Swimming and/or Pool time is often our pupils very favourite activity and is greatly valued by all of the community for regulation, skill development and fun! Water safety and confidence are also incredibly important for our pupils to develop and where they can, pupils also go on to develop real swimming ability giving them the opportunity to excel in a sport, thereby increasing their self-esteem and fitness.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To promote equality as an integral part of the role and to treat everyone with fairness and dignity.

To recognise health and safety is a responsibility of every employee, to take reasonable care of self and others and to comply with the Schools Health and Safety policy and any school-specific procedures / rules that apply to this role.

To promote the welfare of children and to support the school in safeguarding children though relevant policies and procedures.

Communication

• Regular meetings with the Head of PE
• Liaising with Heads of Key Stages and Class Teachers when organising swimming events or planning specific teaching plans for individuals
• Provide advice and support for users of the pool, Family Liaison Officers and parents
• Liaise with Class Teachers to ensure correct staffing ratios
• Liaise with other supporting staff to ensure effective assistance during sessions
• Liaise with Physios, OTs, MOVE Co-Ordinator and other professionals when planning for individual or group sessions
• Liaise with the caretaking team to ensure facilities are well stocked in cleaning or washroom supplies
• Liaise with Premise Manager any maintenance issues which can not be solved by Swim Coach or Caretaking team
• To foster links with outside swimming clubs suitable for our students e.g. Panathlon charity and School Games
• To foster links with swimming / PE departments across the Special Schools group
• To foster links with outside swim organisations for galas, competition opportunities and awareness weeks

Leading Groups of Pupils

• Work directly with groups of pupils to plan and deliver sessions appropriate to their learning ability
• Work directly with the MOVE Co-Ordinator to plan and deliver tailored water based sessions to individuals to improve their strength, mobility and confidence which in turn will assist in their specific MOVE targets on land
• 1:1 work with specific individuals to focus on improving and enhancing their time in the water
• Adapt teaching methods for pupils who either do not understand or are unwilling to engage.
• Liaise with Class Teachers to broaden pupil specific knowledge to aid in the teaching of the session – eg does a pupil like the colour blue? / use blue floats? / like boats? / use a boat as motivation?
• Teach groups with a total communication approach to ensure pupils can access the instructions via visual prompts eg posters or sign-a-long, aurally and guided movement
• Support trips and activity days inside and potentially, outside of school hours

Poolside equipment and resources

• Source and purchase through the appropriate budget RLSS approved Lifesaving equipment and emergency aids
• Source and purchase any resources that will help aid learning and engage pupils in lessons.
• Ensure rescue equipment is in working order
• Maintain and restock first aid kit
• Monitor and reorder pool chemical testing tablets
• Source and purchase through the appropriate budget varied and interesting ranges of lesson equipment
• Ensure equipment is appropriate for its use and enhances the learning process of the pupils
• Maintain and monitor perishable equipment, reorder when required. Remove any equipment no longer safe for use in the water
• Ensure the safe storage of all equipment to prevent loss and to keep poolside area clear and safe
• Monitor use of equipment in both pool and changing areas to ensure pupils are safe and reduce damage to equipment. This includes ensuring the safe use of the overhead hoists as per our manual handling policy, the safe and hygienic use of the changing beds and any other equipment designed to assist our pupils. Report any safety issues to Premises Manager
• Prepare creative and interesting water based displays in the changing areas
• Produce, update and display appropriate health and safety signage for poolside and changing areas
• Create swimming and water safety based worksheets to enhance the learning experience for pupils
• Produce a range of communication aids to assist the pupils in the pool eg Communicate in Print, photos
• Produce up to date guides on water safety and water awareness
• Create and produce certificates for swimming galas and sports days
• Source and produce music CDs for enhancing swim sessions, either for relaxation, encouragement / motivation or to compliment swim actions

