to question school about their swimming lessons - because there's a charge?

[youarewinning]

DS (8) is year 4. He starts year 5 in September and they do 10 weeks of swimming lessons. It states they have 3 groups.

They ask for a 'voluntary' contribution of £25 per child (is subsidised by school) but also state if you can't afford it this term to speak to the office about paying it next term no pressure then?

I asked the swimming lesson manager where DS has his lessons what the school arrangements usually are because they provide 3 instructors.
Was told that its a beginners, intermediate and advanced group.

She then told me the advanced group usually only did from the deep end to the steps (about 15m) and stuck to front crawl and back stroke, diving under for bricks etc,

Now, I know DS isn't an olympic swimmer and not the only one of his age that will be an able swimmer but I pay £20 a month for his lessons where he swims lengths, does all 4 strokes and has just completed his 400m.

AIBU to question the school about what provision they will have to develop DS's swimming skills before agreeing to pay for them?

I know I sound an arse but I'm broke

Thanks for all your replys.

I guess the average cost per week is low - and it is for coach, lesson and instructor.

I guess my main concern is knowing DS, if he' bored he'll play up. I know that people will say tough and learn to deal with it - but he' been referred to CAMHS as he has developmental and social difficulties.

I'll tell school I cannot afford it this term and ask about what the lessons entail - in a general question way. At least then I have 3 months to explain to DS about what he'll be doing and get him to realise before he goes it won't be how he expects it to be!

I might add - my DS is extremely behind in literacy because of his problems - I had wondered if it would be more beneficial for him to have extra support, do literacy with another class instead.

Whats difficult is he won't enjoy swimming if its not what he expects but he won't enjoy the literacy either.

sorry, can't afford it this term but will pay next one.

My dd got her half mile badge in the school swimming lessons!

"I might add - my DS is extremely behind in literacy because of his problems - I had wondered if it would be more beneficial for him to have extra support, do literacy with another class instead."
Exactly. There is no requirement under the NC to provide swimming at this stage in your child's education. (Those above saying that swimming is a requirement of the NC are WRONG - it isn't that straightforward).
That is why at my school I think we will be cutting swimming to the minimum and spending the money elsewhere to support interventions and focus group learning. I think a big part of the problem is that many parents think they are entitled to swimming for their children when they are not, and therefore think that if they don't pay it will continue anyway. It won't.

our primary do ten weeks swimming in year3, dd2 is doing it atm at a cost of 30. My dc have all been having swimming lessons for the last two years so are fairly confident anyway but i am of the opinion that they can only benefit from the extra practice. Plus they love the coach trip with their friends.

Thanks, the differing opinions are definatly food for thought.

Thankfully after meeting with school tonight (seperate issue as DS has been referred due to social difficulties) they are very on board with him. I think they'll agree the change of what DS will expect in a swimming lesson to what DS will actually get in a school lesson may be too much and cause problems.

schoolgovernor Thanks, very interesting to get your views and certainly something to consider when speaking to the school.

I teach in a senior school that offers swimming lessons to local primaries and I help staff the sessions. In one there is a very able swimmer and he loves the opportunity to show off a little bit and he actually helps the others too. I imagine he would be gutted if he wasn't allowed to go. As for the money, well, we employ three teachers for 30 kids, which allows the weakest 4-5 have someone in the water with them and they have progressed hugely. They have to be paid for, unfortunately.

Has the NC changed SchoolGovernor as only last term I had to apply to head to get opt my son out of his swimming lessons and had a fight on my hands.

I spoke to IPSEA at the time and they too said it was a NC requirement so I would be removing him from the curriculum and that I might have to prove he could fulfill the NC requirements which I found on the LA website - it actually is more than 25m but is 50m (25m must be continuous and in a recognisable stroke), treading water and sculling...

As it was my son's teacher told him to get a grip discussed it further with the head and my son was allowed to miss lessons though I had to provide the provision, even though he has a full time statement

Can't see how I, the head, IPSEA and my son's teacher all missed that swimming wasnt part of the NC

Our charges are the same:

£2.50 per week x 30 children = £75 per week contribution.

The cost of a coach (return trip) to our local pool is about £150 per week, so school funds are already subsidising the cost of transport.

Size of our school budget deficit this year: -£7000 (the much publicised ring-fencing has been a bit of a laugh as schools are forced to buy in services from the private sector as LA control weakens).

Things are getting very tough, and they're likely to get tougher. Expect more requests for contributions.

free in ds primary all lessons from yr 2-yr6.

yes I always thought it was part of the NC too. Doesn't sound as though it is any more from what schoolgovernor says