Teaching swimming in the PE curriculum for Key Stages One and Two.
FOR MANY CHILDREN, SCHOOL SWIMMING IS THEIR FIRST AND ONLY OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO A POOL, HAVE SWIMMING LESSONS, BE TAUGHT TO SWIM AND LEARN TO BE SAFER IN AND AROUND WATER.
I for one never want that opportunity to be taken away just because ‘we’ couldn’t get it right or do a better job.
And honestly? We can….
Since 1992 conversations about curriculum swimming have been more or less one- way.
‘Swimming’ talking to Government and to Primary Schools.
‘Specialists’ talking to the non specialists.
Times change. It is likely I think that the starting points for those conversations need to change too.
Over the years I have developed a modular training programme for Primary School teachers and staff. It is based on their existing good practice in teaching and learning and a ‘common foundation skill’ approach to teaching swimming which they are immediately familiar with.
It requires a different sort of conversation altogether.
The model I have developed builds on the professionalism and professional skills of staff in primary schools. It develops competencies and confidence; it inspires and motivates but above all it empowers them to be able to successfully deliver curriculum PE and swimming outcomes.
It is about simplifying rather than complicating.
It is also about challenging approaches which have been less than successful in the past.
So, I have tried to create space here, not only for anyone who is involved in teaching swimming and looking for a fresh, more independent view of things… BUT ESPECIALLY for schoolteachers and staff looking for ideas and resources to increase their confidence and to support effective and successful delivery of the three Key Stage 1 and Curriculum requirements for Swimming and Water Safety.
Curriculum swimming lessons should be integrated within and reflect the broader, educational elements of teaching and learning in the whole curriculum as well as in PE.
Curriculum swimming can and should be so much more than just learning to swim.
The planning and delivery of school swimming lessons and the planning and delivery for most lessons programmes offered commercially, is NOT the same.
No one underestimates the barriers and difficulties many schools have to overcome in order to get their children to a pool.
But having the opportunity, with your class, to learn how to enjoy the experience of physical activity in water and to Learn To Swim and to be SAFE or safer in and around water, is still one of the very special, unique and literally wonderful things our Primary Curriculum can offer ALL CHILDREN, irrespective of background or geography…
IF NOT YOU (and ME) – THEN WHO?
Going Horizontal 