Specific Tasks

• Working directly with Head of PE to promote the benefits of health and exercise for our pupils
• Create, develop and deliver a swim scheme relevant and appropriate to the pupils’ abilities. Research and adapt methods to cover confidence building, stroke and skills development and water safety / lifesaving skills.  Scheme should show progression through each level with achievable targets for the pupils taking part
• To plan and deliver quality and appropriate swim sessions for our pupils. This includes sessions for confidence, sensory, hydro, exercise, safety and learn to swim using the personalised swim scheme
• Assess current levels of specific pupils using the swim scheme to be able to deliver the appropriate level of learning to progress their abilities
• To plan fun activities to be delivered across the year within these sessions which include stroke and skills development, games, songs, water safety and water awareness
• Introduce pupils to a wider range of water based activities for example diving, water polo, aqua circuits
• To include cross curricular activities within the session for example, counting, colours, sinking, floating
• To include term specific topics where appropriate within a session
• To identify and actively encourage pupils who are unhappy or unwilling to integrate into the activity. Advise staff members in the pool on how to support that pupil and the best course of action to take to ensure inclusion for all
• To use a therapeutic approach to encourage pupils to use the pool ensuring pupils receive positive experiences and not negative ones.
• Identify, encourage and support pupils who have a talent for swimming. Promote their abilities through inclusion of school swimming teams, both in internal competitions and external ones.  Contact and refer to outside swim clubs where appropriate
• Adapt and be flexible in teaching methods with pupils who are struggling to understand or unwilling to take part
• Log all pupils progress and produce swimming reports for Class Teachers at the end of the school year
• Maintain all current relevant teaching qualifications and research any new appropriate CPLs to broaden pupil engagement within pool based health related activities
• Keep up to date with both Government and West Berkshire’s Swimming and Curriculum Policy
• Lifeguard both staff and pupils in the pool and monitor activities taking place. Act immediately at the first signs of any action that could lead to a potential incident including bullying
• Educate pool users to prevent dangerous behaviour and to produce and ensure pool rules are followed at all times
• Perform pool rescues or first aid to any swimmer who may require it
• Be extra vigilant regarding all aspects of child abuse. Any unusual or out of the ordinary marks, bruises or injuries must be reported to the Class Teacher for body mapping. Any other concerns for a pupils’ welfare to be reported in line with the School’s safeguarding policy
• Produce and maintain swimming pool risk assessments
• Produce and maintain Pool Safety Operating Procedures (PSOP) required by law for all pools including the Normal Operating Procedures and the Emergency Action Plan
• Produce and maintain the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for areas within the pool and changing rooms
• Obtain and maintain the chemical data sheets for all chemicals used within the pool and changing environment to ensure compliance with COSHH
• Maintain current CIMSPA National Pool Plant Operator qualification to enable the pool to operate effectively and safely
• Ensure compliance with the law by following the advice and guidance in the HSE Health & Safety in Swimming Pools document
• Carry out daily pool water tests to ensure water is safe for users to swim in. Contact the appropriate person if levels are not correct. Ensure high levels of hygiene are maintained by pool users to reduce chemical usage for more effective dosing, for example showering before use, appropriate swimwear for toileting and preventing unwell users from using the pool
• In the event of any toileting accidents, clean the affected areas with a suitable disinfectant clean the pool of remains and ensure correct chemical dosage for the appropriate level of time. Using PPO knowledge, restrict use of pool where appropriate
• Carry out pool plant room checks using the knowledge from the PPO qualification. Ensure plant room is running effectively and safely.  Check levels of chemicals are adequate for effective pool treatment (if empty request new bottles from the caretaking team), check for any problems with the dosing unit or the control panel and check the pressure of the pool filters
• Liaise and work with the PPO qualified member of the caretaking team to solve any plant room issues. Inform Premises Manager of any problems which cannot be solved in house in order for a contractor to be called
• Ensure correct recording of the pool water tests and plant room check results and that records are kept for a period of 5 years
• Maintain the health and safety levels around poolside by regularly cleaning and ensuring walkways are clear by correct storage of equipment. Termly deep cleaning of the changing areas and showers with a cleaning product suitable for swimming pool changing rooms.  Regular lime scale removal of poolside windows with a suitable cleaning product

Other

• To be included in the duty rota for lunch or break time supervision when the pool timetable allows
• To be involved in other sports coaching sessions when possible and to participate in class based activities or support if the timetable allows. Work as part of the wider staff team, with the children’s enjoyment as the main focus
• Support and assist the full range of pupils within the changing environment, if required
• Attend 1 Parents Progress evening per academic year in order to discuss pupils’ swimming with parents / carers
• Any other duties as directed by SLT that are commensurate with the responsibilities of the role. This might include assisting children with personal cleanliness, dressing and undressing as appropriate

Qualifications & Experience

• Candidates must have a full STA Level 2 Swimming Teachers Certificate or ASA Level 2 Certificate for Teaching Swimming - essential
• RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Qualification - essential
• CIMSPA National Pool Plant Operator Qualification - desirable
• Experience of working with SEN children aged 4 – 19 years - essential
• Experience of workin - desirableg with a pool plant room - desirable
• First Aid
• Use of Makaton / Sign-a-long - desirable
• Experience of managing staff - desirable

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the Swimming schemes within a school curriculum - essential
• Understanding of accredited courses - essential
• Knowledge of a range of teaching methods to best engage the different pupils - essential
• Be able to lifeguard the sessions appropriately - essential
• Understand how the plant room works for the pool - desirable

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to use and teach with the swimming equipment - essential
• Ability to use the mobility aids at the pool - essential
• Ability to effectively lifeguard the pool and perform rescues - essential
• Ability to assess, record and report achievement - essential
• Ability to be creative thinker - essential
• Good communicator - essential
• Ability to encourage pupils and put them at ease - essential

Work-related Personal Qualities

• Self Motivated - essential
• Creative - essential
• Flexible able to adapt to different subjects - essential
• Shows initiative - essential
• Ability to problem solve - essential
• Excellent time management and prompt time keeper - essential
• Fun character willing to be active and engaged with pupils - essential
• Fit and healthy - essential

Other Work-related Requirements

• Willing to undertake any statutory training the job requires - essential
• Willing to attend out of school hours events - essential
• Suitability to work with Children - essential
• DBS Clearance - essential
• This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, and therefore the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English will be required. Conversing at ease with members of the public (including pupils), providing advice and using any specialist terminology appropriate to the role is essential to the post. - essential

This School is committed to safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a criminal records self-disclosure form and successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.