To consider taking my children out of school an hour early once a week so that they can go to a swimming lesson?

[PineNutsAreOverpriced]

Just that really. Year 4 twins and a year 6. Weren’t strong swimmers before lockdown and still aren’t now - although they can mostly stay afloat there is still a lot of doggy paddling going on especially from the younger ones.

Previous swimming teacher has moved away. All local teachers and swimming schools are full up after school for lessons and have waiting lists for “sometime in 2022”

But I could get them into a lesson at 2.30pm during the week, on a day I am not working. I can get them there if I pick up at 2.15pm (school finishes at 3pm)

I think I probably would be unreasonable but am considering this.

School does not provide swimming lessons for the year 4s - there was a week course (one session a day) for my year 6 at the beginning of the year but that will be it for the year.

I’m not sure how the head will react if I ask.

Also, we do take them swimming as a family but can’t seem to get them to take it seriously the way they did with lessons. One has dyspraxia and tends to hang off me in the pool, which doesn’t help the situation.

There is a national shortage of 8000 qualified teachers due to covid many not been able.to train and alot left the profession and got over jobs especially if they hired pools and couldn't get the hire anymore. Our waiting lists are massive over 400 for stage 1 alone there's only so many hours within the day and I work 6 days a week. You need to address your concerns over the provisions for school swimming as part of the schools curriculum here its down to the school which year groups and how many times they go. We do 2 week blocks and they progress alot faster.

Most schools have their policies online- have you checked whether this is covered? Usually they will allow it if it fits ‘gifted and talented’ criteria, as people have said competitive gymnastics, specialist music etc. Also one offs for dance/ music exams. Those things can’t happen at other times though. You could possibly get it through as a therapy for the dyspraxic but would have to say it’s a medical therapy rather than just you couldn’t get a swimming lesson at another time! You can obviously ask but as it will be disruptive to both your children and others I think it’s unlikely

It very much depends on your head teacher. Ask. You have nothing to loose. Maybe ask for the first block of lessons and agree to review after that.
Children who can't swim by the time they transfer to high school never seem to progress.

Also many swimming pools have ring fenced lessons and 1 to 1s for children with special needs so that may be worth looking into

I left an hour early every week for counselling (not at the school but at the local health clinic a bus away) don't really see what the difference is here tbh

If school were willing to let them.out I'd pick them up at start of lunch time. Kich less disruptive

I'd definitely ask op. The school near us does private music lessons within school time that parents can choose to enrol their kids in once a week.
I don't see how this is any different, especially as it is a life saving skill.

Swimming lessons are not the be all and end all they are made put to be. They don't need to "take it seriously" they will gain strength and confidence just by having fun in the pool. My daughter always hated lessons and never made progress. The most she progressed was during a summer holiday where she messed around in a pool every day. She gained strength, stamina and confidence and could swim much better when she came back despite not really doing any "proper" swimming.

Of course you can't take them out of school for this on a regular basis!

I don’t think you are being unreasonable for asking at all. It’s missing 45 mins once a week at primary school. Swimming is a vital life skill. I think it’s worth asking, you’ve got nothing to lose.

I agree with @Catchthepigeons - I can’t see how it’s different to missing classes for music or drama lessons which isn’t unusual, especially in private schools. And swimming could save their lives.

Personally I’d ask. The worst thing that can happen is the head says no.

I think you could argue it because of corona. You have a good point, OP. At least, give it a go.

So could every parent at the school! Then with so many children off at 2.30, the school might as well close at 2.30. Then 2.30 swimming lessons will be as hard to get as any other time.

@Hoppinggreen

No, you can’t do this It’s pretty ridiculous to even consider it to be honest

You have 13 weeks holiday a year, weekends and evenings - go on a waiting list

YABU. They need to be in school; that’s far more important
Why? Home educated kids seem to do really well, and they’re in school zero days a week for zero hours.

Can you imagine ? one child off Mondays 9-11 to play tennis another for Spanish, another for swimming, one for yoga etc of course let them all attend school just when they want as it’s just basically free childcare right?

Have a look and see if you can find an intensive course over half term. That was much more effective for my children than weekly sessions.

Not saying she necessarily should by the way, just challenging the assumption that every hour spent in school is “precious”. Learning can happen anywhere.

I think you are being unreasonable and entitled to even be considering it. 😯
Wait 'til lessons come up/you get to the top of the waiting list, like everyone else has to. 💚

Has your Y6 DC had their school swimming lessons?

I never learnt to swim at school

For a one off maybe but every week, really????

Hi @PineNutsAreOverpriced

I'm an education welfare officer and find this a really interesting debate whenever it comes up at work, which it does, in many different schools and for various circumstances.

I would ask the Head. This situation is basically down to their discretion but a decent head should at least talk to you about it.

Ultimately the school cannot stop you collecting your children whenever you want so the answer is technically that you CAN take them out by early collecting, however this certainly does not mean that you SHOULD. I would never advise that you just do this without the agreement of the school unless you truly believed it was absolutely worth the damage it will do to your relationship with the school AND the disruption to the children.

Flexi schooling may be one option to reach an agreement on this and the school should be willing to consider a properly considered proposal from you. It depends a little on what the children's timetable is that afternoon, and how they feel any early collection and flexi schooling will impact this.

There is also the question of whether they register is taken in the afternoon straight after lunch or at the end of the afternoon session just before home time as the school would have to mark them absent which will cause other problems.

I can see your argument that swimming is a life skill, on the national curriculum and won't be provided by school. Maybe there may be some scope to attend the lessons until a basic standard of swimming is achieved as this is ultimately a life saving skill.

I would absolutely discuss it with your head and see how they respond.

bonbonours Can she swim more than 25 metres and on her back aswell? There's a massive drive with Swim England about myths around stopping lessons if they can swim 25 metres it is encouraged they complete lessons up to stage 7 to be a confident and competent in swimming further than 25 metres in more than one stroke.

I think you can legitimately ask the school how they’re planning on ensuring the national curriculum standards for swimming are met. I don’t think it is legitimate to leave early for a beginners swimming class when you should be able to find holiday courses etc.

bonbonours www.swimming.org/learntoswim/know-child-competent-swimmer/

If your DC are missing the same hour every week, chances are that they will also be missing the same scheduled lesson/activity each time too, eg art, music, science, interventions.

My secondary school DC misses 20min slots of classes for music lessons, but those are done on a rolling rota basis so that students don't miss the same class each week. Students are also expected to take responsibility for catching up on anything they've missed. it's highly unlikely that a Yr 4 or a Yr 6 child would be able to do that without input from a teacher.