Over 2,000 pupils in South Ayrshire are now equipped with life-saving water safety knowledge after drowning prevention was added to the curriculum.
As part of the existing school swimming programme, 2,146 P5 and P6 pupils across 36 primary schools have benefitted from water safety advice including basic floating and how to survive in cold water.
Before receiving the weekly swimming lessons, 1,675 pupils — 78 per cent — could not swim five metres or complete basic floating.
Now, following a 10-week block, most children are able to complete a minimum of five metres front and backcrawl, without assistance.
Katie Campbell, aquatics development officer at South Ayrshire Council, said: “It’s important that we all stay safe in and around Scotland’s waters – that’s why we introduced one session per week to be solely on water safety.
“Swimming in open water or at the beach can be a fun activity but it is critical that anyone who wishes to do so follows the correct advice and knows the dangers involved.
“Swim teachers will be delivering lessons specially adapted to include key water safety guidance, including the Water Safety Code and basic skills such as floating, which are needed to survive in cold water.
“Being able to swim provides children and young people not only with essential life skills to keep them safe in and around water, but the skills, capabilities and attributes that they pick up helps them to achieve their full potential in life.”
The programme is delivered by four centres in South Ayrshire including Citadel, Prestwick, Maybole and Troon, in partnership with Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water as part of the Learn to Swim framework.
The national Learn to Swim programme was developed to help children of all abilities to become confident, safer and competent swimmers.
Programme ambassador and swimming superstar Duncan Scott first learned to swim in Ayrshire and has gone on to become the most decorated athlete for Team GB at a single Olympic Games.
He said: “In Scotland we are surrounded by miles of coastline and over 30,000 lochs so learning to swim is an essential life skill to keep every child safer in and around water.
“I am proud to promote water safety in my role as Learn to Swim ambassador – after all I first learnt to swim in Ayrshire for water safety reasons rather than to become an Olympic athlete.”
Katie added: “Duncan is a great role model for youngsters and has inspired many across our lessons to stick in - it is an added bonus that he started his journey here in Ayrshire.”
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
