Kit for school swimming in Primary

[Powerbreakfast]

My DD is in year 7 and will start swimming with school from next week.
Any suggestion for the best kit? (Best Bag, towels...)

Very different from going to the pool with us, they have a 25 minutes walk to reach the pool, so everything should be wet by the time they arrive on rainy days!
Any advice?

Coat, waterproof swim bag, towel, goggles, swimsuit, letter to confirm you are happy for them to wear goggles. That's it.

Do you mean secondary? Surprised at the long walk - swimming is going to be taking up a big chunk of the school day!

Our kids always use Microfibre camping towels because they are light and dry quickly.

I am an idiot, meant she is 7 years old
In year 3!
Wanted to insist on the younger aspect, they really are in primary!

Yes, 25 minutes, nearest pool, no public transport that way really, school has no budget for coach and we were told swimming is mandatory to organise,
Swimming is good, was just wondering about practicalities

My DD starts next week too.

A swimsuit she can get on and off by herself so no complicated criscrossy straps or long sleeves that stick.

I've been taking her to the pool weekly for lessons anyway but recently she's been practicing getting showered and dressed completely by herself. No expectation that she'll actually wash her hair, just a quick rinse to get the chlorine off as she gets eczema.

A waterproof bag for swimsuit and towel so it's doesn't drip through her backpack and down her back.

A hair bobble and brush.

She'll wear her thick school fleece on swimming days as it's made of magic and is super warm while also drying instantaneously. Seriously no natural fibres in this thing at all, it's dry within 5 minutes of taking it out of the washing machine!!

DDs never went swimming with school but did compete with a swim club.

If you don't have a set swimming costume, a black leg suit from Maru (often have sales on) would be good, the longer length gives a bit more security if they are on their period.

Bag wise, I'd buy a dry bag, it'll keep the wet stuff from wetting everything else in her bag. They come in all different sizes and aren't too expensive.

If changing is in individual cubicles Id take a normal microfibre towel that folds up in its own bag but if changing is communal I would get a microfibre changing poncho. It will allow her to get changed quickly without all of the acrobatics of trying to cover herself whilst getting her pants on.

For wet hair, they are expensive but I'd recommend a swimzi bobble hat, they have sherpa lining inside and designed to keep swimmers warm and dry their hair.

X post with her being 7 years old not year 7.

You might want to pop a banana or something in her swim bag too.

At least your school is doing swimming lessons, ours refused as it was too expensive, it's a really deprived area and by the sea and most of the children can't swim as the parents can't afford lessons.

Will be helpful to find out from school what time they leave for the lessons. If they're out the door almost immediately, get her to wear her swimmers under her uniform. DS had a drawstring swim/PE bag from Smiggle which has stood the test of time. Hooded towel is good if she's concerned about privacy when changing (Covid restrictions meant my son had to change at the side of the pool instead of changing rooms). Clean underwear and goggles would be the only other thing she'd really need.

Teacher her to put her knickers and socks on the bench not the floor and hand her bag and coat on the peg with her towel easy to access.

Don’t wear tights swimming days - they’re a nightmare.

Also if she has earrings she can’t take out she needs an earring band to cover them.

Don’t forget the swimming hat.

My DC both have these swimming bags.
Easy to carry, easy to open, big pocket to keep socks and pants dry (or put spare ones in!)
Nice bright colours, so it doesn’t get mixed up with all the Smiggle and Hype bags ubiquitous of DD’s peers.
Waterproof
Good call by pp on microtowel and fleece lined hat

No tights on swimming days!!
School should provide guidance on hats and goggles (mark both with Sharpies)
If your dd is fancying a new hairstyle, new might be the time to go short(er).

Carrier bag, costume (plain colour, simple) towel from airing cupboard

At least your school is doing swimming lessons, ours refused as it was too expensive, it's a really deprived area and by the sea and most of the children can't swim as the parents can't afford lessons.

Swimming is a statutory requirement in primary schools. They can’t just refuse to provide lessons. Schools don’t usually charge for the lessons, but many request a contribution to transport.

