So what would you think if your primary school says it requires volunteers to teach swimming?

[daftdame]

Just that really. Our primary school says that swimming lessons may have to be cancelled if they don't get enough volunteers to help. I know they have to teach this, as it is part of the national curriculum, although I know the guidelines do not stipulate much in terms of how many lessons they are supposed to teach. I do not like the emotional blackmail aspect though...what do you think?

We only have parent helpers up to yr 2/3 and then they aren't necessary for the older ones.

Of course, ipad. They are. But if TAs and Teachers are not comfortable doing their jobs without adequate training, how do you think volunteers feel? Doesn't actually take very long for problems to occur in the water - simultaneously even with more than one child. Public pools often require one adult to every two children during public sessions, they also have lifesavers.

You have lifeguards at your school pool?

mrz, Is this leading anywhere? I'm happy you've informed about the teachers' / TAs' side of things. Thank you. I suspected I didn't have all the correct up to date information as I am not a professional in this area. I still maintain the view that I think things could be organised with more consideration to the people who will have to help out (ie consulting them) and not merely threatening cancellation. Guess I will just have to swallow it.

Our swimming teacher is trained life guard and in emergency first aid.

Ta's and teachers often trained in first aid.

But they don't have a separate life guard. Its a small pool, small numbers of children in at any one time and they have volunteers watching.

daft if you are considering helping I think you need to get details so you can be clear what exactly your role would be. If you aren't considering volunteering then of course carry on moaning about the school but don't generalise.

mrz, as I have said earlier already have volunteered on may occasions (and enjoyed it!) Often not been given much time to consider. Sorry vague about the details, not got instant recall of them all, maybe should have. It has seemed to turned in to a bit of a moan from all parties. I was initially looking to see if there really isn't any other solution apart from relying heavily on volunteers ie how drastic the situation realistically is, which you and others have kindly answered.

Sorry many. You lot have worn me out and I thought I was argumentative.

The difference is, the parents are being asked to volunteer, but the TAs would be required to do it.

As a teacher, there is no way I'd get in the water with the children. Absolutely none. I would also struggle to teach swimming as I can barely swim myself. As it is, our pool has instructors so I just sit there and do the behaviour management side of things.

Oh this is excruciating, why do people think it is OK to refuse to do stuff in their paid job themselves but are quite happy to enlist 'voluntary' support ie emotionally blackmail and harass any unsuspecting parent that comes along their path to do those unworthy tasks they feel unable to do for the money. I actually feel a complete fool now for volunteering in the past, I have enabled this can't do attitude from the profession! I am complicit in this whole situation. These are nationally set targets. The professionals know it is not realistic to teach all of the swimming curriculum in Yr 6 or else why would they bother?

Probably because teaching swimming falls outside a teacher's job description and that of a TA.

When is a teacher not a teacher. When are national curriculum targets outside your job description?

Firstly you don't need to be a qualified teacher to be a swimming instructor.
Secondly you do need to have swimming qualification (more than my 100m badge that I got at school) including a lifesaving qualification to teach swimming.

So sorry if I am trying to teach my Granny to suck eggs but why are teachers not asking for training? They like courses (according to TES forums anyway). Not all of your job description eg pressing 'play' on the DVD player or playground duty need a teaching qualification either. I know these are ludicrous examples, I'm almost ashamed to make them, but you must get the point.

Because schools employ qualified people to teach pupils to swim.

As far as I'm aware no one has drowned in a DVD player or playground ...

But not enough to enable swimming lessons to take place. Would you rather the budget was spent on staff training rather than outside help? I would, it allows for more continuity.

Playgrounds can be dangerous places if you really want to labour the point, with teaching opportunities to boot. Not sure about the DVD but I hope that does not take up too much of your time.

Yes they employ enough qualified people to enable swimming lessons to take place.

But to allow adequate enough provision to enable children to learn?

If I donated money to be spent specifically on training would it be taken up?

there is adequate provision to enable children to learn

If I donated money to be spent specifically on training would it be taken up?

I doubt it