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Swimming

In the UK, swimming and water safety are part of the National Curriculum for Physical Education (PE). 

 

By the end of Key Stage 2 (age 11), all pupils are expected to:

  • Swim competently, confidently, and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres. 

  • Use a range of strokes effectively (e.g. front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke).

  • Perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.

 

In September 2024, Rakegate children used a pop-up pool everyday for three consecutive weeks which we felt was an effective solution to meeting these swimming targets. Years 4, 5 and 6 were timetabled throughout the three weeks to swim daily; instructed and assessed by the Splash Swim School. 

Key Benefits of Pop-Up Pool Swimming Lessons

1. Accessibility:

  • Provides on-site swimming opportunities, removing the barrier of travel costs or limited pool access. 

 

2. Water Safety Skills:

  • Equips children with life-saving skills such as floating, treading water, and safe entry/exit. 

 

3. Confidence Building: 

  • Introduces hesitant swimmers to a controlled envrionment, helping them overcome fear of water. 

 

4. Physical and Mental Development:

  • Enhances fitness, coordination, and mental focus. 

 

5. Inclusivity:

  • Allows all pupils, regardless of background or financial circumstances, to access swimming lessons. 

 

 

Lesson Objectives for Primary School Swimming (Pop-Up Pool)

 

1. Water Confidence and Introduction 

  • Familiarise children with water through fun activities like splashing, blowing bubbles, and moving around the pool. 

  • Develop basic breathing techniques. 

 

2. Safe Entry and Exit

  • Teach safe pool entry methods such as steps or sitting and sliding in. 

  • Demonstrate safe exits with a focus on stability. 

 

3. Floating and Body Positioning

  • Introduce star floats (on front and back) to improve buoyancy and body awareness. 

 

4. Stroke Development

  • Focus on basic stroke techniques, starting with front crawl and backstroke. 

  • Introduce arm and leg coordination through drills and games. 

 

5. Water Survival Skills

  • Teach pupils how to tread water and perform back floats as survival techniques. 

  • Introduce simple rescue techniques like shouting for help and reaching assists. 

 

6. Distance anf Stamina Building 

  • Gradually increase swimming distances to build endurance and confidence in achieving the 25m requirement. 

 

7. Fun and Engagement

  • Incorporate relay races, games and challenges to keep lessons enjoyable and memorable. 

 

 

Rakegate Children enjoyed their three weeks with the Splash Team and the progress has been amazing! 

'I enjoyed the swimming because not many schools have pop up pools and I felt lucky to have it at school.'

Year 4 Pupil.

'I enjoyed the pop up swimming pop up because we had a swimming lesson everyday for 3 weeks and it was super fun.'

Year 4 Pupil.

'The swimming pool was super safe because I could touch the floor, I started as a non swimmer and completed my school swim in 3 weeks.'

Year 4 Pupil.

'It was great fun because we got to do sport everyday- It was really interesting and I got to learn to swim on my back.' Year 5 Pupil. 

'I felt free when I was swimming  and it was great to go swimming with my friends everyday.'

Year 5 Pupil. 

'The pop up swimming pool accelerated my learning and taught me how to use a range of strokes.'

Year 6 Pupil. 

'Swimming everyday was way better than previously swimming just once a week, it was so much fun.'

Year 6 Pupil. 

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