School swimming 6 frequently asked questions

1 What are the objectives of school swimming?

The objectives depend on each cycle, as the program differs according to the age of the children.This is to match their physical and mental capacities as closely as possible.The final objective, from 6th grade onwards, is to pass the 'savoir nager' test.Pupils must complete a complete course consisting of six stages, without returning to their feet once: they must jump or tip backwards from the edge, come to the surface and breathe, pass under an obstacle, swim 20m on their stomach, stay in place for 10 seconds, then swim 20m on their back.

2 How long do swimming cycles last?

In reality, the school curriculum only requires 30 hours of compulsory swimming lessons between CP and CM2.Depending on the schools and options chosen, your child will be able to take school swimming lessons from cycle 1 through to high school, with around 10 to 12 40-minute sessions spread over one of the three terms of the year concerned.

3 Does my child have to go to the pool with the school?

The French Ministry of Education has included swimming in its sports education programs, considering it an essential skill for all children.It is therefore considered compulsory, in the same way as mathematics or languages. Only valid reasons, validated by an exemption, can authorize a child not to swim. But he or she will normally be obliged to follow the rest of the class to the pool.

4 Can I accompany my child's class to the swimming pool?

For kindergarten and primary school classes, groups of pupils must be accompanied by a certain number of external volunteers.So yes, you can accompany your child to the pool.But to do so, you'll need to obtain approval, generally issued by the local education authority and/or the school principal, by proving that you have no criminal record, by taking part in information meetings on safety and the organization of sessions, and lastly by passing a physical test that may vary slightly.In all cases, you must be able to swim at least 50 m without leaning on the ground or wall if you wish to take part in supervising children at the water's edge.

Regarding middle school and high school swimming groups, you will not be able to accompany your child's class to the pool.

5 Will I have to supervise a group of children on my own?

No! Don't worry, the groups are managed by the teachers and lifeguards.Your role is to help them supervise a group and accompany the children to the workshops already in place when you arrive. You'll still have an important role to play in helping children learn to swim.To be an effective guide, listen carefully to the lifeguard or teacher you're assisting. Remember to position yourself near the areas where the children have the most difficulty completing the workshop. Encourage them individually with each small victory. Reassure them. Accompany the most fearful in a more attentive way.

6 Do all children know how to swim by the end of the program?

Not always! It depends on their starting level and rate of progress. Unfortunately, the conditions in which children learn to swim at school are not very conducive to gentle but effective progress (deep pool, large group, heterogeneity of each child's swimming level, very limited effective work time in the water).As proof, in spring 2019, Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu announced that one child in six doesn't know how to swim when they start secondary school.