Is swimming compulsory in secondary school?
07 September 2006, 12:47 PM
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Is swimming compulsory in secondary school?
Well....Harrison has bought his timetable home from secondary school and has swimming as one of his PE lessons......
Thing is he still cannot swim, he has had swimming lessons since he was two and a half and is now eleven and a half, had numerous teachers....but he just cannot do it and so now dreads going swimming....even on holiday he will not go in a pool or the sea and we just don`t know what to do next??? We have tried loads of things but no-one seems to get through this barrier he has!!!!
I have spoken to him about it and he is quite willing to do another sport or stay in school and do theory work...so what do I do???
Approach the school and tell them the situation?
Insist he does swimming again...even though he will not take his feet off the bottom of the pool?
Keep him off school while that lesson is going ahead...(which I don`t want to do as this is his first year in secondary school)
So is swimming compulsory or does anyone think we stand a good chance of opting out of this one.....
Info would be good from all angles....
Ta very much
Joan.
Thing is he still cannot swim, he has had swimming lessons since he was two and a half and is now eleven and a half, had numerous teachers....but he just cannot do it and so now dreads going swimming....even on holiday he will not go in a pool or the sea and we just don`t know what to do next??? We have tried loads of things but no-one seems to get through this barrier he has!!!!
I have spoken to him about it and he is quite willing to do another sport or stay in school and do theory work...so what do I do???
Approach the school and tell them the situation?
Insist he does swimming again...even though he will not take his feet off the bottom of the pool?
Keep him off school while that lesson is going ahead...(which I don`t want to do as this is his first year in secondary school)
So is swimming compulsory or does anyone think we stand a good chance of opting out of this one.....
Info would be good from all angles....
Ta very much
Joan.
Last edited by JoanUK300; 07 September 2006 at 12:54 PM.
07 September 2006, 12:51 PM
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He needs to swim...... even if the nugget wont take his feet off the bottom of the pool... let him stand there... he'll soon get used to the water and be off like Thorpe................... 
You are way too soft and I expect to see you on an episode of Teen Tamer fairly soon......
You are way too soft and I expect to see you on an episode of Teen Tamer fairly soon......
07 September 2006, 12:51 PM
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Don't think I particularly liked swimming til (guessing) 6 or 7.
Couldn't get enough after that,
He must keep going.Most important thing to learn,however long it takes.Good luck
Couldn't get enough after that,
He must keep going.Most important thing to learn,however long it takes.Good luck
07 September 2006, 12:54 PM
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There are 1,260,000,000,000,000,000,000 litres of water on this planet - 70% of all the planet mass. It would be madness not to beat him until he learns. 
07 September 2006, 12:56 PM
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Make him do it. Christ even dogs can swim so he should be able to learn. I'm sure they'll have a remedial group he can join and ensure he's bullied once they return to class.
07 September 2006, 12:58 PM
#6
As you've guessed you'll have to speak to the school about it- different schools have different policies.
In general though you have to provide some medical evidence, i.e. doctor's note to opt out. The school won't like to be seen to budge too easily or it'll set an example to other students.
Nick
In general though you have to provide some medical evidence, i.e. doctor's note to opt out. The school won't like to be seen to budge too easily or it'll set an example to other students.
Nick
07 September 2006, 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by DCI Gene Hunt
He needs to swim...... even if the nugget wont take his feet off the bottom of the pool... let him stand there... he'll soon get used to the water and be off like Thorpe...................
You are way too soft and I expect to see you on an episode of Teen Tamer fairly soon......
You are way too soft and I expect to see you on an episode of Teen Tamer fairly soon......
Excuses for any child not being able to swim nowadays means their parents couldn't be bothered to take them at an early age and are now paying the price.
Tell him he's going, yes he'll get wet but he won't rust!
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07 September 2006, 01:04 PM
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There seems to be a consensus forming... and I'll go along with it.
Kids often try it on when they're apprehensive about something, all the more reason to send him. He'll thank you for it when he's older.
Kids often try it on when they're apprehensive about something, all the more reason to send him. He'll thank you for it when he's older.
07 September 2006, 01:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Spoon
Tell him he's going, yes he'll get wet but he won't rust!
