UPDATED September 2025

SAFE PRACTICE IN SCHOOL SWIMMING

Contents

1. INTRODUCTION
2. RESPONSIBILITIES
3. TEACHER TO PUPIL RATIOS
4. SAFE SUPERVISION ON POOLSIDE
5. SUPERVISION OF CHANGING ROOMS
6. LIFEGUARD PROVISION
7. RECORDS
8. RISK ASSESSMENT
9. NORMAL OPERATING PROCEDURE (NOP)
10. EMERGENCY ACTION PLANS
11. POOL RULES
12. DIVING
13. SWIM ENGLAND GUIDANCE ON WEARING JEWELLERY

1.       INTRODUCTION

• Swimming is an important life skill. In addition, it is a highly beneficial activity for acquiring an increased movement vocabulary and skills, for health, for enjoyment and as a threshold skill, giving access to many other water-based recreational activities.  It is one of the few activities that people can enjoy all their life either on their own or with friends and family of the same or different ages, whether just for fun or competitively.
• Nonetheless, it is one of the few recreational or teaching activities which also carries with it the evident hazards of death through drowning or injury by brain damage through near drowning. The teaching and learning of swimming and water safety therefore requires the utmost care on the part of all concerned.
• The purpose of this document is to provide guidance on safe practice in school swimming.
• Each school whose pupils take part in swimming has a responsibility to ensure that it takes action to safeguard staff and pupils. It should be aware of:
  • the Risk Assessmentfor the pool
  • the Normal Operating Procedure (NOP)
  • the Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
  • pool rules
  • any special needs or medical conditions of pupils.
• This document sets out the policies and procedures of SHARES Swimming Project in relation to swimming pool safety at Nye Bevan Swimming Pool.

2.       RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1       SHARES Swimming Project

SHARES Swimming has responsibility for providing the safety policy, guidance and procedures for school swimming, and ensures that its employees receive any necessary training to carry out their delegated tasks.

2.2       School responsibility

Each school should ensure that a nominated member of staff is delegated the responsibility of swimming coordinator and applying the swimming pool safety policy and procedures in the school.

2.3       Teaching staff

Teachers have a duty of care that operates for any activity in which children are involved; teachers cannot transfer that duty of care to anyone else.  The law has often described this responsibility as equivalent to the standard expected of a reasonable and careful parent.  This applies to all activities within the school curriculum and to extra-curricular activities organised by the school during and outside school hours, whether on or off the school site.

In relation to swimming this means that:

• children are appropriately supervised when changing
• pupils are under control at all times
• a headcount is taken before, during and after sessions
• normal and emergency procedures are enforced
• teachers have an overview of the teaching of their children and the conduct of the class.
• Assist swim staff when needed
  • School Support Staff

School support staff can be extremely helpful and may be essential, to support the delivery of swimming in school and in the extended curriculum, whether on or off site. They can:

• support and work beside teachers
• supervise changing
• administer first aid
• look after any unwell children or children who are not swimming.
• Assist swim staff when needed

2.5 Swimming instructors

All Swimming instructors who are employed by SHARES hold the relevant Swim England or STA teaching qualification and have been DBS checked. They have responsibility for ensuring the safe conduct of the class in the water and on poolside, in line with good practice and their training, which includes:

• planning, developing and monitoring the swimming programme
• preparing schemes of work appropriate to pupils’ ages, abilities and interests
• co-operating with the class teacherto check numbers of pupils before, during and after each session
• identifying specific groups for each swimming session
• being familiar with the Normal Operating Procedure (NOP) & Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for the pool
• being familiar with the emergency equipment provided
• running emergency drills every term with each class taught
• working with the lifeguards on duty or, if there are no lifeguards, providing lifesaving and first aidskills on their own or with others
• entering the water and effecting a rescue if necessary.

They will organise class-teaching staff who maintain their duty of care for the children.  A fully qualified instructor will always be present when children are being taught swimming.

2.6 Lifeguards

Pool operators have a responsibility for the safety of all who use their pools.  Whenever children swim, there must be someone present with appropriate life guarding, rescue and first aid skills this must be a qualified pool lifeguard

The person responsible for life guarding, rescue and first aid will:

• be familiar with the pool NOP& EAP
• maintain constant observation of the pool and pool users
• carry out rescues and initiate any other emergency action required
• be able to effect a rescue from the bottom of the deepest part of the pool
• administer first aid
• prevent unsafe activities
• ensure that the pool is never left unsupervised whilst in use
• assist in the running of emergency drills
• secure the pool against unauthorised access when not in use
• communicate with children and/or teaching staff to achieve the above.

