Compulsory swimming for reception???

[LargeLatte]

dd1 (4yr 11mo) is in reception and next week they are starting swimming lessons in an outdoor pool!!! It was 8 degrees at 9 this morning so guessing it won't be much warmer this time next week.

He'll probably love it but I have a couple of reservations - he has been off school loads with viral wheeze (periodic asthma). One term is attendance was 50%. I can hear it starting up again and pretty sure the combination of cold, exercise and chlorine will trigger an attack. And I really don't want him to miss any more school than he already. Or see him wired up to machines, with a blood sat of 82%, nebs and oxygen again.

And he has terrible eczema - so not looking forward to seeing what a twice weekly dip in chlorine does to his skin.

I know its important to learn to swim so we take him very occassionally to the local pool. It has always been my decision as his mother to balance between the importance of learning to swim, with his health needs. Now the school have declared these lessons compulsory and will not flex on this.

Anyone know where I stand on this - I don't want parental judgement as I know I am trying to do the best for my son- need to hear from someone who knows about schools and what the curriculum says, or OFSTED, or whoever's in charge now.
Ta.

You know your child and you have very valid arguments. Put these forward calmly and stand your ground. They cannot physically force this on your child but you must be aware of what will happen should your views be overruled. You need to make the school aware of your objections and in no way is your child to undertake outside swimming in this frezing weather. Back up from your GP would help.

Thanks for replying. As if by magic he started wheezing last night again and is off school today so we might be going to the drs anyway.
I'm mostly concerned that if he gets really cold while he's a bit wheezy, it will trigger an attack since cold restricts the airways. I had hoped to be there but am not allowed as my CRB check isn't yet - I applied in Feb. He had his first attack at school and by the time they called me he couldn't even walk and had to go straight on a neb - I think that's unlikely to happen again (being left too long),not now we are all aware of his condition but I guess its a fear that won't leave me.

LargeLatte - It is NOT compulsory AFAIK. I would def go and speak to the head/ write a letter explaining that you do not want your DS to take part in the lessons and explain that you will arrange private lessons outside of school time as and when you feel appropriate.

Is it a state school or private? When my first DD was little, she had swimming lessons in reception, which we didn't want her to do as she had lessons outside of school etc. I picked her up early every monday afternoon and that was that. Though is was in a private school and 6 years ago so not sure what the rules are these days or if state schools are different.

But I am SURE swimming is only compulsory for KS2. and using an outdoor pool is madness, my car had ice on it this morning!

Even if it were compulsory, they would have to make exceptions for medical reasons. PE is compulsory in dd's school, but dd who has a joint condition doesn't actually do the high jump and running. Just write to them and explain.

LargeLatte, that sounds scary for you and him, and I'd be worried too, but the pool will be heated won't it? Our local lido is and it's lovely even in winter. And is it definitely a chlorinated pool?? Some of the newer ones aren't. Why not go talk to them about his eczema/ asthma and ask how they've found it for other kids. They've probably got at least a few other children who suffer similarly. It would be a shame to have him excluded unless you have to.

The govt has set targets for swimming that children have to meet by the end of KS2 and afaik its up to individual schools to decide how and when this is done.
If the school is meeting this need then I'd be surprised if they are expected to force children to swim - there will always be some who can't go every time for medical reasons.
I wouldn't worry too much, unless the school is totally unreasonable a doctor's note should be fine esp. if there are some days on which he will be able to swim.

Our school has compulsory swimming for Yr 1 & Yr 2, but that's in an indoor pool. Where children have particular medical issues (eg. one boy has recurrent ear infections and is waiting for an operation) they can opt out.

Our school also has an outside pool and when the weather is warm the children from reception upwards use it every day. However, they are not allowed to use it if the air temperature is below 21 degrees regardless of the water temperature (the pool is heated)They have been in 3 times since Easter, but certainly not this week much to my DD's disgust.
Ask the school for a copy of their policy for swimming pool use - you may find that although the intention is for twice weekly swimming lessons, this is only possible if the air temperature is high enough.

I'm asthmatic and as a child was affected a lot by cold weather especially winter nights.

Swimming is really good for asthma and I would see no problem with an outdoor pool as long as the air temperature is reasonable. However it would be best to speak to the school and raise your converns saying you are happy for your ds to swim if he is fit enough on a given day and if the weather is warm enough.

In state schools, the national curriculum simply states that a child should be able to swim 25m unaided by the end of KS2. That's it.

I posted about this in AIBU a few days ago. DS1's school has compulsory swimming from reception (he is 4.10). No getting out of it for colds, but I think they probably make concessions for more serious medical conditions. If you get a doctor's note I don't think that the school would have a choice but to let him sit out swimming.

Is your DS at a private school? I think they are pretty much free to make up their own curriculum, and often do more sport than state schools.

For what it's worth, I think that compulsory swimming for 4yo's is daft. Some (maybe even most) children will be ready for it, but some others are not and it risks putting them off for life

Thanks people. I'm going to try negotiating with the school that I will give the nod each day as to if he can swim - I'm guessing also that if I don't provide a towel and trunks one day he won't be going in. Most of the time it should be fine for him, but today he is off school with wheezy chest and eczema so bad he looks like a leper - so not expecting him to swim in the next week or so. I think I'll go to teacher as she certainly won't want a 4yo having an asthma attack in the pool - head is way more dogmatic about things like this.

Looks like you have come to a compromise but otherwise consider giving the school an assurance that you will arrange suitable lessons (warm indoor pool if weather cold)and ensure your child does learn to swim - it is essential they do.

Don't assume not sending kit will mean no lesson - my DS's school would make them go in in PE shorts, friend's kit, whatever is available (they are older though).

When is the end of ks2?
Our sch only swims in yr 4 for a term, how will the kids be able to swim 25m in that short time?

Compo - the end of KS2 is at the end of yr 6 so by the time children are 11.

The requirement is actually a bit more than just to swim 25m

The national strategy for PE says the following:-
?Key Stage 1
If schools choose to teach swimming at key stage 1, the following non-statutory guidelines may be used.
Pupils should be taught to:
? move in water (for example, jump, walk, hop, and spin, using swimming aids and support);
? float and move with and without swimming aids; and
? propel themselves in water using different swimming aids, arms and leg actions and basic strokes.

Key Stage 2
During the course of key stage 2, pupils should be taught to:
? pace themselves in floating and swimming challenges related to speed, distance and personal survival;
? swim unaided for a sustained period of time over a distance of at least 25m;
? use recognised arm and leg actions, lying on their front and back; and
? use a range of recognised strokes and personal survival skills (for example, front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, sculling, floating and surface diving).?

So it is a lot to cover in a short time.

I have no idea if this is ever checked up on by OFSTED or anyone else.

Oh thanks that's fab
he's currently in yr 1 and we're giving him lessons at the local pool, half an hour once a week but tbh he isn't getting very far