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Original poster

do you attend your child's school swimming lessons? If so, why?

60 replies

umbrunion · 13/06/2013 09:46

Just a thought. It has never occurred to me to attend and yet some parents do. This is assuming your child is nt and that the school hasn't asked you to go.

School are trying to discourage parents from attending btw.

OP posts:
Leeds2 · 13/06/2013 10:47

I used to go to my DD's swimming lessons outside of school, because it wasn't possible time wise to go home. I think an adult did actually have to be in the building in case there was a problem.

Would never have dreamt of going to a school swimming lesson, and am surprised that some parents do. Unless of course they are helpers.

Sparklingbrook · 13/06/2013 10:51

With PFB a group of us Mums used to be 'accidentally' in the swimming pool cafe every week when the school lessons were done.

Didn't bother with DS2. Blush

kilmuir · 13/06/2013 10:53

I go on school swimming lesson, but help on bus, in changing rooms etc. some parents used to be there as spectators but numbers have reduced as term gone on

jo164 · 13/06/2013 10:57

I teach PE in a Prep school and unless a parent was actively helping - in our case in walking children to the pool, then they would not be allowed to come and watch. There are all sorts of child protection issues to consider plus parents don't go and watch any other lesson when they feel like it - I don't think it's appropriate. Incidently any parent helpers (only with pre school class) are not allowed in the changing rooms and phones/cameras are not allowed on poolside, even if they have been CRB checked.

Original poster
umbrunion · 13/06/2013 16:01

Thanks. I don't like the idea of parents going to watch for some reason. School say they have asked parents not to attend but if they persist there is nothing they can do as it is a 'public place'. Wouldn't have thought a school swimming lesson would be open to the public though.

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 13/06/2013 17:21

The cafe we went to was behind windows overlooking the pool, and it was a public cafe, used by all at the Leisure Centre.

middleagedspread · 13/06/2013 17:24

I used to help out with swimming lessons when mine were at primary. I had to prove my qualification & be CRB checked. Spectator parents were not allowed, although some did help with transport on occasion.

LEMisdisappointed · 13/06/2013 17:26

Why on earth don't you like the idea of parents watching? I daresay they are watching their OWN children and aren't in the LEAST bit interested in yours!

I go (or used to, she finished last week) and watch chat to other mums and then help walk the kids back to the school. Her lessons were first thing in the morning so we would take them straight to the pool, may as well stay and watch, my DD liked me to do this. If anyone else has a problem with it - tough!

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 13/06/2013 17:28

I used to help with summer swimming - I got in the freezing cold water with the kids to do this. But when it was not my turn to help, I certainly did not show up. I had better things to do. I did attend the out of school lessons at the leisure centre becuase not enough time to go home - but actually quite often I had a coffee in the cafe and read a book.

adeucalione · 13/06/2013 17:45

I've never done this but can't see the harm in it - maybe their child has asked them to watch, or they want to see how their child is improving, or they're in the area at that time, or they live nearby. If it's a public pool, and they're watching from the spectators' area (rather than going into the changing area or the poolside) then I'm not sure that they could be stopped. How is it any different than any other leisure centre user or member of the public sitting to watch?

Sparklingbrook · 13/06/2013 17:47

Exactly adeu. There were lots of other people in the cafe. And TBF we were so busy gassing one day DS1's class had long gone before we noticed. Blush

Original poster
umbrunion · 13/06/2013 18:33

its a school lesson. not a out of school activity. Would you go and sit in a maths lesson? Anyway, whether you think its fine is irrelevant as the school has expressly asked parents not to.

OP posts:
Original poster
umbrunion · 13/06/2013 18:34

There isnt a cafe that overlooks the lesson, you have to go and sit in the seats by the pool. Personally I find it utterly bizarre that anyone would helicopter parent in this way.

OP posts:
Marmitelover55 · 13/06/2013 18:41

I have only watched when I have helped. Despite CRB check, I wasn't allowed in the changing rooms (thank goodness). The school always seem desperate for parent helpers, and I often get calls at work the previous day to see if I am free.

Silly question, but what is a "helicopter parent"? Thanks - relative newbie here.

CointreauVersial · 13/06/2013 18:46

Well, our pool is on school premises, so I'd no more watch the swimming lessons than go in and watch PE.

The only exceptions are parents drafted in to help infants get changed, and you need to be CRB checked (and not work full time!).

exoticfruits · 13/06/2013 18:50

I have never had it happen when I have taken classes- the pool hasn't been open to the public at that time, so it hasn't been an option even if they wanted to.

kilmuir · 13/06/2013 19:42

Jo164 whats the problem with CRB checked parent helping in the changing rooms? I only dry feet and make sure children leave changing room with all their own clothes on! Very surprised at number of unmarked clothes out there.
Thankfully the dreaded swimhat not used

Sparklingbrook · 13/06/2013 20:33

I wouldn't have sat in the spectator seats right next to the pool.

TheBuskersDog · 13/06/2013 20:37

It's never even occurred to me that any parent would do this, not even our most neurotic mums have thought of actually turning up at the pool!

LEMisdisappointed · 13/06/2013 20:42

A hellicopter parent is a parent that is always there, never letting their children get on and do things on their own. I am a SAHM i suppose the OP would describe me as a helicopter parent. I stay to swimming lessons as we drop them off. I usually chat to the other mums but my DD LIKES me being there. I then walk back to the school - if there were no parent helpers to assist with this then they couldnt go as the ratios wouldn't be enough. I do not go into the changing rooms - I am CRB checked but the school don't know that. I help out with school trips as much as i can, i like being involved with DDs school, i am often in school during the day doing bits and pieces - i think its nice for DD and helps her to feel at home in school and she certainly likes me to be there. I also get to know her classmates as well. If that makes me a helicopter parent - err, i'll get over it! Many of the parents stay, not every week some when they can - all the kids really like it and enjoy waving to mum and dad etc.

Personally i find it utter bizzare that anyone would have a problem with this!

LynetteScavo · 13/06/2013 20:43

DS1 hated school swimming lessons to the point where he really didn't want to go to school on swimming days. The school suggested I go to watch, and I was gobsmacked to discover a load of mums regularly watched.

One swimming teacher was so horrid to the children in the class, if DS had been in that class I would have pulled him out of the pool, and told her exactly what I thought of her attitude. It wouldn't have been pretty.

TeenAndTween · 13/06/2013 20:56

When DD1 was learning I watched 3 out of her 9 lessons.

  • it was at a public pool, other members of the public were using other areas of the pool at the time
  • I watched from the cafe viewing area
  • it was good to see what she was being shown/asked to do, so when we went at weekends we knew what to get her to practice
  • it was interesting to watch, and something to do with pre-school DD2
  • I was very careful to not try to catch DD's attention or distract her in anyway
  • and yes, if I had the opportunity I would go in and watch a maths lesson!
crunchbag · 13/06/2013 21:09

No, and I have never heard of anyone doing it. The only parents there are helpers.
I don't even know what time DD's swimming lesson is.

adeucalione · 13/06/2013 21:35

Why are school 'trying to discourage parents from attending' OP?

Are they distracting the children or something?

What have school done to discourage them, asked them not to or sent letters home?

Sommink · 13/06/2013 21:58

We have lots of parents watching our school swimming lessons, the spectator area is upstairs over the pool so doesn't intrude. It's a public building, we can't stop them, but we make sure no one takes photos etc of the lesson.

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