As part of our Cross-Curricular PE, PSHE, and Personal Development programme, all students at The Polygon School have the opportunity to participate in swimming lessons.
At The Polygon School, we believe every young person should have the chance to learn to swim and develop vital water safety awareness skills.
We’re proud to have a strong partnership with a small, family-run pool in Shirley, where we hold weekly, hour-long sessions every Thursday. Each class enjoys at least one half-term block of swimming, focusing on building water confidence, improving swimming technique, and working towards ASA Swimming Awards.
As a school, we’re passionate about ensuring every pupil can access this essential life skill — therefore, swimming is fully funded by the school as part of our curriculum.
Autumn Term Highlights
During Autumn 1, 4PR and 3GR completed a seven-week swimming course.
Students made fantastic progress, particularly in Backstroke, focusing on improving arm entry flexibility and learning to use their hands as paddles to generate propulsion through the water. It was brilliant to see KS4 students linking their practical learning to Science (forces) and GCSE PE theory.
Confidence in the deep end also grew enormously, our two non-swimmers made exceptional progress, bravely entering the water with aids and gradually becoming more independent each week.
Students also demonstrated outstanding oracy skills, coaching and instructing one another — fantastic evidence towards our Voice 21 Autumn Challenge!
A huge well done to Callum for swimming an incredible 1000 meters — a truly remarkable achievement!
Links to PSHE statutory curriculum
Swimming plays a vital role in our PSHE curriculum and supports the outcomes of the 2026 PSHE Framework, including:
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Understanding the benefits of physical activity for mental wellbeing and happiness.
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Learning how to overcome anxiety and barriers to participation through coping strategies and confidence-building.
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Recognising the importance of personal hygiene.
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Understanding that physical activity promotes wellbeing and helps manage stress.
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Exploring the characteristics of a healthy lifestyle, including maintaining a healthy weight and understanding the risks of inactivity.
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Learning to identify and manage risk and stay safe around water, including following the Water Safety Code.
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Recognising and managing peer influence in relation to personal safety.
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Developing lifesaving skills, including how to administer CPR.
Looking Ahead
We can’t wait to welcome 4NT and 3NA to the pool this half term!
Please remember to bring shorts, t-shirts, and flip flops/sliders, even if you’re not swimming, so you can still take part in the water safety elements of the sessions.
