to think they could have given some kind of progress update at swimming lesson?

[soontobeslendergirl]

My two boys have swimming lessons tonight. this is the last day of the term. There are two types of form they get at the end of a term - either a pass certificate for that level or a similar certificate that is a progress sheet that gives info on what they passed in the assessment and what they still need to work on. The assessments were done last week so that they can have a fun night on the last lesson.

Eldest came out with a Progress certificate. Youngest came out with nothing as he has missed the assessment last week because he was ill. This is about the 2nd lesson he has missed in about 7 years, the last one being about 3 years ago I think - he hasn't missed school in 5 years!. I fully understand that they did not assess him as he wasn't there. But surely they see him swim every week so could have issued him with a progress certificate based on what they see every week? There will be no further update until the end of next term which will be just before the summer holidays. It's not like the lessons are free!

If you're concerned about the progress of the lessons, could you speak to the teacher? Have you observed his lessons and seen what has happened?

I don't think a certificate really matters tbh, it's the communication.

Tildy, I'm not concerned, it just seems lazy, there are only 3 children in the group. Surely he could have filled in the form as a visual prompt to my son so he can see the things he needs to work on to complete the level? The teachers were away by the time I realised he didn't have anything (he takes an age in the changing rooms) and he wont be in lessons until after Easter now.

you are right, I'm not bothered whether it is on a certificate, but the progress thing they use looks like the certificate but has check boxes on the back showing what must be achieved and the ones that are okay are ticked and the unticked ones are what they still need to work on - underneath there is a space for teachers comments. It is just a good thing for them to have to show where they are up to but I wouldn't have cared if it had been written on a scrap of paper.

Yeah it's difficult I suppose. I can understand him not having the certificate if he didn't attend the actual assessment, but they really should've made it clear where he stands in terms of progress.

If you've observed the lessons, can you at least ascertain whether or not he's a capable swimmer?

I would try to have a word with the teacher soon, although obviously this is made tricky now the lessons are finished for the time being.

Thanks Tilly, yes, he is a very capable swimmer - he is 11 and on the last level - hoping to do the life saving course next. We don't get in to see them usually as it's at the High school so no place to observe from. I'm not a swimming officianado so I wouldn't get the subtleties of the stroke technique anyway to see what he is lacking without having it pointed out to me. i.e. his brothers sheet says that he doesn't use his legs enough so is relying on the power of his arms to get through the water - fine but not ideal for crawl. butterfly and backstroke but it's affecting his breastroke. And his deep water dive still needs work. Youngest only been at this level for one term so not at point where I would expect him to pass but I would be interested to know where he is with the requirements so far. I'll ask when they go back but not always easy to catch the instructors. The boys are in separate groups, so not the same instructor.