More than 3,500 children across Neath Port Talbot are better equipped to stay safe around water after taking part in a county wide education programme.
Since May, pupils have been participating in Water Smart Schools, a programme delivered by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) to help children develop practical water safety skills and awareness.
The initiative teaches pupils how to recognise risks, make safer choices and build confidence around water through age appropriate learning.
The programme includes five classroom sessions, Key Stage 2 swimming lessons, a visit to Crucial Crew and an educational session delivered by the RNLI.
During RLSS UK’s Drowning Prevention Week in June, the first five schools achieved the Water Smart Schools Bronze Award. They were Alderman Davies Church in Wales Primary, Awel Y Môr Primary, Blaengwrach Primary, Gnoll Primary and Ysgol Carreg Hir.
Since then, a further 21 schools have completed the programme and also received Bronze Award status.
The schools are Baglan Primary, Blaenbaglan Primary, Blaendulais Primary, Catwg Primary, Crynallt Primary, Cwmnedd Primary, Eastern Primary, Sandfields Primary, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary, Tonna Primary, Tywyn Primary, YGG Blaendulais, YGG Castell-nedd, YGG Cwmllynfell, YGG Cwmnedd, YGG Gwaun Cae Gurwen, YGG Pontardawe, YGG Rhosafan, YGG Trebannws, YGG Tyle’r Ynn and Ysgol Bae Baglan.
The programme is set to continue, with the team working alongside more primary schools across Neath Port Talbot to extend its reach to even more pupils.
Cllr Nia Jenkins, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years, said:
“Now the summer holidays have started, it’s reassuring to know more than 3,500 children across Neath Port Talbot have benefited from this important water safety programme. Learning how to spot the risks, make safe choices and be confident yet sensible around water are life skills that can help keep our young people safe both now and in the future.
“A huge well done to all pupils and staff at 26 schools, and a special thank you again to delivery partners Celtic Leisure, Afan Valley Swimming, Freedom Leisure, RNLI Port Talbot and Crucial Crew for their continued support.
“We are proud to support projects that benefit the wellbeing and safety of local children, and I look forward to seeing even more schools across Neath Port Talbot take part in the Water Smart Schools programme in the years ahead.”
