National swimming framework spotlighted in the capital

A NEW framework that aims to revolutionise water safety in schools has been celebrated in Edinburgh.

Scottish Swimming, in partnership with Scottish Water, hosted a landmark event yesterday at Edinburgh’s Royal Commonwealth Pool to celebrate The National Primary School Swimming Framework.

The celebration introduced Scotland’s most decorated Olympian Duncan Scott MBE and double Paralympian Toni Shaw as ambassadors for the Framework and highlighted the critical importance of swimming education in primary schools across Scotland.

The National Primary School Swimming Framework aims to ensure pupils across Scotland, particularly at Primary 4/Primary 5 level, learn basic water safety and drowning prevention skills to be safer and more confident in, on, and around water.

Olympic champion Duncan Scott MBE shared: “Swimming isn’t just a sport; it’s a life skill that can help save lives. I’m honoured to be part of this initiative that aims to make swimming accessible to every child in Scotland.

“The fact that over 9,200 pupils have already benefited from the pilot phases is encouraging, but it’s crucial that we continue to bridge the gaps and ensure equal opportunities for all our young people.”

During the event, attendees heard from Scottish Swimming, Scottish Water, sportscotland, Duncan and Toni, as well as seeing a lesson in progress with children from Niddrie Mill and Castleview primary schools.

Paralympian Toni Shaw added: “Swimming has transformed my life, and I believe every child should have the chance to experience its benefits.

“This framework is a step in the right direction, but we need to ensure it reaches every corner of Scotland. Inclusive swimming education is not just about creating champions, it’s about empowering all children with confidence and safety in the water.”

The Framework, now available for schools across the nation, has already made significant strides. More than 9,200 pupils have participated in two phases of pilots carried out across nine local authorities in Scotland.

Craig Burn, Director of Sport at sportscotland said: “The National Primary School Swimming Framework represents a significant step forward in our efforts to improve water safety and swimming education across Scotland.

“By partnering with Scottish Swimming and other key stakeholders, we’re creating a comprehensive approach that will help ensure every child has the opportunity to learn essential water safety skills. We’re excited to see the positive impact this will have on young lives, potentially reducing drowning incidents.”

Peter Farrer, Scottish Water’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “Scottish Water is proud to support this new framework. Water safety is paramount – with Scotland’s natural landscape which has approximately 30,000 inland waters and 6,000 miles of coastline, coupled with worryingly high drowning statistics.

“This framework will be key to creating ‘Generation Swim’ and ensuring more children across the country get the basic – but vital – water safety knowledge and skills to help keep them safer in, on and around water.”

The National Primary School Swimming Framework offers flexible delivery models, allowing schools to adopt different approaches based on their circumstances, such as universal or targeted programmes for non-swimmers.

It focuses on water safety education, with the Water Safety Code integrated throughout, aligning with Water Safety Scotland’s drowning prevention initiatives.

The framework’s development has been supported by the Scottish Government through sportscotland, with additional credibility added by the inclusion of Education Scotland and Water Safety Scotland.

To learn more about the National Primary School Swimming Framework or to support its implementation, visit:  

https://www.scottishswimming.com/learn-to-swim/school-swimming-framework

Framework launched to transform water safety in Edinburgh schools

New initiative aims to reduce drowning risk

A BOLD new framework that aims to revolutionise water safety in schools has been launched.

4400 children from Edinburgh have already taken part in the new National Primary School Swimming Framework.

The National Primary School Swimming Framework – a partnership between  Scottish Water and Scottish Swimming – vision is to ensure that primary school children (ideally at Primary 4/Primary 5 level) across Scotland will get to learn basic water safety and drowning prevention skills to help them be safer and more confident in, on and around water.

Developed by Scottish Swimming and supported by Scottish Water, the Framework will introduce standardised outcomes alongside innovative, flexible delivery models tailored to local needs to enhance the current School Swimming provision.

