Anybody else actually go in the water with the children when they have their swimming lessons?

Muggins here got roped in because no-one else would.

Having confidence crisis here. Also not a size 8, more like ten more.

Feel like a nerd with the swimming instructors. And one child refused to go back in last week after i had failed to catch him so he went under.

One of the mums that comes with us came in last week - i was poorly so wasn't there - photo-copying instead! The class teacher said 'they've all managed to do really well this week'

I'm not needed then and am just a waste of space when i am there! - is how i feel.

Catbells

hi catbells

check out whether you really need to be there, or if the pool can provide another lifeguard to go in

if you are not happy then dont so it, it is not you responsibility, and i would be worried about letting a child go under the water too

speak to your school/line manager and say you wont do it anymore....it is not in your job description is it?

i would dread that every week , apart from the inconvenience, it is a bit of a cheek to expect you to do it..EVERY week

oh...and im sure the teacher just said thet to let you know how they all got on, not to undermine you, or make you feel unwanted

she probably thought you would be interested to see their progress

dq
xx

catbells I really admire you for doning this and as you said nooone else would.

Ive never heard of anyone actually getting in the water with the childen (unless the children are SEN) so the question i'd ask is it really nesesarry (sp sorry one of my dyslexic mind blocks on this one)
Surly the instructor should be able to instruct from the side as in evry other school I know

I used to go to swimming as an extra member of staff to help a child who was particularly nervous of the water, but i stayed close by on the side of the pool giving him lots of [raise and reassurance but never dreamt of actually getting in. (Y6 kids would have had way too much fun laughing at me in me cossie)

If it causes you lots of anxiety, which it clearly does then dont do it, as you said the others refused so so can you

I talked to the class teacher today and asked whether i needed to go in the water. And of course i don't!

I am interested in the progress of the children but because my self confidence is in short supply at the moment have a tendency to take all comments to heart.

One of the instructors commented at the end of today's lesson that actually i'm probably doing a better job on land with those i worked with today.

Its very easy at the moment for me to get things out of proportion. The rest of today seemed a whole lot lighter after that....

Catbells

well thats a good result, and never worry about sounding off on here catbells!

i am guilty of taking comments to heart too, i think we all do when we are feeling a bit low, but usually when people say stuff they dont think of how you will take it and then it is too late!

have a good rest of the day

glad it worked out catbells.


hope it goes well from now on

Went swimming every week for years with a child with ASD along with the mainstream class. She went swimming with both classes so got double the length of swimming block that everyone else had because it was doing her some real good. It was good for her, had no choice - but I know what you mean about being 'of a size' with the willowy swimming teacher standing over you, literally! Oh to be a size 10!

I take the non-swimmers in year 5. The pool instructors take those that have passed confidence and elementary, so three groups altogether. None of us coach in the water.
In our LEA at least one of the school staff supervising the pupils should have completed the one day training programme. Some of the training is in the water, but coaching should be from poolside I think.

I'm so glad you got that sorted out, Catbells... and hope you're feeling better about it all now.

In our school I did hear of one Year 5 TA who went in with the kids - but that was her choice and she loved it. The TAs who go with them now (either Year 5 or Year 6 depending upon the term) don't go in but assist (or whatever) from 'dry land'.

At our local swimming pool the lessons are done with the instructor on the side, only time one has been in is when one of the children was in difficulty and she had to dive in and save him. 22 miles down the road however, in Hull, the swimming instructors are in the water with the children and the parents are on the side watching.

Think you have to do what you feel comfortable with (know what you mean about the swimsuit/size thing though.........am desperately trying to loose weight so that Devon beaches don't think a whale has got stuck this summer!!!!! ........it'll probably be me when it hits the news headlines! )

Nearly went in last year as swimming teacher was busy and not keeping her eyes on the others.Had to get down on my front and reach as far as i could and persuade, frightened never been in the deep end child, to swim one stroke towards me she was panic stricken but i got her to do it next 3 secs I would have been in alright -fully clothed! Child had gone under twice already when I managed to grab her and pull her out.Swimming Teacher was Class Teacher asked why I was wet!
IT was a one off- Safety in the Water