Lifeguards must work with class teachers and teachers of swimming.  Lifeguard instructions for safe conduct in the pool should be followed at all times.

3.       TEACHER TO PUPIL RATIOS

3.1       Each pool will have a designated maximum bather capacity appropriate to the size of the pool, which should be specified in the Normal Operating Procedure.

3.2       Pupil/teacher ratios must not exceed 20:1 and for the vast majority of cases in primary school swimming should be less than this.  The following ratios are based upon safety considerations rather than teaching requirements:

Beginners 12:1

Learners with or without flotation aids that cannot swim 10m comfortably and safely.

Improving swimmers 20:1

Learners who have mastered stroke technique and have the ability to swim 10m comfortably and safely.

Mixed ability groups 20:1

Should not include beginners and all should be able to swim 25m minimum. Mixed ability group are often necessity when managing school groups.

Competitive swimmers 30:1

The number of swimmers should fit the lane/area. The ratio should reflect the swimming competence of the swimmer and the activity taking place.

Learners with Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities 1 to 1 upwards

Each situation must be considered independently as people with disabilities are not a homogenous group.

The Disability Discrimination Act ensures that disabled persons may not be treated less well than any other person.  Policies and procedures or physical changes to the environment may need to be put in place for children with disabilities to swim.

Observer ratio: a minimum of one observer is required per standard pool. It is recommended that there be one observer per teaching group but where two groups are working alongside each other, or in areas clearly visible from one point, one observer may be adequate. In cases where there are three or more teaching groups in one pool, there must be at least two observers. Please be aware that an excessive number of observers can create problems if there is insufficient room on the poolside.

4. SAFE SUPERVISION ON POOLSIDE

4.1 Everyone providing a lifesaving role – whether as lifeguards, teachers and coaches, should hold an appropriate lifesaving qualification.

4.2 A lifeguard may not be required in programmed sessions when the teaching and coaching of swimming is taking place. In these situations where the risk is limited due to the nature of the activity and the degree of control exercised, the teacher or coach may provide the safety cover if they have an appropriate lifesaving qualification.

4.3 The appropriate lifesaving competencies should include rescue skills, Cardio- Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and knowledge of relevant site specific aspects of the Pool Operating Procedures (PSOP).

4.4 Where teachers are directly responsible for supervising the swimming pool, preforming the role of a lifeguard in and un-programmed pool session, they too should have the same level of competencies and skills requires of a lifeguard in those circumstances.

4.5 Where the pool is in shared use and clearly divided between programmed and un-programmed swimming activities, suitably qualified teachers and coaches may take responsibility (both for lifeguard cover and teaching/coaching) but only for the programmed area of the pool and within an agreed ratio of learners to teachers.

4.6 Where the shared use is not clearly defined between programmed and un-programmed activities, this would require the lifeguard staffing of the pool to take into consideration all swimmers in the pool.

4.7 Helpers and support teachers who do not have a lifesaving competency can play a valuable role in supporting qualified staff responsible for the safe delivery of programmed pool activities by acting as additional ‘spotters’ and class organisers.

4.8 School teaching and support staff are counted within the ratios during school sessions, they must not leave the poolside unless absolutely necessary.

5.       SUPERVISION OF CHANGING ROOMS

5.1       Children should be supervised whilst changing:

• if using open-plan single-sex changing areas then only staff of the appropriate gender should enter the changing room, unless in an emergency.
• if children under the age of seven are swimming, a mixed gender group may use an open-plan single-sex changing room, if schools do not have the staff (teachers and/or School Support Staff) of the appropriate number or gender to supervise children in their own-sex changing room. In a public pool this will need to be notified to, and approved by, the pool management.

5.2       Teachers sometimes have to operate a remote supervision procedure when gender balance is not appropriate. This can only happen where the children are responsible enough and mature enough to take on significant personal responsibility whilst changing. In order to protect themselves, two members of staff should operate together when controlling by voice through the doorway or entering changing areas in an emergency.

5.3       Where changing takes place in open plan public single sex changing rooms and the school is unable to provide staff of each gender, a specific arrangement must be made with the pool management to provide a suitable member of staff to patrol the changing area whilst children are present. This member of staff must have child protection training. To ensure that the allocated member of staff is not left alone with a single child all children must wait until everyone is together before moving off.

5.4      Staff and children should try to remain in the changing room area until their lesson is due to start, to avoid congestion with other schools and public on the poolside.

