The importance of learning to swim, as well as tips and guidance on how to stay safe in water, was the theme of special assembles at primary schools in Mansfield.

The aquatics team at Rebecca Adlington Leisure Centre and Water Meadows Leisure Complex in the town have launched the Water Safety Assemblies programme.

It has already been delivered to more than 200 pupils during assembly sessions — including at King Edwards Primary School, Mansfield (pictured) — with more schools lined up over the coming weeks.

The idea for the water safety initiative came from Hayley Kirk, aquatics lead for More Community Leisure Trust, which runs the centres in partnership with Serco Leisure.

Hayley, who manages the trust’s Learn to Swim programme and is a passionate advocate for water safety, said: “On average around 400 people accidentally drown in the UK each year. In these assemblies, we want to get across to children the importance of learning to swim, but we also want them to be more aware about water safety overall.

“In the assemblies, we teach them about beach flags and what each colour means. We also show a video of the H.E.L.P position and encourage some of the pupils to come up to the front so they can demonstrate this to the rest of the school.

“Any teacher reading this who’d like us to come in to one of their assemblies, please drop me an email.”

King Edward headteacher Sue Bridges said: “We have our swimming lessons at Water Meadows, and it was brilliant that several instructors visited us to give children some excellent advice about keeping themselves safe around water.”

Mansfield mayor Andy Abrahams added: “Sswimming is an important lifeskill that all children should learn. It instils a strong sense of confidence that they can carry with them throughout life.

“This is a fantastic initiative as water training is critical to help anyone acquire the essential skills to be confident and competent around and in the water.

“Learning to swim, combined with water safety education at an early age, provides the foundations to open up a lifetime of opportunities and confidence with water.

“My daughter went on to train to be a lifeguard, a job that helped finance her way through college and got her a place in a summer camp abroad. You just don’t know what opportunities learning to swim can lead to.”

Schools interested in staging a water safety assembly should email Hayley Kirk – [email protected]