Our policies

We at Strokes Swim School are committed to good practice which protects children from harm. Instructors and volunteers accept and recognise their responsibility to provide an environment which promotes the safety of the child at all times. To achieve this we will:

• Develop an awareness of the issues which may lead to children being harmed.
• Create an open environment by identifying a 'Designated person' to whom the children can turn to if they need to talk.
• Adopt child centred and democratic coaching styles.
• Adopt Safeguarding guidelines through codes of conduct for members and all adults working at the swim school.
• Ensure careful recruitment, selection and management procedures including regular support & supervision for instructors/volunteers.
• Ensure complaints, grievance and disciplinary procedures are included in our constitution.
• Share information about concerns with children and parents and others who need to know.
• Ensure good and safe working/playing practices.
• Be involved in training made available through the various agencies and strengthen links with these agencies.
• Keep Safeguarding policies under regular review (every 3 years minimum).
• Have procedures relating specifically to bullying.

Photography: Once booked in to a course of lessons at Strokes Swim School you are giving permission for us to take photographs of swimmers for social media and advertising purposes. Only swimmers who give written permission upon booking in can opt out. Parents do NOT have permission to take photographs while their child is swimming; no photography on poolside unless taken by Joni Hales or a member of the teaching team. Photography is NOT permitted at all in the changing areas.

Any questions or concerns regarding child welfare please inform the Strokes Swim School Manager on 07881 290073. Alternatively there is a dedicated helpline for anyone wishing to raise a safeguarding or welfare concern directly to the STA: +44 (0)1922 748642 or childprotection@sta.co.uk

Teachers and customers can communicate on poolside at the start or the end of the lesson once all children are with the parents and safe. Teachers must not chat to parents whilst lessons are running.

If poolside is inappropriate for the matter in hand or needs more time, both teachers and customers can liaise through Joni Hales. All swimmers have Joni Hales's mobile number and email and Joni can pass any issues on to the instructor. The customer can also fill in an anonymous form through the Strokes Swim School website on the "send an enquiry" page.

If a problem cannot be resolved between teachers and customers, Joni Hales will deal with the situation. If the problem is with Joni Hales the parents can talk to the instructors who can then contact proprietor Joni Hales. If there is a problem with the manager and owner, the swimmers can contact the STA directly.

We follow the STA learn to swim awards programme. This is a way of tracking progress & rewarding our swimmers for learning new strokes and skills. All our swimmers progress through the levels from Starfish 1 all the way through to Advanced Swimmers and 10,000m. 2 months – 16 years welcomed at Strokes Swim School.

You can order tracker books to show progression through the levels & a manageable booklet for parents to file.

Reports will be sent towards the end of term and parents/guardians will be given the opportunity to purchase badges & certificates if their child would like them. We will email details regarding purchasing towards the end of every term.

Emergency action plan for parents/guardians/swimmers in the event of evacuation. An area evacuation may be needed if there is a fire, explosion, or bomb threat, for example.

• The teachers will organise and lead their class/swimmers; parents can follow behind their class, but all swimmers will be asked to line up with the teacher.
• The swimmers/parents will be guided out of the swimming pool via the fire exit (children closest the exit first) and asked to stand on the playground/car park.
• Teachers will take a register and check changing rooms/toilets.
• We would ask you to wrap your swimmers in a towel or any clothing you have with you; do not re-enter the changing area (at some locations foil blankets will be provided).
• We would ask parents to stay calm, walk in single file lines and reassure swimmers.
• Do not take swimmers home — we need to assess the situation and make sure all swimmers are accounted for before letting them leave.
• Please let the qualified teachers advise and lead.

Evacuation Meeting Points

• Appleton School & Sweyne School: meet on the playground
• The King Edmund School: in the yard/playground
• Waterman's School, Twin Oaks and Rayleigh Boutique: meet on driveway

Poolside Spotters

Spectators act as spotters. Each child must have a parent/guardian on poolside who acts as a spectator. Spotters must alert teachers in emergencies and report any dangers; stay back away from the edge and alert using voice or by going up to the teacher if they are teaching on poolside. The teacher will deal with the emergency from there. Spotters must help teachers call for emergency services if asked to do so.

All guidance taken from the STA code of practice to help keep swimmers safe at all times.

Teachers may support the non-swimmer/beginner swimmer by holding under the head, holding hands or using floatation devices. Swimmers are never forced or pulled.

All teachers have DBS and safeguarding qualifications. Teachers are observed by parents, poolside assistants and other teachers and will only use best practice when manually supporting a swimmer.

