Swimming Pool Partnerships
Monday and Friday afternoons see pupils from four local Primary Schools using the St Albans School pool for their lessons. Head of Partnership organises the employment of local qualified coaches to run these sessions. On Mondays a member of teaching staff supports the classes and acts as a lifeguard. On Fridays two Sixth Form (Year 12) students assist and are the lifeguards.
On Monday afternoons there are three sessions; St Michael’s School and two classes from Prae Wood come for lessons. On Fridays St Peter’s School and Abbey School learn to swim.
Aims
The aim of the project is to provide local Primary Schools who are within walking distance of St Albans School with the opportunity to use our newly built swimming pool and to provide them with quality coaching.
Each class of Primary School children are split into three ability groups and are taught by qualified coaches. The small groups of children of similar ability provides each individual with the best chance to develop their swimming; be it to overcome a fear of the water and take their feet off the bottom, to gifted swimmers who develop their technique.
Helping to provide children with the chance to learn to swim is important as it is vital to their safety around water.
Background
St Albans School pool was opened in 2012 and the School wished to share the benefit of this new facility with members of the local Community. The programme of swimming lessons was therefore set up with four local Primary Schools who were already involved in our Partnership programme. Swimming lessons for the Primary School children in the St Albans School pool started in November of 2012.
Resources
Head of Partnership coordinates the programme, including organising the employment of the swimming coaches. The School sports centre manager provides valued support. The pool and changing facilities as used by the children.
Three qualified swimming coaches are employed to coach each session. Payment of the coaches is subsidised by St Albans School, with the children paying a contribution. Lifeguards and the pool hire cost is covered by St Albans School.
Impact
The children learn to swim in small groups of similar ability. Much positive feedback is given by the accompanying Primary school staff and from parents (see below). Since the beginning of the program we have given the opportuntiy to over 2500 local pupils to learn to swim in our pool and donated over 700 hours of pool time and life-guarding.
'Our Year 4 class is extremely grateful for our swimming time at St Albans School. We began the year with 11 non-swimmers and at the end of Autumn Term, this had dwindled down to 4, with all children now being able to lift their feet up from the bottom. The confidence of all of our children has definitely improved, especially with the individual care and attention given by the instructors. The facilities at the school are superb and make the children's lessons very exciting!"
Pupil Involvement
Two Lower Sixth (Year 12) students assist the coaches on Friday afternoons and act as Lifeguards.
A lifeguarding course is run by the Sports Centre manager in the School pool over the summer holiday, providing students with the opportunity to become qualified.
Frequency
Three session take place on Mondays (1.30 – 2.25pm, 2.15 – 2.45pm & 2.45 – 3.15pm) and two on Fridays (1.30 – 2.25pm & 2.25 – 3.00pm). Lessons continue throughout the academic year. The project is ongoing.