REDDITCH school pupils have completed their first round of swimming lessons with Sholfins Swim School.
Each week a group of children from Arrow Vale First School and Tenacres First School hop onto a minibus and visit Woodrow First School for their lessons.
Rachael Compton-Wylie, director of Sholfins Swim School, said the children’s progress was amazing.
“Many of our pupils haven’t experienced swimming lessons and were tremendously brave in taking the first steps into the water – some were even shaking with nerves.
“The instructors who are RLSS trained lifeguards and first aid qualified are in the pool with the children to maximise progression no matter the level.
“It wasn’t long though before the Sholfin team had them running, splashing and now swimming across the pool.
“For those pupils who were already strong swimmers the sessions gave them the opportunity to improve their strokes and breathing techniques.”
Not only do the lessons teach the pupils how to swim, they also learn about water safety and what to do if they ever fall into the water
Rachael added: “86 per of the children achieved a distance badge, 57 per cent of which achieved their 25metre distance award as required by the National Curriculum.”
Sarah Allen, Arrow Vale First School headteacher, said: “I honestly do not believe the pupils would have achieved what they have, in such a short time without the support of Rach, Julie and Lisa and the resilience of the Arrow Vale Pupils who are all so determined to succeed.”
Year four children at Tenacres First School also completed a 10-week swimming course.
Many of the children were unable to swim at the start of their lessons, however through the encouragement of the team 77 per cent of the children earned their 25m swimming award, as required by the National Curriculum for KS2.
Jeanette Walters, Tenacres’ deputy headteacher, said: “Alongside this, the children were taught valuable lessons in water safety and what to do in the event of an emergency near water.
“We could not be prouder of them all. Well done.”
