Swimming
We believe swimming is not only a way of keeping healthy but a ‘life-saving skill that every child has the right to learn’. (ASA) We acknowledge that swimming is a compulsory part of the Curriculum, and all primary schools have a duty to provide swimming lessons for their pupils. At Wood Bank all children take part in swimming for at least half a term per year as we believe that swimming and learning to be safe around water is an extremely important life skill. It also provides opportunities for children with physical difficulties to strengthen their muscles and move unaided in the water.
Children either access the Hydrotherapy pool at Highbury school (as this is a warmer pool environment) or they access Sowerby Bridge swimming pool. For additional safety a Swimming Teacher will be in charge of these lessons, and a lifeguard will be present at all times.
We ask parents to provide any equipment including swimmers for this activity.
Hydrotherapy/Water activities
These sessions are available to children who we believe will benefit from additional support within this environment.
Hydrotherapy is a series of gentle exercises which can be more manageable when carried out in a heated pool (34°C) while the water supports much of the body weight, the resistance of the water helps to strengthen the muscles. The warmth increases circulation and also reduces muscle spasms and helps to relieve any pain or discomfort.
As a school we access Hydrotherapy at Highbury school. We call these sessions Water activities as there is no physiotherapist present. We do however liaise with a physiotherapist and your child will work 2:1 in the water with a Swimming Teacher and another member of staff.
A member of staff trained in National Rescue will also watch over these sessions.