Swimming Season

Hauxton Community swimming pool is a fantastic resource funded entirely by our Hauxton School Association (HSA) Swimming Pool Committee for the benefit of all children at our school. It receives no financial support from the Local Authority or school budget, making it a truly community-supported facility.

Our school staff are trained to teach swimming and receive annual First Aid training, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to learn to swim during their time at Hauxton.

The National Curriculum requires all primary schools to teach swimming in Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2. At Hauxton, we go further by offering Swimming lessons from Reception to Year 6 in our school pool

Curriculum Aims

Children are taught to:

Swim competently, confidently, and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres
Use a range of strokes effectively (e.g. front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke)
Perform safe self-rescue in various water-based situations

Inclusive and Enjoyable Learning

Lessons are full of fun activities and water games, designed to build skills while ensuring enjoyment. Staff carefully adapt each session to support children of all confidence levels and abilities, helping everyone achieve their full potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

How deep is the pool?

The water level in our pool is 1.2 m deep at the deepest point. The shallow end is approximately chest height for our youngest children and waist height for our oldest.

How warm is the school pool?

We aim to maintain our pool temperature at approximately 30–35°C to ensure comfort and warmth for all swimmers.

Who teaches my child’s swimming lessons?

Our class teachers, who know your child well, lead the swimming lessons. They receive annual training in swimming instruction and water-specific first aid.

Is the teacher in the water during lessons?

No, all swimming lessons are led from the side of the pool.

Does the whole class swim at the same time?

No, children are grouped according to their water confidence and ability. Group sizes are always fewer than 12 children.

What programme will my child follow?

Lessons follow the Cambridgeshire County Council’s scheme of work for teaching Physical Education.

Are lessons tailored to different ability levels?

Yes, as in all our lessons, learning is adapted to meet each child's individual needs, including swimming ability and confidence.

How long will my child spend in the water during each lesson?

Typically, children spend 20–25 minutes in the pool per session.

Do you liaise with local swimming centres?

We work closely with parents to understand each child’s water confidence. As children progress, we communicate this progress back to you.

How Parents Can Support at Home

Confidence is key when learning to swim. One of the best ways to support your child is by helping them become comfortable going underwater and resurfacing safely.

Try these simple activities:

1. Underwater Retrieval Games

Start in shallow water. Throw a small object into the pool and have your child retrieve it.
At first, they may only need to bend down to get it, but try to encourage them to go just deep enough to put their head under water.
Use goggles to protect their eyes and help them feel more confident.

2. The “Rocket” Game

Take your child to water that is chest-deep.
Ask them to squat down until their head is just underwater. You can say hello under the water to reassure them.
Then, have them jump up and launch out of the water like a rocket!

Tip: Gradually move to slightly deeper water as their confidence grows, but always ensure they can safely stand up and never push beyond their comfort level.