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Daily Record
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Superheroes from West Lothian stay safe around water thanks to innovative education approach
The campaign is rooted in the Learn to Swim national framework. Swimming lessons are being transformed into water safety workshops for superheroes in a bold and innovative approach by West Lothian Leisure. Vital water safety education is being imbedded across all its sporting disciplines – inspired and led by the Learn to Swim programme. The campaign is rooted in the Learn to Swim national framework, a partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water. West Lothian Leisure is now taking the core principles of Learn to Swim even further during Drowning Prevention Week. Instead of regular practice, swimming lessons across the trust are being transformed into water safety workshops and uniquely, coaches from gymnastics, football, badminton and golf are also delivering water safety messages through fun, creative activities. At the heart of the initiative is the 'Superheroes – Call 999!' theme, where children dress as their favourite superheroes while learning the Water Safety Code. The campaign spans all ages, from baby and adult swimming classes to sports sessions for young people, ensuring more families across West Lothian receive life-saving knowledge. To ensure maximum impact, West Lothian Leisure coaches underwent targeted training and held a dedicated focus cay. Throughout Drowning Prevention Week, water safety was reinforced through interactive learning, games, and competitions at venues across the region. The National Water Safety Forum reported that tragically in 2024 there were 33 accidental drownings in Scotland, highlighting the critical importance of water safety education heading into summer. Lorraine Pollock, sports development manager at West Lothian Leisure, said: 'This initiative is powered by our participation in the Learn to Swim programme. Drowning Prevention Week is the perfect moment to showcase how water safety can reach far beyond swimming lessons. 'We've made it our mission to get every child – whether they're in the pool, on the football pitch or in the gym – engaging with water safety in a way that's fun, memorable, and potentially life-saving. "Through our 'Superheroes – Call 999!' theme, we're making safety relatable for families across West Lothian.' West Lothian Leisure is one of 38 delivery partners of the Learn to Swim programme, a Scotland-wide initiative that equips children with skills for life – both in and around the water. John Lunn, CEO of Scottish Swimming, said: 'This is a fantastic example of the Learn to Swim ethos in action. West Lothian Leisure's all-sport approach demonstrates innovative thinking and shows how the programme can be adapted to reach even more families and communities with crucial water safety messages.' Peter Farrer, chief operating officer at Scottish Water, added: 'We cannot over-emphasise the importance of water safety all year round, but it's particularly relevant over summer months when people are often more likely to be around water. 'So, it's great that Xcite are rolling their water safety sessions out beyond swim lessons and will reach even more people with the vital knowledge and skills to help them feel safer in, on and around water.' Drowning Prevention Week, organised by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), is one of the largest water safety campaigns in the UK and Ireland. It aims to equip everyone with the skills and knowledge to stay safe around water. The Learn to Swim National Framework helps more than 82,000 children build confidence and skills in the water every week across 167 pools in Scotland.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Major new shake-up to Scots primary school curriculum after long-fought campaign
Bosses at St Andrew's First Aid have campaigned for years. LIFESAVING LESSONS Major new shake-up to Scots primary school curriculum after long-fought campaign Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KIDS across Scotland will get a new lease of life - as teachers can finally teach them vital medical skills. Bosses at St Andrew's First Aid have campaigned for years to bring courses to the classroom - as youngsters are sponges for learning critical care steps. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth MSP has championed the move. Credit: Alamy 2 Kids can help save lives in the future. Credit: St Andrews first aid Now the charity - the only of its kind in the country - has officially launched the Scottish Primary School First Aid Programme. This means teachers can access free and easy online plans to give students lifesaving lessons. Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Ms Jenny Gilruth, said: 'Learning and teaching in school is about equipping young people with knowledge, understanding and skills to prepare them for life beyond school. 'No-one expects to have to deal with a medical emergency, but first aid skills can be crucial in supporting the response to one. 'This initiative from St Andrew's First Aid will help equip primary pupils with potentially lifesaving skills, benefitting them and our wider society.' The journey towards the programme began in 2018 when the charity highlighted that Scotland-wide research showed children as young as five were able to play a role in helping to save a life using first aid. This led to the idea to create a dedicated training resource for teachers, which would empower them to deliver vital first aid education to pupils from P1 through to P7. It was piloted in partnership with Stirling Council in 2021 to identify any barriers to the scheme proving successful. Since then, St Andrew's First Aid has trained 56 teachers from 31 of the 40 primary schools in the local authority. Jim Dorman, director of operations and community engagement at St Andrew's First Aid said: 'The launch of this initiative is the culmination of many years of research, engagement and hard work – and we are thrilled to be in a position to finally make our ambition, a reality. Children First Aid: Choking 'There is considerable amounts of evidence, including our own, which demonstrates that young children can play an active and valuable role in helping to save a life. 