What is Top Up Swimming?

Top up swimming is an intervention designed to enable every child to achieve the KS2 standard in swimming at primary school.

GENERAL

When do we have to complete ALL Top Up lessons in our Schools Sports Partnership?

All top up’s must be delivered by July 2008.

Should we deliver to all primaries in our Schools Sports Partnership?

This is your decision - whether to target the funding or spread it across all the primaries.  But it should only got to schools currently providing school swimming.  However this could be used as an incentive to start/increase participation for those with poor delivery.

What reward/recognition will the children receive?

All pupils who take part will receive a Top Up Certificate provided by the ASA, in addition they should be supplied with information on exit routes relating to aquatic activities at their local leisure centre. Some Leisure providers are also offering free family swims and discounted lessons.

When must the programme take place?

Top Up’s should be carried out during curriculum time, out of hours school learning.

What is the most successful model used?

Schools Sports Partnerships have used a variety of models that have proved to be equally effective, however frequency of the lessons is one of the main elements that has greatly attributed to the success of the project. Three aspects of delivery should be looked at

 - Improving the quality of tuition
 - Increasing the frequency of the lessons
 - Reducing the teacher child ratios

If all three things are put into practice there will be huge success, if only one of the above is implemented then success will be negligible, if nothing is changed then the likelihood is there will be no improvement.

What provision can be made for pupils taking part in Top Up Swimming with special needs if due to their disability it means 25M is not a realistic goal, but they show a high level of improvement?

When Partnership Development Managers include children with special needs this should be supported by all concerned as all children are to be encouraged to participate in the Top Up sessions, if they are from special schools then they will have individually set targets for KS2 activities

Can lessons be delivered to Y3, Y4, and Y5?

Y6 are a priority, however if swimming is delivered at other years and there are pupils nearing the end of KS1 who look likely to be able to achieve the K2 standard with some additional help, then resources can be targeted there.

Who should accompany the children to their swimming lessons?

When ever possible this should be the class teacher as they have an important role in supporting the swimming teacher and advising them on any pupil problems such as identifying pupils with learning difficulties.  If in any doubt contact your Local Authority Education PE Advisor, or consult your school swimming policy.

Which ability group should the Qualified Level 2 swimming teacher teach in a normal School Swimming Programme?

A qualified swimming teacher is responsible for the teaching and delivery of swimming to the whole group, their expertise should be directed towards all pupils ensuring they reach their full potential and achieve the KS2 attainment level required.

However they are sometimes positioned at the deep end of the pool with an advanced group due to health and safety reasons. But this may not be the best use of their skills. They could be better utilised at the non-swimmer level.

One of my schools provides swimming in year 3 then year 4 and that's it.  Have you any suggestions of how to identify their year 6's? 

You can audit your current Year 6 and identify children from the results received, however they could prove to be inaccurate if they have not swum since achieving their 25M in Year four. Therefore if possible it would be advisable to organise a single assessment session for Year 6 to establish their current ability this will ensure you have made the correct selection.

Who is responsible for the children’s safety while attending the top up lessons and the pool?

Throughout Top Up Swimming lessons and swimming generally, the duty of care of pupils rests with school staff. This applies to school staff when performing their duties during curriculum time or OSHL, on or off the school premises.

What audit information should I be collecting from Primary Schools to assist in the delivery of the Top Up swimming programme?

The majority of Partnership Development Managers will distribute a survey to all primaries in their partnership, this will include a number of questions, for example;

 - Do you provide swimming lessons for your pupils?
 - If yes which year groups attend?
 - What is the venue?
 - Who runs the lessons?
 - Are you satisfied with the quality of teaching?
 - How do you monitor the achievements of pupils?
 - Do you use any recognised awards to celebrate pupil’s achievements?

There is also a Key Stage Two Assessment sheet template available to access if required when auditing.

TRAINING

What size pool is required for the National Curriculum Training Programme Module One course?

The minimum requirement measurements are 12m x 6m, for further information click on the link below

http://www.britishswimming.org/vsite/vnavsite/page/directory/0,10853,5026-142850-160066-nav-list,00.html

Can Adults Other Than Teachers [AOTTS] attend Module 1 & 2 Courses?

People with the following qualifications are permitted to attend:

 - Qualified School Teacher status.  Teachers in training may also take part in the course. A letter confirming attendance on the programme will be provided which can be exchanged for a certificate on completion of the teacher training course and submission of the appropriate evidence.
 - Holder of the ASA Level 2 Certificate for the Teaching of Swimming (or equivalent). 
 - Adults other than Teachers are permitted to attend this course and will be awarded the Adults other than Teachers (AOTTs) Helper Certificate.

What qualifications should the swimming teacher have?

A Level Two Swimming Teaching qualification, ideally with a minimum of two years prior teaching experience and a clear understanding of the national curriculum. 

FUNDING

When will Year 2 Schools Sports Partnerships receive their money?

Funding choice forms should have been returned and you will receive your monies In April 2007.

Do Partnership Development Managers receive the same amount of funding again next year?

No this is a single grant to deliver the Top Up Scheme for 2006-2008 within your Schools Sports Partnership.

Will there be any more funding after 2008?

Future funding is being reviewed.

What can we spend the funding on?

The funding should generally cover Pool Hire, Swimming Teachers Transport costs and buying Specialist Teacher or supply cover time, any additional expenses  [such as the purchase of equipment] should be discussed with your Top Up Coordinator.

Who will monitor the spending and results if it is handed it over to an outside partnership to deliver?

Records should be kept by all parties concerned, however it should be the duty of the main lead deliverer for the project to monitor, record and send all results to the ASA Top Up Coordinator, who will pass them on to the DfES. The PDM is still overall responsible for Top Up Swimming session’s delivery and costings within their partnership.