Swimming at The Polygon School

As part of our Cross-Curricular PE, PSHE, and Personal Development programme, all students at The Polygon School have the opportunity to participate in swimming lessons.

At The Polygon School, we believe every young person should have the chance to learn to swim and develop vital water safety awareness skills.

We’re proud to have a strong partnership with a small, family-run pool in Shirley, where we hold weekly, hour-long sessions every Thursday. Each class enjoys at least one half-term block of swimming, focusing on building water confidence, improving swimming technique, and working towards ASA Swimming Awards.

As a school, we’re passionate about ensuring every pupil can access this essential life skill — therefore, swimming is fully funded by the school as part of our curriculum.

We hold an annual whole school gala to celebrate our progress!

Links to PSHE statutory curriculum 

Swimming plays a vital role in our PSHE curriculum and supports the outcomes of the 2026 PSHE Framework, including:

• Understanding the benefits of physical activity for mental wellbeing and happiness.

• Learning how to overcome anxiety and barriers to participation through coping strategies and confidence-building.

• Recognising the importance of personal hygiene.

• Understanding that physical activity promotes wellbeing and helps manage stress.

• Exploring the characteristics of a healthy lifestyle, including maintaining a healthy weight and understanding the risks of inactivity.

• Learning to identify and manage risk and stay safe around water, including following the Water Safety Code.

• Recognising and managing peer influence in relation to personal safety.

• Developing lifesaving skills, including how to administer CPR.