Swimming Policy

Rationale

The school has regard for both the physical and mental development of its pupils. Being able to swim is an invaluable life skill that will support the child’s safety around water throughout their lifetime. Believing that a healthy body promotes a healthy mind, the school arranges for a 7 week block of swimming lessons for every class from 2nd to 6th during the school year.

Aims and Objectives

The revised policy is geared towards:

• ●  Ensuring that pupils acquire basic swimming skills

• ●  To comply with the Aquatics strand of the PE curriculum

• ●  To address the risk of harm during swimming lessons as identified in the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement

● To safeguard staff members’ integrity relating to Child Protection matters.

Procedures Guidelines

• ●  Each pupil from 2nd to 6th class will attend a 7 week session of swimming lessons annually.

• ●  The local swimming pool in Athlone Regional Sports Centre is reserved for the use of St.

  Mary’s Primary School pupils alone during this time.

● Parents/guardians will receive a letter providing information on school swimming before their child starts their swimming term.

● Costs incurred by hiring of the pool, paying for instructors and bus will necessitate a charge per pupil. Inability to pay will not preclude a pupil from participating fully in swimming lessons.

● The Principal and Deputy Principal will organize the swimming timetable for all classes from 2nd to 6th class.

● As Aquatics forms party of the PE curriculum, it is recommended that all pupils in the relevant classes participate in the swimming lessons. A doctor’s note will be required for total exemption from the swimming programme. Children who are unwell on an occasional day should

-1- bring a letter of explanation to the class teacher and will be allowed to remain in school under the supervision of another teacher.

● In the best interest of the child, it is the duty of parents/guardians to inform the class teacher and/ or Principal with regard to any health condition that may affect the child in the pool. This information will be held in confidence and provided on a need-to-know basis to the swimming instructors.

● Instruction in the pool will generally be provided by 2-3 instructors per session (class numbers dependent), thereby allowing for levelled swimming groups. Swimming instructors are qualified and Garda vetted. Instructors are responsible for allocating children to the various levels.

● Children should wear their school tracksuit on swimming days. Parents are asked to ensure that all items are labelled with child’s name. Time is limited so children are encouraged not to bring shampoo/shower gel to the pool.

● Deodorants, shampoo, shower gel etc. must not be brought to the pool as the dressing rooms are confined areas.

● There is not enough time to fully dry children’s hair with a hair dryer, therefore it is recommended that a silicone swimming hat be worn as per pool policy and that children will long hair wear their hair tied up.

Travel & Supervision Arrangements

● Classes will travel to and from the pool by private bus. Children will be accompanied and supervised by relevant teachers on the bus. In the event where more than one bus is needed, at least one teacher will travel on each bus.

● For children who have access to SNA due to a primary care need, the SNA will accompany the child. Where the care need involves the administration of medication e.g. epilepsy, the SNA will take responsibility for same.
● Teacher will go to reception and inform staff of class arrival, asking for hand over of changing room. Pool staff will be responsible for assuring changing rooms are empty and ready for St. Mary’s use exclusively.

● St. Mary’s staff and pupil will adhere to procedures and protocols of Athlone Regional Sports Centre such as:

-one way entry and exit
-not to attend if displaying symptoms of COVID -children to have their own swimming hat and goggles -swimming hat to be worn at all times while in pool

● Teachers and SNAs will provide supervision before and after the swimming lessons, standing at changing room door encouraging children to get ready quickly. (Door ajar – teacher calls into pupils but does not enter changing room).

● At least one teacher remains poolside for the duration of the lesson.

Pupils with Special Educational Needs

● SNA’s will give assistance to the pupils in their care before and after swimming lessons. They will also be available at all time during the lesson if the child is no longer taking part in a lesson. Any such actions will be based on the care needs of the pupil and will be outlined as part of the child’s Personal Pupil Plan.

● SNA’s are not required to enter the water with the child. They do not have sufficient training to do so. It is the responsibility of the swimming instructor to teach all pupils. It is the decision of the swimming pool whether a pupil is capable of being in a group swimming lesson or an individual one. This depends on the ability of the individual child in the water. If the child requires an individual instructor, then the cost is incurred by the parent/guardian. This decision may be reached prior to or after the child’s first lesson in the pool.

● In relation to school tours, where classes are visiting a swimming pool or adventure centre involving water, the same procedures apply. SNA’s are not required to enter the water with the child in their care. If a parent/guardian feels like their child needs individual assistance in the water, a staff member from the given establishment may be employed and the cost of same is incurred by the parent/guardian.

Health and Safety

Best practice in relation to the supervision, instruction and child protection procedures as outlined by the Irish Sports Council, Swim Ireland and the National Safety Council will be adhered to at all times. Staff will follow the guidelines of Children First Act 2015. Pupils are required to behave at all times in a manner that ensures the safety of all involved in school swimming. Pupils must obey the instructor’s orders at all times and comply with the school’s Code of Behaviour Policy and the pool’s Health and Safety Guidelines.

Roles and Responsibilities

All relevant staff, under the leadership of the Principal, have an input into the effective implementation of this Swimming Policy.

It is the responsibility of the Principal and staff to implement this policy under the guidance of the school’s Board of Management.

Success Criteria/Evaluation

The success this policy is measured through:

• ●  Participation and progress in the Aquatic strand of the PE curriculum by pupils

• ●  Safe and effective care of all pupils in the school.

• ●  Teacher vigilance.

• ●  Feedback from parents/guardians and from pupils themselves.

Ratification, Review & Communication

This policy was ratified by the Board of Management of St. Mary’s Primary School in 2024. It will be reviewed again in 3 years or as the need arises. It has been communicated to all relevant staff and the parent body. It is available for the wider school community on our website.

Signed on behalf of the Board of Management:

______________________________ Philip Gillen Chairperson B.O.M.

Date:____________________________

______________________________ Ailish Mc Manus Principal

Date:____________________________