Should DC go on the school residential when he can't swim?

[Thoughtfulgolondrina]

The Year 8 Residential is coming soon and most days water sports/swimming is the activity of the day. Due to COVID shutting pools and stopping swimming lessons for a couple years of primary and then living abroad for a couple more years of primary, my son can't swim. We have tried to get him into swimming lessons now but all in the area have unending waiting lists or won't teach older children because he is outside the age range for the national swimming programme implemented in England. The end result is my DC doesn't want to go on the residential but will miss the fun with his friends on the other parts of the trip. For my part, l am worried about his safety. While abroad, he almost drowned at a beach. I don't feel his teachers really understand 'he can't swim'. Therefore, l worry about whether the vigilance will be there. Also, my DC, rightly so, wonders what he will do instead. There are whole days of water sport (boogie-boarding, surfing) and other days of hiking to a pool to spend the afternoon swimming. What should l do?

I think this makes sense at more advanced levels but I think if you're talking about teaching a child the very basics, most people who can swim even a tiny bit and can look up a few YouTube videos can manage that.

When is the trip? Why don’t you just teach him yourself if you can’t find lessons? I would have made that decision within a couple of months in of searching for non-existent lessons, not 2.5 years. It’s incredibly important that he learns to swim for his safety. Get down the pool!!

I think the OP is long gone from this thread.

Your son is not alone. The statistics for the number of older children who cant swim is shocking. The national curriculum for swimming is failing terribly for all kinds of reasons. Since covid there's now a lost generation who missed out on school swimming and lessons in general. The governing bodies are pushing new swimming teachers through courses in just a matter of days which is well below parr and they are not receiving adequate knowledge and teaching skills. So be careful when you are selecting a swimming instructor. Dont throw your money away on a teacher who dosent understand the psychology of what your son is going through and have the ability to adapt the learning structure. Ask for references, speak to other parents or you could be there a long time. Swimming lessons need to be adaptable to suit the learner, there are many teachers who only do what they have been told to do.. Im more than happy to help along the right lines if I can

If I may suggest again, try a @swimfin There are testimonials, videos, etc where parents and teachers have had instant results, I mean like 20 mins from getting a none swimmer swimming. While your on a waiting list give it a go. There is a very strong possibility your child will be swimming before a place comes up. Then let the teacher work on the technique