- The instructor : student ratio is 1:15. All teachers who accompany students to the pool will be required to instruct and/or supervise a group of students.
- Participating Schools must provide a teacher to take a group. This enthusiastic teacher will be guided by SSS at the pool. Appropriate lesson content and activities will follow SSS guidelines.
- In addition to providing staff to fulfil instructional requirements, schools should ensure that appropriate arrangements have been made for supervision of the pool deck and for students who leave their instructional group for any reason.
- Reduced instructor : student ratios apply to Schools for Specific Purposes, students with disabilities in regular schools and classes from Intensive English Centres. The involvement of class teachers should ensure that no group need exceed half the normal class size.
- The principal should assess the level and type of supervision which needs to be provided. Aspects which should be considered in this assessment are:
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- Nature and location of the activity (prior inspection of the location may be required to identify potential dangers)
- Number of students involved and their swimming ability or water experience
- Age, maturity and gender of students
- Method of travel (including walking), the distance to travel and the route to be taken
- Experience and qualifications of the adult supervisors
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- For students with disabilities, supervision requirements will vary and need to be assessed accordingly. Advice should be sought from those who contribute to the total education program for particular students, eg. parents, caregivers, teachers, teacher's aids, school counsellors and health care professionals. Teachers aides should assist with the tuition of students in the water.
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When epileptic students participate in swimming activities, there must be one supervisor, not necessarily a teacher, for each such child in the water. A teacher must always be responsible for the overall supervision of the group.
- Swimming classes should only be held only for the number of students for which qualified instructors are available. When through sickness, an instructor is not available, the swimming classes must be reduced by the proportionate number of students unless another suitably qualified teacher is available. Under no circumstances is a group to be left unsupervised.
- Appropriately qualified and/or experienced adults may be included in the supervision plan, provided that the principal is satisfied with their ability, qualifications, bona fides and that there are sufficient teachers to maintain control of the activity and be responsible for supervision.
- All teachers must be ready to render assistance in case of an emergency. It is desirable that all teachers are in swimming attire.
- The teacher-in-charge of the program must arrange for all areas of the swimming facility to be supervised, including the changing facilities. If possible, provision should be made for a male and female teacher (or parent if only one teacher) to supervise the respective boy and girl dressing places.
- Underwater swimming should be restricted to that required in structured programs and closely supervised.
- No diving.
- Special supervision must be exercised over students entering the water and in the vicinity of any diving tower.
- The teacher-in-charge must observe the following procedures:
- The roll is to be called immediately prior to the swimming party leaving the school and confirmed on arrival at the swimming facility
- Students are to be counted and paired at the facility before entering the water
- Each student is to be instructed to advise the teacher if his or her partner is in difficulties or cannot be located
- All students in the water must be continuously supervised
- Teachers must make a thorough check of the water to ascertain that all students have left the water
- Teachers are to mark rolls after students have dressed and have congregated near the facility exit. Students are to be marked off the roll as they are dismissed and exit the pool premises. One teacher is to remain inside the venue until all students are marked off the roll and have exited the premises
- If a student is missing, teachers must check the pool, the pool surrounds and change rooms; inform the pool attendant and the student's parents or caregiver
- No misbehaviour is allowed. Account should be taken of any language difficulty in instructions and directions
- Under no circumstances is a student to be dismissed or marked off the roll within the facility.
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