Martin Langston, Director of Sport at St Albans School, on the critical importance of developing water confidence in all children
Following a report in a national newspaper earlier this year revealing that one third of UK children cannot swim unaided, it seems that British schools are in a state of crisis on swimming delivery. Many children have not returned to physical activity post-pandemic, prompting fears of neglect around water safety.
Feeling confident around water is a vital life skill, which is why swimming is included in the PE National Curriculum. However, it is becoming increasingly challenging to meet the expectation that all children by the end of KS2 (age 11) will be able to swim with some confidence. Often the key factor in young people becoming proficient and safe swimmers is parental encouragement, which is why bridging the gap between school and home is so crucial.
For many schools, the cost of providing swimming lessons has increased significantly, not least due to rising transport hire and fuel costs. Another factor is cultural, with some faith groups having different beliefs around swimming activities in school. Observational practices, such as separating genders or having different expectations or associations with swimming, may be another factor that reduces engagement. This makes the provision of adequate lessons for all more challenging and constrained. Greater flexibility in approaches and adequate staffing to support children’s requirements is urgently needed but is not viable for all schools.
Where independent schools can make a real difference, is by providing local schools within their community with access to pool facilities. Being local often means that pupils from nearby schools can walk to the facilities, dramatically reducing the transportation costs that parents would otherwise have to pay. As part of our own partnership arrangements, we provide pool access twice weekly to several local primary schools with the aim of helping them to improve their students’ swimming. We also provide lifeguarding cover for these sessions, delivered by students in our Lower Sixth. Our students have the opportunity to take their lifesaving and first-aid qualifications in school, which makes these swimming partnerships hugely beneficial for both sides.
Swimming is, and has always been, a lifelong activity – it can have a significant positive impact on people’s lives, both physically and mentally. The importance of building water confidence in early years cannot be underestimated and this makes swimming an activity that must be accessible to everyone. Swimming lessons outside of school are often in high demand, with many pools having long waiting lists, so by sharing pool provision, schools such as ours provide access to the vital swimming lessons that could one day save a life.
Developing good foundation skills around water from a young age also ensures safety when engaging in all other aquatic pursuits – including sailing, kayaking and paddle boarding. At St Albans School, we deliver teaching and training in a variety of formats from stroke development and life-saving techniques to synchronised swimming and sports such as water polo. These activities develop skills and enrich our students’ experience around water. Mastering a variety of water-based activities helps them stay active throughout school and into their future lives. Indeed, water confidence is both a life saver and a life enhancer.
St Albans School st-albans.herts.sch.uk
Further reading: Turtle Tots on the vital importance of early water confidence
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