@BikeRunSki

My DC both have these swimming bags. Easy to carry, easy to open, big pocket to keep socks and pants dry (or put spare ones in!) Nice bright colours, so it doesn’t get mixed up with all the Smiggle and Hype bags ubiquitous of DD’s peers. Waterproof Good call by pp on microtowel and fleece lined hat

No tights on swimming days!!
School should provide guidance on hats and goggles (mark both with Sharpies)
If your dd is fancying a new hairstyle, new might be the time to go short(er).

Which swim bags please? Interested for my DD.

@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal, sorry, my mistake ! These ones from Amazon (I know…).

Oh they do look good, thanks!

@poppitt58 The school used to have its own outdoor pool until it was filled in in the mid 2000's. Whilst swimming maybe on the NC the school haven't offered it in years, they are an academy so perhaps get around it that way.

It's a real shame as Dd had a swimming party for her 9th birthday and she and one other were the only ones out of 30 that were allowed in the deep end and on the floats. The other children had to stay in the shallow area. She's off to High school this year and we've spent alot of time doing watersports or even just at the beach (walking distance from school) which her peers simply can't access.

Just a simple drawstring bag will suffice. Usual towel, Speedo swimsuit and goggles.

While I applaud the school for putting on swimming lessons (although they have no choice) I'm amazed they're not providing transport. A half-hour lesson is going to take up most of the morning /afternoon with changing etc. It takes ages with a classful of 7 year olds. Has there been no discussion about parents or the PTA contributing to transport?
Besides the equipment mentioned here the best thing you can do is teach your child to dry herself and get dressed and undressed.

The school used to have its own outdoor pool until it was filled in in the mid 2000's. Whilst swimming maybe on the NC the school haven't offered it in years, they are an academy so perhaps get around it that way.

No, they can’t get around it due to being an academy. Academies follow the National Curriculum (I work in one)

This is the link to the NC. www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-physical-education-programmes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-physical-education-programmes-of-study

Scroll down to swimming and water safety.

You’d be well within your rights to go through the complaints procedure (usually head, governors, LA, OFSTED) Water safety is so important, they can’t just remove their obligation.

While I applaud the school for putting on swimming lessons (although they have no choice) I'm amazed they're not providing transport.

My daughter walks 2 miles to the pool and they get a coach back. Budget cuts, meant the school couldn’t afford to subsidise the coach both ways.

@Poppitt58

While I applaud the school for putting on swimming lessons (although they have no choice) I'm amazed they're not providing transport.

My daughter walks 2 miles to the pool and they get a coach back. Budget cuts, meant the school couldn’t afford to subsidise the coach both ways.

That's why I suggested contributions from parents or the PTA. I know this isn't always possible in some areas.

If there are any uniform options definitely stick with skirt and socks for girls, and shoes she can easily get on and off.
I helped my sons class last year, make sure she has a well fitting swimsuit with simple straps. Get a hair turban for her if she has long hair, several girls had these and they really helped. Or put hair in braids or buns which you know won't come out! Don't give goggles, they constantly need adjusting and break.
Most of them manage way better than you'd expect, my son needs micro managing when I take him but he is fine with school!

Thanks all!
Parents do have to pay for the lessons already, so am guessing the school/pta are funding the lessons of families who are struggling.
Sadly there doesn't seem to be any budget for transport to any of the sports/ competitions and even some trips. Parents are asked to provide own transport, but when it’s a weekly event, obviously not possible and swim classes are mid morning which doesn’t help.

It’s a whole other thread, but the lack of funding for school is depressing

@Powerbreakfast

Thanks all! Parents do have to pay for the lessons already, so am guessing the school/pta are funding the lessons of families who are struggling. Sadly there doesn't seem to be any budget for transport to any of the sports/ competitions and even some trips. Parents are asked to provide own transport, but when it’s a weekly event, obviously not possible and swim classes are mid morning which doesn’t help.

It’s a whole other thread, but the lack of funding for school is depressing

I know schools are underfunded, however they are not allowed to ask you to pay, it's a National Curriculum requirement. Transport is another issue

No tights, and label everything. When DD did school swimming she picked out a new towel in the max. Something with a really distinctive pattern will help them figure out who's is who's. And a swim bag with their name on.

IF your dd is fancying a new hairstyle, new might be the time to go short(er).

There are big hair and thick hair swim caps available - worth noting