If any parents/guardians do NOT wish for their child to be taught with manual support/assistance by the teacher, please email us and make us aware — we will add a note to the register and inform the teacher.

We would advise manual support to help progress the swimmer through the beginner stages and also improvers if learning a new skill such as diving, but we will only manually support with parents/guardians' full support.

Absent Swimmer Policy

If your swimmer is unwell or cannot attend lessons for any reason there is no need to contact us if not attending for a week or two — all swimmer places are held and we do expect illness and the occasional absence.

If your swimmer is going to miss lessons for more than two weeks for an operation or other reason, please contact us by sending us an email and we can pass any messages on to their swimming teacher.

We do not offer credits or refunds for missed swims (unless we cancel lessons our end, in which case we may add replacement swims during school holidays or credits on account).

Illness Policy

• You should not attend lessons if your swimmer/spectator has any contagious illnesses such as measles, conjunctivitis, chicken pox, COVID-19 etc. Any swimmers suffering with diarrhoea or sickness must not swim for 48 hours after the episode.
• If the swimmer is bleeding or has deep grazes we would ask swimmers not to attend and consult their doctor for advice on when to return.
• Verrucas should be covered with waterproof gel/protective layer (bazooka treatment available in chemists or supermarkets).
• If your swimmer is not completely potty trained, please bring them in a happy nappy or disposable nappy and take all nappies home for disposal.
• Nose bleeds: bleeding needs to be completely stopped to swim.

Once you are booked in with us, your swimmer's place will automatically be held into the following term. However, payment is required before the end of the current term for the following one.

We ask for a whole term payment in advance to secure places. We will email invoices and reminders, plus add updates regarding making payment to social media platforms — please like our Facebook page.

We collect payments towards the end of the current term for the following term. As school term dates change each year we will contact you regarding exact payment dates. We will provide a payment cut-off date and send reminders so all parents know payment is due. Unfortunately, if you miss the payment cut-off date we will need to release your swimmer's space to our waiting list customers.

Lessons cannot be paid weekly. We are sensitive to hardship cases (manager's discretion).

If you have not heard from us towards the end of the term and you have checked social media for updates, please contact us.

All members of Strokes Swim School (instructors, helpers, swimmers & spectators) are expected to act in accordance with the policy outlined below to help create an inclusive, positive, safe and rewarding environment for everyone who attends.

• Treating each other fairly with courtesy, respect and consideration at all times.
• Creating a working, learning and social environment that is open to all regardless of background or personal circumstances, including all protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

We will not tolerate bullying or harassment of any kind including discrimination and victimisation. All instructors are required to treat colleagues and students with respect.

Unacceptable behaviour includes: aggressive or abusive behaviour, spreading malicious rumours, overbearing supervision or other misuse of power or position, unwanted physical contact, offensive comments or body language.

Pathway of action:

• If the concern is a spectator towards another spectator: report in person to an instructor on poolside. If it cannot be resolved on poolside, email Joni Hales.
• If the concern is regarding an instructor: email Joni Hales or follow the anonymous complaints procedure on our website.
• If the concern is about Joni Hales: contact the STA directly.

Challenging or rude behaviour will not be tolerated and spectators/instructors/swimmers will be asked to leave the premises with immediate effect.

Strokes Swim School holds full public liability insurance. A copy of the current certificate is available on request.

From September 2024, every child enrolled on to lessons at Strokes Swim School will be required to wear a swimming hat (for children 3 years and upwards).

To purchase a branded Strokes Swim School hat, please search "Strokes Swim School" on Etsy or visit our Etsy shop.

The policy has been introduced for the following reasons:

• Wearing a swimming hat helps to reduce pollutants in the water, allowing us to reduce chemicals and improve water quality. It also helps prevent pool closures due to water clarity issues and hair blocking pool filters.
• Swimming hats help prevent ear infections and protect hair from chlorine and other pool chemicals.
• Hats keep long hair out of pupils' faces.
• Swimming hats act as a safety feature, allowing the swimming teacher to identify swimmers easily.

Considerations: We understand some children have sensory issues — those with SEN diagnosis, we recommend fabric material hats over silicone. Any issues please get in contact with us.

Strokes Swim School operates a "3 strike rule":

• 1st: verbal reminder to parents that hats need to be worn.
• 2nd: another verbal reminder on poolside.
• 3rd: parent is told that the next time the child arrives without a hat they will not be allowed to participate.
• 4th occasion: child informed they can't participate unless they purchase a new hat.

We will have spare swimming hats on poolside that children can use at their own risk. These are used hats and must be handed back at the end of the session. It is not a requirement to wear a Strokes Swim School branded hat but it is preferred.