Junior school children in Rochdale who were afraid of water are now having fun and are enjoying splashing about in the pool, thanks to the STA’s new Rochdale Swim Academy.

Louise Raines, STA’s Academy Manager at Rochdale, said changes were recently introduced to lessons following feedback from a questionnaire that was sent to all primary schools across the borough in the summer.

The questionnaire, which featured seven simple questions covering administration and ease of contacting the relevant co-ordinators, transport and quality of lessons, highlighted that more needed to done to help children at Key Stage 2 who were scared of water or who were complete beginners when they began swim lessons, said Louise.

The Academy’s teachers, swim co-ordinators and Louise reviewed the results and met to plan for the following school year and, using termly planning and developing beginners’ skill sets, the Academy drew up plans to help learners who had previously struggled with basic confidence and movement.

We’ve already had positive feedback before the autumn term even ended, which is great, says Louise. The school teachers love the fun practices and knowing the scheme of work over the term helps them to support the children.