Welcome to Sholfins Swim School
Join the fun and learn to swim with our qualified instructors. Swimming lessons from reception upwards, based at Woodrow First School, Redditch.
About Sholfins
Sholfins Swim School CIC is a not-for-profit company born from a passion and love for swimming. We are extremely passionate about our community. Our aim is to try and remove as many barriers as possible, preventing our community of Redditch from learning to swim.
The team at Sholfins recognise that due to the pandemic there has been a huge impact on children having access to water in their early years. A number of primary/middle schools have also been unable to provide this life skill to their pupils prior to the pandemic for several different reasons, therefore, falling short of the national curriculum requirements, through no fault of their own.
Swimming and water safety has been a statutory element of the national curriculum for physical education in England since 1994. This means that every 11-year-old child should leave primary/middle school with the skills to keep themselves safe.
Swimming lessons provide all children with vital skills to help with survival and this is no different for children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND). By 2025, over 780,000 children with SEND will be in the education system. However, inequalities in the ability of schools and teachers to offer high quality opportunities for them to participate in PE, School Sport or Physical Activity still exist, with disabled young people twice as likely to be physically inactive as non-disabled people.
The focus on the new revised Ofsted inspection framework is also an area of consideration for schools to bare in mind.
At Sholfins we believe everyone should have the opportunity to learn to swim. All of our instructors are Level 2, Swim England qualified and have RLSS Lifeguard, First Aid and Safeguarding Qualifications. The team are passionate about teaching and ensure that each child is given the support and encouragement to become water confident no matter what age. We are registered with Swim England and follow the learn to swim programme and the School Swimming and Water Safety charter.
School Swimming
We provide 10 weekly, half hour sessions, for 15 children with two fully qualified instructors in the water, a ratio of 7/8:1. We teach all year groups from reception upwards. The aim is to provide every child the opportunity to learn, at the earliest opportunity, such an important life skill at the highest level of instruction whilst providing a better quality of lesson for all pupils enabling them to meet the national curriculum standard of each pupil being able to –
- Swim Competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres
- Use a range of strokes effectively, for example, front crawl, backstroke and breastroke
- Perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations
For more on Swimming and Water Safety in Schools | Swim England click here.
Lessons will be run in 10-week blocks over the academic year. It would be the decision of the school as to which year group you wish to send in each block. All schools are asked to seriously consider sending their children as early as possible. As swimming is also considered to be part of Physical Education, schools can justifiably engage their children in a 10 week block of swimming in place of a Physical Education lesson. Our lessons incorporate fun and engaging activities whilst teaching water safety and encouraging confidence in the water.
We also provide visits to schools to provide lessons in Water Safety and the dangers of water. The lesson includes fun games and activities for children to participate in, together with discussions on how to stay safe. If your school would like more information please contact us.
Community Sessions
Our 30 minute sessions are delivered to groups of seven to eight children with an instructor in the water to maximise progression. We do have a class dedicated to older children from the age of 8 to 13 years. All lessons follow the Swim England Learn to Swim programme, please see the link below.
Due to the limitations of the pool we use, we will recommend that your child join a larger swim school at a 25m pool in order to continue progression once we feel they have reached the ability to do so.
Learn to Swim Stage 1-7 Awards | Swim England Learn to Swim (swimming.org)
Training Opportunities
At Sholfins we are always looking for individuals interested in a career in teaching. If you are 16 years or over and are interested in a career as a Swimming Teacher then please get in touch.
For more information on our First Aid, AED and CPR Training, click here.
We also provide First Aid courses at all levels.
Meet the Sholfins Team
Check out the team behind Sholfins Swim School CIC
Rach
Director/Owner Sholfins Swim School CIC
Experience
I learnt to swim at the age of 4 years old and continued to compete at club level to the age of 16 where I gained Club Captain status. I qualified as a Lifeguard at the age of 20 and subsequently trained to be a fully qualified swimming instructor in 1999. I have over 20+ years’ experience in teaching children and adults at all levels from beginners to advanced.
Teaching swimming has always been my passion. It is such an important life skill to learn. I believe that everyone should be given the opportunity to learn to swim.
CPD Qualifications
Deaf Awareness and British Sign Language in Aquatics, Fun Approach to Learn to Swim, Integrating swimmers with a Physical/Sensory impairment in to mainstream swimming.
Alternative qualifications:
Level 2 Swimming Instructor.
RLSS Pool Lifeguard.
Designated Safeguard Lead.
Safeguarding in Sport.
HND Sports Science.
First Aid at Work Level 3.
Interests & Hobbies
I love everything to do with swimming & sports, snowboarding, reading & camping.
Julie
Manager & Level 2 Swimming Instructor
Experience
CPD Qualifications
Teaching Pre-school children.
PWTAG Approved Pool Plant Operators Qualification.
Interests & Hobbies
Live Music, Cycling & Holidays in our static caravan.
Rachel
Level 2 Swimming Instructor
Experience
I have been teaching swimming for 30 years as a whole. I became a volunteer helper at the age of 13 at both Studley and Hewell Road Swimming pools. I served in the army as a Combat Medic for 5 year after which I qualified as a level 2 Instructor in 2002 at Kingsley Swimming Pool. I have worked with all ages and ability levels including adults and those with additional needs.
I love seeing swimmers progress, especially those who have never been in water before. The look on their faces when they realise they are actually swimming for the first time will always be priceless
CPD Qualifications
Safeguarding, Fun approach to learn to swim.
Interests & Hobbies
Running and wild camping.
