TS18 1TY Venue Contact: Duty Manager Billingham Forum Email: billinghamforum@teesactive.co.uk The Causeway Telephone: 01642 551381 Town Centre School Swimming Instructor: Ms. Carol Grainger Billingham Venue Contact: Assistant Manager Stockton-on-Tees TS23 2LJ Thornaby Pool Email: thornabypool@teesactive.co.uk Thornaby Road Telephone: 01642 616727 Thornaby School Swimming Instructor: Mrs. Carina Peebles Stocktonon-Tees Venue Contact: Duty Manager TS17 8AA Alternatively, please contact Tees Active s lead officer for all aquatic activities (inc: School Swimming): Diane Wilson Deputy Manager Aquatics Splash Email: diane.wilson@teesactive.co.uk Telephone: 01642 528573 Useful Information You may find the following webpage s and links of some use: Tees Active Ltd: http://www.teesactive.co.uk The ASA (The Amateur Swimming Association is the National Governing Body for swimming): http://www.swimming.org The ASA and School Swimming - http://www.swimming.org/asa/teaching-andcoaching/school-swimming/ The Royal Life Saving Society: http://www.lifesavers.org.uk/ Rookie Lifeguard - http://www.lifesavers.org.uk/rookie/ Get Safe 4 Summer - http://www.swimming.org/parents/get-safe-4-summer/ Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (previously the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management): http://www.cimspa.co.uk 9
Tees Active School Swimming Acceptable and ASA Expected Standards 25metres APPENDIX 1 Front Crawl Back Stroke Breast Stroke ACCEPTABLE STANDARD Head Positioning A consistent attempt to place the face in the water on numerous occasions over 25m. Body Position Semi-streamlined Arms A clear and consistent attempt for arms to recover over the water using an alternating action. Legs The leg kick is an alternating movement. Head Position A consistent attempt to keep the head and ears in the water over 25m. Body Position Semi-streamlined Arms A clear and consistent attempt for arms to recover out of the water and attempt the overhead action using an alternating action. Legs The leg kick is an alternating movement. Head Positioning A consistent attempt to place the face in the water on numerous occasions over 25m. Body Position Semi-streamlined Arms Circular action and a clear and consistent attempt at being symmetrical Legs Circular action and a clear and consistent attempt at being symmetrical EXPECTED STANDARD Head Positioning Face in the water. Controlled turning of the head to inhale air, followed by head returning to centre. Body Position Body flat, eyes look forward and down. Arms Hands slide into the water, fingertip first. Arm recovery easy and relaxed. Elbow higher than hand. Legs The leg kick is a steady, alternating movement originating from the hip. *See ASA Expected Standards Head Position Back of the head in water and held still in a central position. Eyes looking upwards and slightly forward. Body Position Flat / streamlined. Arms Little finger enters beside head with a straight arm. Continuous arm and leg action. Legs The leg kick is a steady, alternating movement originating from the hip with knees slightly bent. *See ASA Expected Standards Head Positioning Air exhaled into the water as swimmer lies in a face-down, streamlined position. Head lifts on the pull. Body Position Streamlined at slight angle. Arms Arms pull side, back and down and then pushed forward to streamline. Legs Legs drawn up to circular, feet turned out as legs driven back to streamline. *See ASA Expected Standards Children may be encouraged by teachers but should be able to complete 25m independently and without constant instruction For both standards the child should achieve the distance competently and on more than 3 occasions to be passed. 10
Tees Active School Swimming Pool Safety Induction APPENDIX 2 The Pool Safety Induction should be completed at the venue during the first week of a new term or whenever a new group of pupils attend lessons. School Day of Lesson Date completed Time of Lesson Names of School Personnel accompanying class. 1. Medical Conditions / Things we should be aware off 2. Swimming Pool Hygiene (shower/toilet/nose) 3. Alarms and Whistles 4. Safety Signs & Emergency Exits 5. Pool Depths 6. Lifeguard Stations 7. Appropriate Swimwear 8. Jewellery 9. Swimming Hats & Goggles 10. Demo of reach/throw rescue 11. Pool Test Ability Groups Completed By.. 11