6.       LIFEGUARD PROVISION

6.1       Someone must always have the responsibility for life guarding / rescue and resuscitation, and must be suitably trained and qualified. Ideally the lifeguard should be provided by the pool and will hold a current National Pool Lifeguard Qualification*.

7.       RECORDS

7.1       SHARES is responsible for ensuring all records of qualifications of those involved in the teaching of swimming are maintained, kept up to date and available for inspection if required.

7.2       Records of incidents and accidents that occur in the swimming pool or pool area should also be maintained and should be available for inspection.  An annual review of these will assist with the review of the risks associated with school swimming.

7.3       Records of pupils achievement will be kept on the SHARES online system and these records will be sent to each school at the end of term.

8.       RISK ASSESSMENT

8.1       Each pool and each session, the children and the staff participating will all have unique features that make particular demands upon safety.  Each pool and each session must therefore be dealt with individually.

            The Pool Manager should arrange an induction course on the NOP and EAP to ensure that all staff are clear about how the pool operates and the role they will have to play in an emergency.

8.1.1    The school swimming co-ordinator will:

• ensure the risk assessments for each session (7.2.b) have been carried out by the teacher in charge of the session.
• All staff attending school swimming need to read the SHARES Swimming in safe practice document to ensure they have knowledge and know the correct procedures.

8.2       Swimming attire

8.2.1    It is the responsibility of the school to ensure girls wear a one-piece swimming costume and boys wear swimming trunks or swimming shorts that are above the knee. It is important that swimming clothing is relatively tight fitting so as to minimise the effect of drag that water-logged clothing can create and should conform to safety, cultural and teaching requirements. Sensitivity is required to ensure:

• the correct balance when cultural demands require looser fitting garments
• the need to be able to see the movements that limbs and joints are making in the water to ensure appropriate learning

8.2.2    Pupils should not be excluded from swimming because of verrucae or similar foot infections.

8.2.3   Children who swim frequently or whose eyes are susceptible to irritation may request to use goggles for swimming. Parents should be informed of their responsibility to teach their child to put on and take off goggles in the correct and safe fashion.

8.2.4  Children who chose to wear goggles must have parental consent form signed and is kept with school.

8.2.5 All jewellery must be removed.

8.2.6  All children must wear a swimming hat. Unless there are exceptional circumstances and this has been cleared by the School and SHARES swim team.

8.3 Risk assessing School Staff

8.3.1 A risk assessment should be carried out by each school to identify lead members of staff and support staff.

8.3.2 A lead member of staff is a Qualified Teacher or TA, dependant on Qualifications and experience, who is deemed competent by the Headteacher and can be counted in ratios.

8.3.3 Support staff who cannot be counted in ratios when attending swimming, should be identified by the school.

9.       NORMAL OPERATING PROCEDURE (NOP)

9.1       Schools will need to be aware of the NOP in order to ensure that they do what is expected of them to keep themselves and others safe, and aware of the EAP to know what to do in an emergency.

9.2       Staff will need to be trained to follow the safety rules included in these procedures and should practice emergency procedures at the start of each term with the children in their classes.

9.3       Teacher position

9.3.1    The swimming teacher in charge of the group should be teaching from the side of the pool where the whole group can be seen and from where feedback can be given on the performance of each pupil in the group.

9.3.2    There may be some circumstances in which it is appropriate for the teacher or a classroom assistant to be in the water supporting individual children, but this would be the exception rather than the rule and only following a careful risk assessment of all the potential factors at play (depth of water, pupil ability, use of flotation aids, size of pool, number and age of pupils, life guarding arrangements).

9.3.3    The teacher or assistant in charge of a group must always ensure that they can see all the pupils and NEVER turn their back on a group or position themselves so that pupils are behind them.

9.3.4    When teaching or instructing non-swimmers or weak swimmers in surface diving or underwater swimming the teacher of the group should be positioned on poolside at the point nearest to that activity, but so that they can also see the rest of the class.

• If there is glareon the pool surface and the bottom of the pool cannot be clearly seen the teacher / lifeguard should position themselves so that the light does not bounce back into their eyes as glare
• Teachers that are not involved in teaching swimming should none the less be positioned such that they are able to support the swimming instructor in the control of children but not so as to be in the way of those working on poolside.
• Teacher clothing and equipment

9.4.1    Teachers should change into suitable footwear to be able to move easily around poolside and not bring outdoor dirt onto the pool surround on their feet.  They should wear clothes suitable to the humidity and temperatures of the pool.

• Safety Equipment

9.5.1    All pools must be equipped with a means of raising an alarm and summoning support in the event of an accident or incident.

9.5.2    There should be a long pole at either side of the pool to reach and rescue anyone in difficulties without getting into the water.

