We are very fortunate to share our school site with 'Upton Swimming Pool' a private business we work closely with to enhance swimming opportunities for our children.

Upton children are able to swim as part of their PE lessons - in every year group!  This is a fantastic opportunity for our children; all the more essential as we have the glorious coastline on our doorstep, with the beautiful local beaches to enjoy.

 There is no charge to parents for Upton swimming sessions. During the sessions pupils learn how to swim in four strokes and develop life-saving skills. 

                

                       

 

Swimming takes place termly on a ‘term-on-term-off basis’ throughout the year. Swimming is a statutory requirement of the National Curriculum for all children in England and Wales.  

 

                                                                              

We have specific swimming kit required for these lessons. This protects the pool we’ve all worked so hard to preserve and enables the most effective swimming learning. Having had a pool onsite for many years now there are also lots of other items that make the whole process as simple as possible:

• Swim kit:

  • Boys: tight fitting shorts or trunks. Not long shorts, as these fill with air and are not suitable to learn effectively.

  • Girls: one-piece swimming costume

Without the correct kit children may not be allowed to swim.

• All children need a towel

• All children must have swim hats –even if they have short hair. Not only is it more hygienic but all hair clogs up our filters and we need to minimise this. Swim hats are very cheap to buy and can be found in many supermarkets and sports shops. Do not send in buoyancy aids with pupils as we have plenty of these.

• Children must have any relevant medical items in their bag to take over to the pool.

• Earrings need to be removed. Children are only allowed studs in school, but if these can come out this preserves the pool liner.

• Goggles are recommended so children’s eyes don’t become too tired from underwater swimming

• Girls should consider wearing trousers or bringing spare socks if they usually wear tights on their swimming day, as it is difficult to put on tights in the humid atmosphere. Plaited hair is also easier to manage

• If your child has a verruca, then they need a verruca sock

• Swimming is a statutory part of the National Curriculum, as with all lessons at school. If your child cannot swim for a medical reason we need a letter from parents that explains this.

• If your child is very nervous about swimming, please ensure you make contact either with your class teacher or our learning mentors Ms Danson and Mrs Turner in advance. If this is the case, we can make provision for them to run through pool routines well in advance and sort out any issues.