'This project is about giving teachers the confidence and resources to introduce first aid into their classrooms, helping to ensure children across Scotland gain the knowledge and skills they need to act in an emergency.' The charity is urging teachers to find out more about the programme and to register to receive access to its online learning platform and comprehensive suite of digital teaching resources via its website. Teacher training days will also be made available to support staff with continuing professional development opportunities, helping them to feel confident in the delivery of the programme. Sessions are designed to be delivered in short 20 to 40 minute, age-appropriate lessons, either flexibly over seven years or as one full four-hour course. Upon completion of the Scottish Primary School First Aid Programme, schools will be able to apply for certificates for every pupil who has completed the course to recognise their achievement. The charity is also set to launch SAFE: St Andrew's Framework for Education ahead of the new academic session in August 2025. The framework will reward schools for the teaching of first aid and for establishing a wider caring community through four banded levels, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. The skills are especially valuable - as it's believed lives are being lost due to a lack of first aid knowledge. Last month the charity revealed seven per cent of Scottish adults found themselves in situations where they could have stepped in to provide first aid but chose not to. Its analysis suggested that those who opt not to step in to help could equate to 224 lives potentially being lost. The hope is that the sooner people learn about first aid, the more confident in their skills they will be as they get older. Dorman added: 'The success of the Stirling pilot has shown us just how much of a difference this programme can make — and we're excited to now be offering this opportunity to schools nationwide." There are seven core topics in the programme, with each designed to focus on a specific area of first aid. Session one for P1 students onwards is about calling for help and teaches how to spot real emergencies, choose the right service and give the right information. The next stage for P2 and above teaches how to stay safe, check a casualty, and assist emergency services. From P3, kids learn what's inside a First Aid Kit and how to perform both primary and secondary surveys. While P4 students and older have access to lessons on wounds and bleeding, burns, breathing conditions and CPR and defibrillation. To download the teaching materials and to understand how the lessons work, go to
Daily Record
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Ayrshire swimmers set to learn vital water safety skills as part of Drowning Prevention Week
Swimming pools across the country are adapting their lessons into workshops on water safety Over 2000 youngsters in North Ayrshire are set to learn vital water safety skills as part of Drowning Prevention Week. Learn to Swim lessons at KA Leisure facilities are teaching children how to be safer in and around water during June as part of a Scotland-wide campaign. Swimming pools across the country are adapting and transforming their regular swimming lessons into workshops which will focus specifically on water safety knowledge and skills. Swimmers will learn the crucial Water Safety Code as well as basic floating techniques which can make a massive difference when someone feels in danger in the water and that could help save their lives or someone else's. The special lessons come as latest figures reveal the ongoing risks around Scotland's waters with the National Water Safety Forum reporting that tragically in 2024 there were 33 accidental drownings in Scotland. Drowning prevention is one of the main objectives for the Learn to Swim National Framework and in June each year the programme does a major water safety push to coincide with Drowning Prevention Week, where youngsters take part in a bespoke water safety swim lesson delivered by the leisure trusts and aquatic providers. John Lunn, CEO of Scottish Swimming, said: 'Every June, our Learn to Swim classes shift focus to concentrate on water safety. 'It's not just about being a strong swimmer- understanding how to recognise hazards, help others in distress and make smart decisions around water is equally important.' Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, added: ''We cannot over-emphasise the importance of water safety all year round, but it's particularly relevant as we approach summer when people are often more likely to be around water. 'These water safety lessons provide an opportunity to equip people with the vital knowledge and skills to help them feel safer in, on and around water, and help their parents and family network feel confident and comfortable in their swimming abilities.' Drowning Prevention Week, organised by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), stands as one of the largest water safety campaigns in the UK and Ireland. here.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Learn to Swim lessons in Lanarkshire teaching kids how to be safer in and around water
