Are you joining in the Big School Swim?

On Wednesday 8 November the Big School Swim is returning to schools and swimming pools across the country in celebration of swimming.

The event highlights the fun – and importance – of learning to swim, with water safety being a key theme for this year. If school and pools already have swimming lessons booked in, then we have provided special lesson plans. These can be used alongside a downloadable activity sheet so they can join in with the Big School Swim.

If schools don’t have any swimming planned for the day, then pupils can still get involved. We have created special resources to help them understand why learning to swim and being safe in the water is so important. Or they can hold a special Big School Swim assembly.

Let’s make 2017 bigger and better than ever

Last year, more than 4,800 children across the country got involved with the Big School Swim. Over 160 primary schools joined in, and we had lots of positive feedback, great photos and stories about their experience.

A pupil from Bristol said: “I’ve had a really good day. My favourite thing about swimming is being able to do whatever you want in the pool. And also it feels really relaxing and can calm you down.”

Swimming teacher Kevin Clemson from Castle School in Cambridge, said: “We had a fantastic day celebrating the Big School Swim. Our Head teacher joined our swimming fun session. He really enjoyed seeing the kids swimming and the progress they are making. We also held a swimming poster competition which will be part of our Big School Swim display.”

Whether you are joining in at the pool or at school, please help us celebrate school swimming. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook and share our Big School Swim posts – but also share your own using #BigSchoolSwim.

Shining a light on swimming and water safety in schools

Learning to swim and how to be safe in and around the water is vitally important. For some young people, school is the only opportunity they will have to learn these life skills. Our annual Big School Swim shines a light on all the great work that school teachers and facility operators do to encourage pupils to learn how to swim and continue to enjoy  the water safely.

• Find out about our work to ensure all children have access to swimming and water safety lessons at primary school.