school swimming lesson safety

[billieanne]

I am a primary school teacher and recently qualified Asa level 2 swim coach and have a current NPLQ (National Pool Lifeguard Qualification). I am horrified that my ds primary school swimming lessons operate without a life guard and the children to instructor ratio is 30:1. The class teacher who is with the class has no swimming or life saving qualifications. The swim instructor does not hold a proper life saving qualification. Am I over reacting? I don't want to stop my son swimming because he will feel very sad that he cannot do as his classmates do. Do I let him join in or not?

The safety guidelines for teaching swimming is a maximum of 20 swimmers per instructor. What is the point of having lessons available if you cannot do it safely and properly? I don't know what to do? I have asked to arrange a chat with the head twice, over the last 2 weeks, but no one ever gets back to me. The class teacher cannot even answer my queries.

Yes, all 30 chidren are in the water at the same time.

yes, all 30 are in the pool at the same time. All the children can stand in all areas of the pool.

OP - I think part of the problem is that the lessons take place in the school's own pool. Leisure centre pools have to play by the rules, not only because it is the right thing to do but also of fear for being sued. But if this is a private pool they can pretty much do as they please. Ultimately in that case it is the level 2 who is responsible for anything that could go wrong. As such I can not believe that a reputable level 2 ASA teacher would be prepared to work under those conditions. Not so long ago I was put in a position where I was teaching in a private pool and the lifeguard did not show. In the end I had to cancel the lesson, Which was disappointing for the children and resulted in grumpy parents but at the end of the day safety has to come first. Sadly the Asa guidelines are just that
'guidelines' which seems to be interpreted by pool operators to suit them. I would ask the head teacher to put in writing how she can guarantee the children's safety under these circumstances and ask for a response before the next lesson takes place so you can send your DC in with swim kit and have your piece of mind.

I would be concerned about this. When I was younger I took the "bronze medallion" - which at that time constituted what you needed to be a lifeguard. It focused on lifesaving including what to do in a real emergency (i.e. if you had someone unconscious and not breathing). My recollection is in order for this to be valid, you had to retest every three years.

If I was in your situation, I would contact the headteacher and ask for a meeting to discuss poolside safety and how they manage this.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_Medallion_(United_Kingdom)

The iOS is a provider for the ASA. I have done my training with the IOS but me certificate is issued by the ASA.

Shallow water does not make it ok to have 30 in at the time. Bumped heads etc. do happen. One pair if eyes and someone on the side is not sufficient both from a safety and a quality point of view.