We have been taking him swimming since he was two and a half and he has had lots of teachers...all who say they don`t know what to try next....so I feel stuck really.
He hates washing his hair and when he gets in the shower it`s a real struggle to get him to wash his face....I have to threaten to get in with him....but at eleven it`s not very appropiate is it!!!!
We have even tried pushing him in....as a last resort but NO...would he budge....like hell.....even the deep end....one teacher panicked and dived in as he could see he was struggling....just at my wits end now!!!!!
07 September 2006, 01:06 PM
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Joan,
i'm fairly sure its not compulsory. my son is at secondary school and there's been no mention of swimming. when he was at primary school we were sent a letter asking if he wanted to go swimming, which he did
whilst i don't think its right to make the lad go if he really doesn't want to, he may well pick it up if all his school mates are there to encourage him...
if you don't want him to go i'd suggest writing to the school...
i'm fairly sure its not compulsory. my son is at secondary school and there's been no mention of swimming. when he was at primary school we were sent a letter asking if he wanted to go swimming, which he did
whilst i don't think its right to make the lad go if he really doesn't want to, he may well pick it up if all his school mates are there to encourage him...
if you don't want him to go i'd suggest writing to the school...
07 September 2006, 01:07 PM
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I had swimming lessons for years. After the school stopped, my dad took me on a Saturday morning.
Complete waste of time. I can JUST about doggy paddle 10metres. ******* useless.
Complete waste of time. I can JUST about doggy paddle 10metres. ******* useless.
07 September 2006, 01:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Miss Kinky
Joan,
i'm fairly sure its not compulsory. my son is at secondary school and there's been no mention of swimming. when he was at primary school we were sent a letter asking if he wanted to go swimming, which he did
whilst i don't think its right to make the lad go if he really doesn't want to, he may well pick it up if all his school mates are there to encourage him...
if you don't want him to go i'd suggest writing to the school...
i'm fairly sure its not compulsory. my son is at secondary school and there's been no mention of swimming. when he was at primary school we were sent a letter asking if he wanted to go swimming, which he did
whilst i don't think its right to make the lad go if he really doesn't want to, he may well pick it up if all his school mates are there to encourage him...
if you don't want him to go i'd suggest writing to the school...
He did do swimming in primary school...years 4 and 5...but they gave up on him in the end...just like the other teachers....left him in the shallow end all lesson on his own....just standing there...
I know it is important to swim but he just doesn`t seem to be able to get to grips with it....
07 September 2006, 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by JoanUK300
He already has....he has ginger hair....LOL
We have been taking him swimming since he was two and a half and he has had lots of teachers...all who say they don`t know what to try next....so I feel stuck really.
He hates washing his hair and when he gets in the shower it`s a real struggle to get him to wash his face....I have to threaten to get in with him....but at eleven it`s not very appropiate is it!!!!
We have even tried pushing him in....as a last resort but NO...would he budge....like hell.....even the deep end....one teacher panicked and dived in as he could see he was struggling....just at my wits end now!!!!!
We have been taking him swimming since he was two and a half and he has had lots of teachers...all who say they don`t know what to try next....so I feel stuck really.
He hates washing his hair and when he gets in the shower it`s a real struggle to get him to wash his face....I have to threaten to get in with him....but at eleven it`s not very appropiate is it!!!!
We have even tried pushing him in....as a last resort but NO...would he budge....like hell.....even the deep end....one teacher panicked and dived in as he could see he was struggling....just at my wits end now!!!!!
11 years old and you can't budge him? May I suggest 2 flat hands in the small of his back and move then in the forward direction.
Seriously though, as said above, he will thank you later if you persist. If he doesn't go he'll be bullied.
07 September 2006, 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by lozgti
Like a man who can't drive
07 September 2006, 01:54 PM
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Thats a key point Spoon makes. He will be singled out by his peers and bullied if he doesnt go. Even if he makes a hash of the lessons at first, he'll fit in with his classmates more, which is important when ginger
In secondary school there wont be just him who is useless in the water...I'm sure they will be better prepared to deal with the unfloatables...
In secondary school there wont be just him who is useless in the water...I'm sure they will be better prepared to deal with the unfloatables...
07 September 2006, 01:59 PM
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It's psychological...