9.5.3    Adequate buoyancy aids and first aid equipment, including a blanket should be immediately to hand.

9.5.4    Pool depths should be clearly marked on the walls of the pool and teachers should explain their significance to pupils, especially beginners.

9.5.5    All signs should be compliant with the Safety Signs and Signals Regulations.

9.5.6    A pool divider, usually a rope, will be in place to divide school swimming with public swimming.

• First Aid Arrangements

• It is the responsibility of the pool operator to ensure that there is a first aider on site.

9.6.2    In the event of an accident occurring which requires first aid, this must be recorded on a SHARES accident form and the school should request a copy for their own records, there will also be a copy of these stored in the SHARES office.

9.6.3    Accidents where a pupil is hospitalised should be reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR)

10. EMERGENCY ACTION PLANS

10.1     An Emergency Action Plan details what everyone should do in the event of a reasonably foreseeable emergency.  This might include:

• overcrowding
• disorderly behaviour
• assault
• lack of water clarity
• fire
• bomb threat
• structural failure
• emission of toxic gases
• serious injury to swimmer
• discovery of a casualty in the pool

10.2     The procedure should explain how to clear the pool and/or evacuate the building / site, the roles of all the staff involved, how to call for help and what help to give to the people involved.

10.3     Notices need to be displayed to advise pool users of the arrangements in the event of an emergency.

10.4     Exit doors and signs, firefighting equipment and alarm points need to be checked regularly to ensure that they are working and accessible

10.5     All fire doors must always be operable without the aid of a key the pool is in use.  These should be checked at the start of every day.

11.     POOL RULES

11.1     The pool rules should be explained to all pupils before their first swimming lesson.  Pupils should be reminded at the start of each term, ideally when the emergency procedures are tested and checked with pupils.

• never go onto poolside until a member of staff is present
• do not enter the water until instructed to do so
• no running on poolside
• no chewing gum or eating sweets or other food on poolside
• no shouting or whistling
• no jumping in or divingin, except under instruction
• no pushing others in
• no holding others under the water or deliberately splashing them
• no jewellery to be worn
• no outdoor shoes on poolside
• swim caps to be worn
• to leave the pool on one long blast of the whistle
• all instructions from staff to be obeyed promptly
• no mobile phones

11.2     There may also be rules for lifeguards to follow to ensure that they remain vigilant at all times.  Where appropriate* these techniques should also be practiced by school staff in supporting qualified lifeguards.

• never leave the poolside unattended*
• always secure poolside against unauthorised access when it is not manned*
• never turn their backs on the pool or engage in any behaviour which results in not watching the pool when on lifeguard duty*
• divide the area up into zones and use techniques to constantly scan the area, counting heads, watching out for vulnerable or weak swimmers*
• keep alert, move position every five minutes or so – sit, stand, patrol
• rotate off poolside at least once in every hour and a half.

12.     DIVING

12.1     Additional hazards are created when swimmers are allowed to dive into the pool.  These needs to be carefully managed.

• no diving shall be permitted in less than 1.8 metres of water depth or with less than 7.6m forward clearance.
• diving blocks and stages must conform to Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) /Swim England However, these should not normal be used as they require specialist teaching and are subject to prior arrangement with the pool.

13. 1 SWIM ENGLAND GUIDANCE ON WEARING JEWELLERY

Swim England are frequently asked “what our policy is with regards to swimmers wearing jewellery and other items on their bodies, such as watches, whilst swimming.”

As a general rule these items should be removed whilst swimming; the principal reason for this is that many of these items, such as rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets may have sharp edges and could accidently scratch or cut other swimmers in the event of a collision or become entangled with lane ropes, water polo goals or other pool equipment in use.

Additionally, when swimming, particularly in colder water, fingers tend to shrink slightly and rings often fall off, earrings often come loose and detach, necklaces are caught and break and are lost in the pool circulation system and are very rarely recovered.

However, it is also understood that on occasion such items cannot be removed for a variety of reasons:

• They are too tightly appended i.e. rings
• They are too complicated to remove i.e. multiple face rings and studs
• For religious reasons they may not be removed

In these instances, the hazardous items and their associated risk should be assessed.

It may be possible, for example in the case of a woven hair bracelet, simply to permit the item to be left on without further precautions.

Nevertheless, in most cases it is advisable for the jewellery item to be covered:

• Earrings can be covered by a swim cap
• Rings can be covered by a waterproof Elastoplast
• Bracelets and watches can be covered by a fabric wristband
• Toe rings and anklets can be covered by a verruca sock