Series of water safety lesson plans suitable for 5-7 age range, that can be used in a classroom, homeschooling, PE or pool setting. Topical and fun lessons, games, and activities that fit into a range of topics including PSHE, English, Science, Art and ICT. The resources cover basic water safety, and facilitate discussion on what children would do in a given situation, highlighting the different outcomes that might arise from their decisions. The lessons and activities (available as PDF downloads) should be used in conjunction with the accompanying water safety Powerpoint presentation. Each lesson contains delivery instructions, learning objectives and additional resource information. Lessons include: Story Time Spot the dangers Sink or float Acrostic Poem Story cards Make an advert Safe or Unsafe Water Safety Masterpiece Water Safety bingo Who to ask Where do people drown Safe or unsafe Warm Summer’s Day discussion PE sessions - indoor or outdoor Wet side PE sessions - to be used with swimming lessons

Thought provoking lessons which cover the essential areas of drowning prevention, explore decision making around water safety and facilitate discussion around peer pressure. All lessons can be adapted to suit the age range 11-16. Particularly suitable for PSHE ‘Health & Wellbeing’ sessions, the PDF information booklet includes lesson plans which should be used alongside the interactive PowerPoint presentations and video. Lessons include: Interactive presentations -short lessons that cover the essential areas of water safety and drowning prevention at beach and inland sites • Drowning, It’s up to you - an assembly or classroom activity that facilitates discussion on risk taking • Witness Statement - This exercise involves pupils working through a witness statement developed from a real drowning event • Orienteering Hazard Hunt - Pupils put their orientation skills to the test as they seek out hazard awareness and water safety information located around the school grounds

A free accreditation programme, for Primary, Secondary and SEND schools, achieving water safety skills for life. In 2022, there was a 46% increase in the number of accidental fatalities amongst children, compared to the 5-year average. 35 accidental child fatalities were reported - the equivalent of a classroom of children. Developed by our experts The Water Smart Schools Award programme provides a framework for all schools to help them facilitate essential water safety knowledge and skills in their pupils to an excellent standard. The programme provides schools with all the necessary materials to deliver class-based water safety education, utilising our tried and tested, adaptable lesson plans and resources. An holistic approach allows whole school / community involvement, provides School Council with an excellent project base and fosters greater understanding of water safety issues, both locally and further afield. Achieve Bronze, Silver or Gold On completion, a school will receive an accreditation award certificate at one of three challenging and exciting levels: bronze, silver or gold, valid for a period of two years.

Summer is an amazing time to enjoy our beautiful waterways but we must be mindful that warmer weather is directly linked to an increase in fatal drowning incidents. Accidents are mostly preventable with the correct knowledge and judgment and here are our tips to staying safe in the water during the summer.

Water safety classroom activities, PE lesson plans and swim session ideas which are suitable for pupils aged 7-11. A host of resources which teach basic water safety and rescue techniques to help pupils understand how to keep themselves safe and react in an emergency. Lessons include: PE activities - lesson plans and activity cards to teach the water safety code, beach safety, throwing skills and lifeguard fitness Wet side activities - self rescue skills which can be included in swim sessions Classroom activities - Spot the Difference interactive presentation, where do people drown activity and water safety puzzles

This booklet is a fun way to learn how to keep yourself, friends and family safe around water, when the weather turns chilly and new dangers appear. Please share these messages and safety tips with others to help us prevent drownings across the UK and Ireland.

A rise in drowning figures has prompted the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) to encourage parents to teach their children how to stay safe and enjoy water safely every summer, as part of its national Drowning Prevention Week campaign, hosted in June of each year. Throughout 2020 and 2021, millions of children have missed out on vital swimming, lifesaving skills and water safety education during the pandemic due to pool closures, leaving a dramatic gap in school swimming and water safety education. Young people from low incomes and ethnic minority communities have been the hardest hit. A staggering 95 per cent of black adults and 80 per cent of black children do not swim, and this gap has widened still further as a result of Covid-19. Accidental drowning takes an average of 312 UK and Irish citizens each year, and the Royal Life Saving Society UK fears that with cost of living increases and staycations on the up, families will flock to inland water locations and beaches this summer, without the right knowledge and skills, putting themselves and others at risk.

Fourteen-year-old Teya Davies tragically died after slipping into Sniggy Pond in Widnes, trying to help her friend who had fallen into the water before her. Teya’s story is not a ‘one off’- it’s one of many, so RLSS UK has teamed up with Teya’s friends and family to create a powerful video highlighting the importance of water safety, in Teya’s honour. Teya’s friend, Liv Eren said: “We sadly lost our friend, Teya, at the age of 14. When looking back on Teya’s story, we now know how preventable her death could have been if only she knew how to swim, or to keep herself safe in the water. We are pleased to do our bit to prevent others from going through the heartache of losing a friend like we have."