Becky
Level 2 Swimming Instructor/RLSS Pool Lifeguard
Experience
I became a level 1 Swimming Instructor in 2015 after working with children for 10+ years as a trampoline coach. I started voluntary work from the age of 16 and found working with children extremely rewarding and developed a real passion for wanting to teach. I qualified as a Lifeguard and found myself quite frustrated and intrigued watching people swim with bad technique. It was at this point I decided to pursue a career in teaching.
Upon gaining my level 2 qualification I have felt proud of watching the children I have taught, grow and progress through the years. I find my job so rewarding and absolutely love it.
CPD Qualifications
Safeguarding.
Alternative qualifications:
Level 2 Trampolining Coach.
Level 3 Personal Trainer.
Paddlesport Leader/Instructor.
Interests & Hobbies
Swimming, Kayaking, Walking my dogs & socialising with friends
Lesley
Level 2 Swimming Instructor
Experience
After completing my Level 1 Assistant Swimming Instructor qualification last year, I approached Sholfins who kindly allowed me to teach voluntarily, alongside them to gain experience and knowledge. I have since gained my Level 2 qualification with Sholfins and teach as part of their team.
I enjoy watching the children’s confidence grow and seeing their faces when they have achieved a new skill. This is as exciting for me as it is for them.
CPD Qualifications
Safeguarding.
Interests & Hobbies
I enjoy walking and visiting new places.
Milly
Level 1 Teaching Assistant
Experience
…
CPD Qualifications
…
Interests & Hobbies
…
Jasmine
Level 1 Teaching Assistant
Experience
…
CPD Qualifications
Safeguarding.
Interests & Hobbies
…
LISA
LEVEL 1 Swimming Assistant
Experience
Qualifications
CPD
Swimming Lesson Helper
Safeguarding
LOUISE
LEVEL 2 Swimming Instructor
Experience
I became a triathlon coach in 2015 because I loved being able to help others enjoy the sport which I had discovered a few years previous. Regularly people would ask if they could join, even if they weren’t good swimmers and myself, being an adult who learnt to swim in their early 30’s, I always migrated to those who needed that extra bit of support. If I could turn back time I would have loved to swim as a child and that’s why I believe it’s so important that all children are given the opportunity and encouragement to learn.
It’s so rewarding when you see their confidence grow and I regularly have a tear in my eye!
Qualifications
Level 2 British Triathlon Coach
Level 3 Personal Trainer and Exercise Referral Specialist
Level 4 Exercise Practitioner for Low Back Care
Hobbies
Swimming, cycling, running, yoga/pilates and knitting!
Cathy
Independent Welfare Officer
Bio
SKIPPER
Team Mascot
About Skipper
Success Stories
Don't just take our word for it, see what others are saying about Sholfins.
Testimonials
In addition to the above success stories we have also received praise from the schools we are working with.
I am delighted to be able to provide the following testimony for Sholfins Swim School. As a school we have a duty of care to provide opportunities for our children which, they may not otherwise be able to access. Increasingly, the number of our children not being able to access swimming lessons outside of school has become increasingly a concern for us, as we believe this life skill is essential for all our children. The intake at Tenacres (IDACI DATA) is 44% of our children live in the 'most deprived' households compared to 20% Nationally.
Headteacher
Tenacres First School RedditchOur school has not been able to go swimming for a number of years, due to all local pools being full and not able to accommodate us. This has been something that has disappointed both our school staff, the governing body and our parent body. After receiving the details of a possible opportunity through Sholfins Swim School we were very excited. Not only would we be able to fulfill the elements of the National Curriculum but we would be able to give our children the important life skills of being able to swim.
Scott Smith, Headteacher
Fairfield First SchoolMany of the children were unable to swim at the start of their lessons, and it's fair to say were a little scared! However, through the encouragement of the Sholfins team, we are very pleased, and very proud, to say that 95% of the children earned their 25m swimming award, as required by the National Curriculum for KS2. Alongside this, the children were taught valuable lessons in water safety and what to do in the event of an emergency near water. We could not be prouder of them all. Well done.
Deputy Head and Year 4 teacher Tenacres
Mrs WaltersWe are beyond proud of all the children’s achievements. Seeing their confidence develop alongside their swimming was such a pleasure to see. We started with very few of the 60 children swimming and we have finished with 48/60 achieving their 25m and over distance badges. 93% of the whole year group achieved some distance badge! Incredible. To think they have another 10 week block of lessons next year with Sholfins, we feel that all children would have reached their 25m distance badge which children need to achieve by the end of KS2 (Year 6) before they finish at Tenacres in Year 4.
Year 3 teachers Tenacres
Mrs Kelly and Miss ParkinsonThis year the pupils of Arrow Valley enjoyed swimming lessons for the first time since opening. Each week a group of pupils hop onto a minibus and visit Woodrow First School which has the perfect pool for our learners. It is like a classroom with a pool! Many of our pupils haven’t experienced swimming lessons and were tremendously brave in taking the first steps into the water, some were even shaking with nerves. The instructors who are RLSS trained lifeguards and First Aid Qualified are in the pool with the children to maximise progression no matter the level. It wasn’t long though before the Sholfin team had them running, splashing and now swimming across the pool. For those pupils who were already strong swimmers the sessions gave them the opportunity to improve their strokes and breathing technique. More significantly all pupils learnt about water safety, learning to identify different swimming flags and what to do if you ever fell into the water. ‘I honestly do not believe the pupils will have achieved what they have in such a short time without the support of Rach, Julie and Lisa and the resilience of the Arrow Valley Pupils who are so determined to succeed.
Headteacher – Arrow Valley First School
Mrs AllenReady to find out more?
Get in touch with us today to find out about our swimming lessons and training opportunities.
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