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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed at DS's swimming teacher?

11 replies

hateswimmimg · 07/10/2013 22:41

My DS is 8 and at stage 5 in swimming.He is not as strong a swimmer as other kids in his class but is doing ok.

Today was the last day of term,so the last 15 mins is fun play...all the other kids were in lane 2 of the pool with inflatables and floats,except DS who was on his own in lane 1 with a float.

I didn't get a chance to speak to his swimming teacher at the end of class,but when I asked DS what had happened,he said it was because swimming teacher didn't think DS was a strong enough swimmer to be in lane 2 with the others.

Fair enough,but AIBU to think the swimming teacher should have had all the kids in lane 1 playing together? I felt sorry for DS on his own :(

Apologies for the essay

OP posts:
ReallyTired · 07/10/2013 22:47

That does seem weird. Surely all the kids get to play together in the play sessions at the end. The lanes are only for proper swimming.

I can understand the teacher wanting your child in lane 1 and the faster swimmers in lane 2 for the proper swimming part of the lessons. It is not fair for slower swimmer to slow down the fast children. It sounds like your son took the "stay in lane 1" instruction far to literally.

WorraLiberty · 07/10/2013 22:47

Oh god that's a tough one isn't it? Sad

It's awful to leave one child on their own

But on the other hand if the other kids have worked hard to earn the right to be in the other lane, it would be unfair not to allow them in it.

It's a bit of a silly idea all round really so YANBU to feel upset.

ZZZenagain · 07/10/2013 22:49

maybe the teacher had him in lane 1 for the swimming but did not actually intend him to have to stay there for the playtime.

Can you take him swimming a few times and help him get up to the level of the other dc?

ReallyTired · 07/10/2013 22:54

You can ask the teacher outright if he/she really means for your child to have playtime on his own? It doesn't sound a case of a lazy child, but a child who needs more time to progress.

My daughter has just gone up a swimming group and now is one of the weaker ones. I am sure that in a few terms time she will be one of the strongest and go up a group again.

Original poster
hateswimmimg · 07/10/2013 22:56

I totally get why the teacher wanted DS nearer to the edge of the pool,because apparently he was worried about DS being in deep water and obviously wanted him close by....but,my poor DS looked so upset to be excluded from the others.

And it was the teacher who told DS to stay in lane 1,because the teacher made DS sit at the side of the pool while the other children went into lane 2. Then he allowed Ds to get into pool with a float

OP posts:
Original poster
hateswimmimg · 07/10/2013 22:59

I have explained to DS that his teacher was looking out for him..and next term (which begins next week with the same teacher) he will get the chance to get stronger.

But deep down I just want to rage at the teacher,so decided to rant here instead!

OP posts:
BrokenSunglasses · 07/10/2013 22:59

The teacher should have enabled the whole class to play with inflatables.

I don't think everyone should have been prevented from playing in the rest of the pool, but in a situation where one of the class needed extra support to prevent them being left out completely, then the swimming teacher should have provided it.

Original poster
hateswimmimg · 07/10/2013 23:21

the thing is,if DS isn't as strong as the others in stage 5,then why did they move him up?

I personally can't swim,so am taking what the teachers tell me as gospel!

OP posts:
CSIJanner · 07/10/2013 23:21

My LO1 can swim without aids (50m) but at playtime, everybody wears a float so they can all participate. The toys get thrown in and they all can have a go - YANBU. Your poor DS

ReallyTired · 07/10/2013 23:24

It sounds to me as if the OP child needs to be moved down at least one stage. A stage 5 child should be confident in deep water. Most children who are stage 4 standard have no problems in deep water.

Prehaps the ASA stages work differently at our sports centre. Children at stage 4 learn butterfly stroke and can swim lengths comfortably.

Original poster
hateswimmimg · 07/10/2013 23:30

As far as I'm was aware my DS doesn't have a problem with deep water (although his teacher may disagree) and can happily swim lengths.

However as his next term of stage 5 is due to begin next week,I think I will have a word with his teacher and see what he thinks should happen (I have no problem with DS being at a lower stage if that's what needs to happen)

Thanks for all your comments

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