Swim Safety Assemblies in Waltham Forest Primary Schools
Did you know GLL is the the UK's largest public pools and swim school operator? GLL operates over 145 pools, lidos and open water facilities across England, Wales and Northern Ireland under the 'Better' brand. We take that responsibility seriously and for Drowning Prevention Week (13th-20th June) we went into schools from Cornwall to Cumbria to raise awareness of water safety.
In Waltham Forest, we had our first free assembly at Whittingham Primary Academy on June 12th and will be taking bookings until the kids break up for the summer holidays. Across our 4 pools in Waltham Forest, we are hoping to get into 12 schools and so far, it looks like we should engage with more. Do you have a connection with a primary school? If so, you can ask the relevant contact if they set up a visit from us.
Drowning Prevention Week is an annual campaign run by the national charity the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK). GLL is RLSS UK's first Water Safety Education Partner, so we work together to provide Water Safety on our Better Swim School.
Every year, children drown when falling into the water or getting into difficulties when swimming. Between 2020 to 2022 and 2023 to 2025, the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) shows that the number of child drowning deaths has increased 67%.
On average, over the last 5 years, 723 people drowned in the UK and Ireland each year, with 71% of child drownings happening between May and August, according to RLSS UK.
At least 17 adults and children died in water-related incidents during the UK's May heatwave.
Drowning Prevention Week plays a vital role in giving youngsters the skills and knowledge they need to stay safe around water.
GLL works with the Swimming Alliance (a collaboration of 27 National Organisations) on a Schools Swimming Taskforce to improve water safety education in schools and also attends the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Water Safety Education.
Andrew Clark, Head of Sport & Aquatics at GLL, said: “As a charitable social enterprise whose remit is to make a difference in the local communities we serve, GLL is very much aligned to the ethos of Drowning Prevention Week.
"Drowning Prevention Week provides a vital opportunity to embed essential water safety education into our swimming lessons. For this year's campaign, we expect to reach more than 250,000 children across the UK, delivering dedicated water safety sessions as part of our Swim School.
"Alongside this, we will extend our impact beyond the pool, delivering hundreds of water safety assemblies in schools and sharing information through our library network to reinforce lifesaving knowledge and awareness within our local communities
To help avoid accidental drowning deaths this summer, the public are being urged not to jump in after someone - as difficult as it may seem - stay calm, stay on land, and always follow this 4-step Water Safety Code.
Whenever you are around water:
Stop and Think - Always swim in a safe place, spot the dangers. Take advice from signs and lifeguards.
Stay Together - Always go with friends or family. Keep young children within arm's reach.
In an emergency: Call 999 - Don’t enter the water to rescue.
Float - Float on your back and call for help. Throw something that floats to somebody that has fallen in.
"Ashley Jones, Head of Water Safety Education at RLSS UK, commented: “We are grateful to GLL for their support in amplifying Drowning Prevention Week's key water safety messages nationwide. By working together, we can all help create communities free from drowning.
"The Water Safety Code is designed to be simple, clear, and easy to remember, equipping people, especially young children and teenagers, with the knowledge they need to stay safe around water, as well as the confidence to make vital early decisions and save lives in an emergency.”