It is now even easier for schools to teach valuable lifesaving skills with a new one-day course for teachers from The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK).
The course has been specifically designed for qualified teachers and swimming teachers and enables them to condense a usual two-day course into one by taking into account the teaching skills already held by them in their normal working role.
After the course, candidates will be qualified to deliver the RLSS UK Survive & Save course to pupils aged 12-years-old and over, giving them lifesaving skills as well as teaching them vital water safety skills and what do to keep themselves safe in and around water. Survive & Save can also form part of the national curriculum for GCSE PE.
RLSS UK Lifesaving Programme Manager, Mike Dunn, designed the course. He said: “We want to make it as easy as possible for schools to teach lifesaving to pupils as a great addition to swimming lessons, but the course also is widely accepted by many examining bodies within GCSE/BTEC Sport and is a useful tool for schools taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh award Scheme.
“The shorter course means it takes less time to complete and is also more affordable. It involves no post course moderation so instructors can begin delivering the award immediately.
“As the drowning prevention charity we believe all children should be taught lifesaving and water safety, and Survive & Save is a fantastic award that is not only fun but could mean the difference between life and death.
“We ran the pilot course for the new format last month and we have seen fantastic interest so far and are set to deliver it across the country.”
Mandy Carey, Buckinghamshire swimming consultant for The Buckinghamshire Learning Trust, organised the pilot course along RLSS UK and attended along with seven other candidates.
She said: “The course was an intense mix of classroom and pool time but was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone and it was clear it was designed with teachers’ needs in mind and experience taken into account.
“It is a great way to add to your teaching skills and be able to offer a new award to pupils. I can’t wait to deliver my first classes to the children as it is a different and very important skill in addition to swimming.”
RLSS UK staff will be delivering the full-day training course free across the country, hosted by the organisation or school concerned to ensure costs are kept to a minimum. Hosts are also encouraged to open the course up to other schools and swimming teachers in the area. There will only be a £60 charge for each attendee to cover manual costs which includes a course work book and teaching resources needed to deliver the programme once qualified.
For more information on the new, one-day Lifesaving Instructor Course for teachers please call RLSS UK’s Debbie Weston on 01789 773994 x 263 or email debbieweston@rlss.org.uk.