Mel Coutts, Wider Achievement Manager for Sport & Physical Activity from The City of Edinburgh Council said: “Teaching water safety skills is vital for ensuring children of all backgrounds are safe around water.  

“The National Primary School Swimming Framework complements the model which has been successfully developed in Edinburgh for many years and is delivered across our 90 primary schools.

“Building this programme over the years has built the confidence of our schools in our swimming programme and in turn improves the confidence of pupils taking part. The fact that the Framework can be adapted so easily is a huge plus.

“Our partnership with Scottish Swimming is highly valued and the support we received for additional teaching support to work with our curriculum Swim Teachers to target non-swimmers has been priceless.”

Edinburgh facilitated the pilot across 14 pools and aims to reach around 5000 pupils in the next academic year.

Launched during a Drowning Prevention Week event at Loch Lomond yesterday (19 June), the framework hopes to ensure all children have the chance to learn vital water safety skills, which may be their only opportunity for such education.

Over 9200 pupils have already taken part in two phases of pilots which were carried out across nine local authorities across Scotland, the Framework has now been made accessible for all local authorities and pools.

Statistics show that Scotland’s record on drownings are worryingly high, with 47 accidental drownings reported by the National Water Safety Forum in 2023, almost 10 fatal drownings per one million people, almost triple the rate of the rest of the UK.

Euan Lowe, CEO at Scottish Swimming, added: “Our vision is that ‘everyone can swim’, and we believe that teaching primary school age children water safety skills is vital to this.

“The framework’s flexible approach allows schools to adopt models best suited to their circumstances while delivering consistent skills and messaging in relation to water safety. Whether through a universal approach or targeted programmes for non-swimmers, we maintain core water safety principles.

“This collaborative effort with Scottish Water and the Scottish Government, sportscotland, and educational bodies underscores our commitment to making swimming accessible and safe for all children.”

Peter Farrer, Scottish Water’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “Learning how to be safer in, on and around water is such an important life skill – everyone should be able to enjoy Scotland’s miles of rivers, lochs, reservoirs and shorelines, and do so safely.

“Scotland’s drowning rates highlight the urgent need for comprehensive water safety education.“We are proud to support the National Primary School Swimming Framework, which aims to help ensure children across Scotland leave primary school with the essential knowledge and skills to stay safe around water.”

A recent survey of primary school headteachers in Scotland revealed that nine in 10 that currently deliver school swimming value it as part of their pupils’ education. With nearly three quarters (72%) of schools unaware of the Water Safety Scotland Progression Pathway classroom resources for school teachers, this new framework is set out to ensure all children receive essential water safety skills.

The framework is designed to adapt to various local authority environments, ensuring inclusivity and targeting children who may not have previous swimming experience. Integrating the Water Safety Code throughout aligns with Water Safety Scotland’s drowning prevention initiatives.

Supported by the Scottish Government and sportscotland, and with the involvement of Education Scotland and Water Safety Scotland, pilot programmes explored different delivery models, leading to the comprehensive framework now available for schools across the nation.

Pilot programmes were carried out in the following local authorities:

  • Dundee: 30 pupils
  • East Lothian: 1238 pupils
  • North Lanarkshire: 134 pupils
  • Scottish Borders: 86 pupils
  • West Dunbartonshire: 1100 pupils
  • Aberdeen: 1490 pupils
  • Edinburgh: 4400 pupils
  • Clackmannanshire: 540 pupils
  • East Renfrewshire: 230 pupils

The framework is linked to Scottish Swimming’s comprehensive education qualifications and CPD courses to aid the development and quality of delivery.

Drowning Prevention Week (15-22 June 2024), organised by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), stands as one of the largest water safety campaigns in the UK and Ireland, specifically targeting the summer season. Its primary goal is to equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to make informed decisions regarding water safety, particularly during the summer months.

For more information on The National Primary School Swimming Framework, visit: https://www.scottishswimming.com/ 

or contact schoolswimming@scottishswimming.com