Drowning Prevention Week: Staying Safe Around Water
This week, St Peter’s has been proud to support Drowning Prevention Week, led by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS UK). This important national campaign focuses on raising awareness of water safety for children and families.
With the warmer weather and more time spent around water — whether at swimming pools, rivers, lakes or the seaside — it is vital that all children understand how to keep themselves safe.
As part of our ongoing commitment to safeguarding and wellbeing, this week’s PSHE lessons across the school have focused on water safety. Children have explored key messages promoted by RLSS UK about how to enjoy water safely, recognise potential dangers and know what to do in an emergency.
🛟 What children have been learning
Across all year groups, children have engaged with important, age-appropriate guidance, including:
- The importance of always swimming in supervised areas and following safety signs
- Understanding the risks of open water, such as cold temperatures, strong currents and hidden hazards
- What to do if they, or someone else, gets into difficulty in the water
- The “Float to Live” technique — staying calm, floating on their back and calling for help
- Why they should never enter the water to attempt a rescue themselves, but instead alert an adult or call for help
Younger children explored these ideas through stories and discussion, while older children worked through real-life scenarios, helping them build confidence in how to respond responsibly.
🏊‍♀️ Herons Class: Real-Life Water Safety in Action
Herons class took their learning even further during their swimming lesson this week by completing a water safety practical session.
Children experienced swimming fully clothed to safely replicate what it might feel like if they accidentally fell into water. This valuable experience helped them understand how clothing can affect movement and buoyancy.
Working alongside trained instructors, they also practised safe rescue techniques, learning how to help someone in difficulty without putting themselves at risk. The session was a fantastic opportunity for children to apply their knowledge in a real-life context, building both confidence and essential life skills.
đź’™ Working together to keep children safe
We encourage families to continue these important conversations at home. A few simple reminders can make a big difference:
- Always supervise children closely around water
- Encourage the use of appropriate safety equipment, such as life jackets where needed
- Remind children to stay with friends and tell an adult where they are going
- Talk about safe places to swim and the importance of listening to lifeguards or adults
By working together, and by supporting important initiatives such as those led by RLSS UK, we can ensure all children have the knowledge, understanding and confidence to enjoy water safely.
At St Peter’s, this reflects our vision to Love, Learn, Shine — nurturing children who care for themselves and others, learn essential life skills and shine with confidence in the world around them.
Thank you for your continued support in helping us keep our children safe.
