Parents information leaflet for pupils attending KS2 School Swimming Lessons

Hints and tips for parents with children having school swimming lessons

Appropriate swimwear should be worn by your child for the swimming lesson

It is strongly recommended that children wear close fitting costumes / trunks or fully lined swimming shorts.

Only clothing made and sold for the specific purposes of swimming is permitted, however, for recognised medical, cultural and religious reasons it is acceptable for close fitting Lycra leggings etc. to be worn in addition to the above.

Please note, the categories below are not intended to be prescriptive. Where appropriate, swimwear may be chosen from either category.

Examples of male swimwear which would be considered acceptable under this guidance

Examples of female swimwear which would be considered acceptable under this guidance

Emergency procedures

On the first visit to the pool your child will be taken through all the Emergency Procedures. This includes a safety talk delivered by one of the swimming teachers and will include pupils listening to the pool alarm and the fire alarm.

Hygiene at the swimming pool

Pupils should go to the toilet before going onto poolside, pupils with long hair should wear swimming caps or tie their hair back. If your child has had diarrhoea they should not swim for two weeks.

Jewellery

It is recommended that jewellery should not be worn during the swimming lesson. If the swimming teacher is of the opinion that your child is wearing an item of jewellery that could be a hazard to your child, or any other child, he/she will be asked to remove it before entering the water. The swimming teacher will not accept responsibility for any item of jewellery and it should be given to the school teacher.

Swim goggles

Your child does not have to wear swimming goggles, however, if your child is experienced at using goggles they can be worn, but if wearing the goggles leads to your child delaying or disrupting the lesson by playing with them he / she will be asked to remove them. Please be aware that goggles can cause eye injuries and manufacturer’s instructions must be followed.

During the lesson

Your child will be provided with armbands if necessary. They will experience swimming in shallow water and in deep water with as many aids as necessary to make them feel safe.

They will learn a variety of skills.

Your child may also experience swimming in their clothes during their swimming lesson. Clothes must be clean, light weight and easily removed.

There are a range of badges and certificates that your child can achieve during their swimming lesson and these are reported to your child’s school teacher throughout the year and badges can be bought if wished through your child’s school teacher.

Key Stage 2 National Curriculum for Swimming

The main aim of the school swimming lesson is for your child to enjoy swimming and for them to achieve their Key Stage 2 National Curriculum for Swimming, which is:

1. Self-rescue
2. Swim 10 metres Breast stroke
3. Swim 10 metres Back crawl
4. Swim 10 metres Front crawl
   (2 out of the 3 strokes required)
5. Swim 25 metres

If your child can or does reach their Key Stage 2 National Curriculum for swimming during their swimming lesson there are a range of other awards and aquatic skills that can be offered to your child.

Download or print a copy of this information

You can download a copy of this leaflet (PDF).