Westoe Crown Primary School

Westoe Crown Primary School in South Shields recently celebrated a significant milestone by completing the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK)'s Water Smart Schools accreditation.

This achievement marks a profound commitment to enhancing water safety awareness among students, especially crucial given the school's proximity to various bodies of water. Once the school had achieved the Water Smart Schools accreditation, we caught up with Year 6 teacher, and member of South Shields Volunteer Lifeguard Club, Brett McIntyre, to see how they found the experience.

How did you find the Water Smart Schools programme overall?

An amazing addition to what RLSS UK offers - especially schools that live close to different types of water. It addresses many areas where children can become confident from understanding signs and symbols; what to do in a water emergency; First Aid and CPR and creating links to local RLSS clubs. The administration, materials and guidance were clear and the communication and support from the Water Smart Officer was excellent. The children loved it, the staff enjoyed delivering it and I was proud to implement it at Westoe Crown being a RLSS TA for over 20 years in South Shields.  

What positives did you take from the course?

Children loved the field trips to the beach to take part in many water-based activities from surfing to rockpooling while also having a talk from the lifeguards on duty before completing their beach safety activities. These activities focused on flag understanding, riptide identification, the water safety code and how to avoid man and natural hazards. The children also really enjoyed class-based activities as part of their PSHE - utilising teaching methods and complete work creating poetry, reading a novel about water and using art skills to bring their understanding to life. The Y6 children have become experts in First Aid and CPR - completing a 6 week course before an assessment to determine their competency - all passed! 

Was there anything that stood out during the programme?

The intro pack, the exemplary guidance for each criteria element and the support from RLSS UK to complete the award.  

Teacher and student feedback

Teacher’s Perspective:

Mrs Proctor, Head Teacher: "Westoe Crown has embraced the Water Smart Award and I am so pleased we have 'Water Smart' children and they can use this to help keep themselves and others safe near places of water"

Student’s Reflection:

Elliot, Year 6: "At the weekend, I used my knowledge of the beach flags to know what to do when I went to the beach with my mam. I had to tell her what they meant!"

The impact of the Water Smart Schools programme at Westoe Crown Primary School has been profound, with both students and staff expressing immense satisfaction and pride. Field trips to the beach, engaging class-based activities, and rigorous First Aid and CPR training have equipped the children with invaluable knowledge and skills. The enthusiasm and competence displayed by the students underscore the programme's success. Westoe Crown Primary School's completion of the RLSS UK's Water Smart Schools accreditation is a commendable achievement, well done.