If he fears water or getting his face wet he needs help to understand and overcome his fears.
Sounds like all the "manly" approaches have been tried :roll "Throw him in, panic 'cos they think he's drowning, pull him out". :roll
Often, a bad early experience can lead to long term avoidance. The shower/bath bit sounds a bit worrying though. Reads like he's transferring bad swimming experiences to other activities involving water.
The problem needs talking about and treating far away from a swimming pool, at least initially. I don't know if you can get hypnotherapy for swimming...
J.
Sounds like all the "manly" approaches have been tried :roll "Throw him in, panic 'cos they think he's drowning, pull him out". :roll
Often, a bad early experience can lead to long term avoidance. The shower/bath bit sounds a bit worrying though. Reads like he's transferring bad swimming experiences to other activities involving water.
The problem needs talking about and treating far away from a swimming pool, at least initially. I don't know if you can get hypnotherapy for swimming...
J.
07 September 2006, 02:06 PM
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Here we go.......... only a matter of time before the feckin PC social workers arrived............... 
He's a nerdy ginger who needs to be told (or shown) how to feckin swim.... if you start hypnotherapy, accupunture, reflexology, shrinks etc... you are asking for trouble...... you'll end up with a ginger mentalist who can't do anything before a visit to the quacks to reassure him it's all OK.....
He's a nerdy ginger who needs to be told (or shown) how to feckin swim....
if you start hypnotherapy, accupunture, reflexology, shrinks etc... you are asking for trouble...... you'll end up with a ginger mentalist who can't do anything before a visit to the quacks to reassure him it's all OK.....
07 September 2006, 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by DCI Gene Hunt
He's a nerdy ginger who needs to be told (or shown) how to feckin swim....
.....anything constructive would be good as we have tried most things that most have already mentioned....
Thanks...
Joan
07 September 2006, 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Gingers Mum
.....anything constructive would be good
Originally Posted by Gingers Mum
He's not a nerdy ginger....he is good at loads of other things...mountain biking, go-karting, tennis, cricket and skateboarding.......
Originally Posted by Gingers Mum
he is quite sporty actually, compared to some others in our road
07 September 2006, 02:49 PM
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the problem sounds physcological to me. He has attached "danger" and "fear" to water in his mind. He has had 11 years of being programmed that way.
I think he needs to see a counselor. The part about not wanting to wash his face in the shower is a bit strange. Sounds like he suffers from aquaphobia/hydrophobia.
Google "Fear of water" and you might get some usefull info.
Also, he will be bullied badly there is no doubt about that. If that happens he will have the same reaction to school as he does to water.
I think he needs to see a counselor. The part about not wanting to wash his face in the shower is a bit strange. Sounds like he suffers from aquaphobia/hydrophobia.
Google "Fear of water" and you might get some usefull info.
Also, he will be bullied badly there is no doubt about that. If that happens he will have the same reaction to school as he does to water.
07 September 2006, 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by ScuuBdoo
the problem sounds physcological to me. He has attached "danger" and "fear" to water in his mind. He has had 11 years of being programmed that way.
I think he needs to see a counselor. The part about not wanting to wash his face in the shower is a bit strange. Sounds like he suffers from aquaphobia/hydrophobia.
Google "Fear of water" and you might get some usefull info.
Also, he will be bullied badly there is no doubt about that. If that happens he will have the same reaction to school as he does to water.
I think he needs to see a counselor. The part about not wanting to wash his face in the shower is a bit strange. Sounds like he suffers from aquaphobia/hydrophobia.
Google "Fear of water" and you might get some usefull info.
Also, he will be bullied badly there is no doubt about that. If that happens he will have the same reaction to school as he does to water.
The 'lad' can't swim......... that's all........ pander to his needs now and you will pay the price long term.........
07 September 2006, 02:55 PM
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Originally Posted by JoanUK300
DCI Gene Hunt...
yeah...they can but one of them can`t ride a bike!!!!!....and he`ll be 12 in October....
yeah...they can but one of them can`t ride a bike!!!!!....and he`ll be 12 in October....
but that's no excuse as the other 11 year old 'can't ride a bike' sounds like another complete muppet........
07 September 2006, 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by ScuuBdoo
Google "Fear of water" and you might get some usefull info.