Swimmers are set to learn the crucial Water Safety Code as well as basic floating techniques which can make a massive difference when someone feels in danger in the water and that could help save their lives or someone else's. Learn to Swim lessons in Lanarkshire are teaching children how to be safer in and around water during this month to mark Drowning Prevention Week as part of a Scotland-wide campaign. From Shetland to the Borders, swimming pools are adapting and transforming their regular swimming lessons into workshops which will focus specifically on water safety knowledge and skills. Swimmers are set to learn the crucial Water Safety Code as well as basic floating techniques which can make a massive difference when someone feels in danger in the water and that could help save their lives or someone else's. The special lessons come as latest figures reveal the ongoing risks around Scotland's waters, the National Water Safety Forum reported that tragically in 2024 there were 33 accidental drownings in Scotland. Drowning prevention is one of the main objectives for the Learn to Swim National Framework and in June each year the programme does a major water safety push to coincide with Drowning Prevention Week, where youngsters take part in a bespoke water safety swim lesson delivered by the leisure trusts and aquatic providers. John Lunn, CEO of Scottish Swimming, said: 'Every June, our Learn to Swim classes shift focus to concentrate on water safety. 'It's not just about being a strong swimmer- understanding how to recognise hazards, help others in distress and make smart decisions around water is equally important.' Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, added: ''We cannot over-emphasise the importance of water safety all year round, but it's particularly relevant as we approach summer when people are often more likely to be around water. 'These water safety lessons provide an opportunity to equip people with the vital knowledge and skills to help them feel safer in, on and around water, and help their parents and family network feel confident and comfortable in their swimming abilities.' The Learn to Swim National Framework is delivered by 38 leisure trusts and aquatic providers in 167 pools from Shetland to the Borders with the vision of creating 'Generation Swim', a generation of children who are confident, safer and competent swimmers, who will also get to experience the wider health and social benefits that swimming can offer. The programme currently reaches around 82,000 children across Scotland who will have access to a new interactive water safety quiz that has been developed to improve water safety knowledge this year. Drowning Prevention Week, organised by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), stands as one of the largest water safety campaigns in the UK and Ireland.
Edinburgh Reporter
5 days ago
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Life-saving lessons during Drowning Prevention Week
More than 8,300 youngsters to learn vital water safety skills this June. It's not just about front crawl and backstrokes, Learn to Swim lessons in Edinburgh Leisure are teaching children how to be safer in and around water during this month to mark Drowning Prevention Week as part of a Scotland-wide campaign. From Shetland to the Borders, swimming pools are adapting and transforming their regular swimming lessons into workshops which will focus specifically on water safety knowledge and skills. Swimmers are set to learn the crucial Water Safety Code as well as basic floating techniques which can make a massive difference when someone feels in danger in the water and that could help save their lives or someone else's. The special lessons come as latest figures reveal the ongoing risks around Scotland's waters, the National Water Safety Forum reported that tragically in 2024 there were 33 accidental drownings in Scotland. Drowning prevention is one of the main objectives for the Learn to Swim National Framework and in June each year the programme does a major water safety push to coincide with Drowning Prevention Week, where youngsters take part in a bespoke water safety swim lesson delivered by the leisure trusts and aquatic providers. John Lunn, CEO of Scottish Swimming, said: 'Every June, our Learn to Swim classes shift focus to concentrate on water safety. 'It's not just about being a strong swimmer- understanding how to recognise hazards, help others in distress and make smart decisions around water is equally important.' Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, added: ''We cannot over-emphasise the importance of water safety all year round, but it's particularly relevant as we approach summer when people are often more likely to be around water. 'These water safety lessons provide an opportunity to equip people with the vital knowledge and skills to help them feel safer in, on and around water, and help their parents and family network feel confident and comfortable in their swimming abilities.' The Learn to Swim National Framework is delivered by 38 leisure trusts and aquatic providers in 167 pools from Shetland to the Borders with the vision of creating 'Generation Swim', a generation of children who are confident, safer and competent swimmers, who will also get to experience the wider health and social benefits that swimming can offer. The programme currently reaches around 82,000 children across Scotland who will have access to a new interactive water safety quiz that has been developed to improve water safety knowledge this year. The Learn to Swim National Framework is committed to creating inclusive, supportive, and quality environments in which individuals can learn to swim regardless of their age, ability or skill level. Drowning Prevention Week, organised by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), stands as one of the largest water safety campaigns in the UK and Ireland. Like this: Like Related
