After weeks of controversy and debate, concerned parents are set to air their views on the controversial ruling which bans Fife swimming teachers from entering the water during lessons.
“I find it difficult to see any reason why classes that are so well taught and are so popular they are always oversubscribed should have to change.
“The children are used to having their teacher in the water and since they have been out of the pool many parents have noticed that their children are finding it more difficult to concentrate and are more likely, at least in the case of the older children, to act up.”
She fears future pupils will miss out if the changes are not overturned.
“My son started swimming with his teacher in the pool at three months. He is now three and extremely confident in the water,” Nora added.
“I believe this is in no small part due to the fact that he has a great teacher who was in the water with him and I fear that my daughter won’t now have the opportunity to make the same amazing progress.”
A spokeswoman for the Fife Sports and Leisure Trust confirmed details of next week’s meeting.
“Following an offer by the trust to meet with representatives of a local parents’ group, a meeting has been arranged in Cupar,” she said.
“The trust welcomes the opportunity to meet with parents and explain fully swimming guidelines as set out by the national governing body, Scottish Swimming.
“It is hoped that the meeting will allay any unnecessary concerns, particularly in light of recent media reports, and the reasons why the guidelines are widely adopted across Scotland as best practice and ensure the highest safety and teaching standards.”
The mother of one youngster who had to be pulled from the water after he got into difficulties is among those planning to attend a meeting to be held in Cupar next week.
There was a huge outcry when news of the ban broke last month (link), with one councillor branding it “drivel.” Parents said it was a case of “politically correct bureaucracy gone mad.”
The Fife Sports and Leisure Trust will host next week’s meeting following representations from concerned parents.
Trust representatives of the organisation insist the Fife-wide ban has been introduced “in the interests of safety.”
But a spokeswoman for the Cupar parents group said: “We welcome the fact that the trust has agreed to meet us and we really hope they will actually listen to our concerns and take them on board.
“While parents understand such organisations cannot consult on every single operational issue, this is a different case. The safety of our children is at stake and we have to place our trust in the swimming teachers.”
The group believes there are sound reasons for teachers to be in the water, both on safety and educational grounds.
The spokeswoman added: “We have always felt reassured by the fact that teachers were in the water with children and helping them.
“Having a teacher in the water aids their confidence, but since the ban was enforced a lot of parents have remarked that they feel their children are actually going backwards in their swimming progress.
“It is a lot to ask a little one to take instructions from someone standing tall on the poolside while they are down below in the water. We really feel that, given the experience teachers have, they should be allowed to interpret Scottish Swimming guidelines as they see fit.”
The group has welcomed the support of parents from St Andrews who also hope to attend the meeting.
Nora McElhone, whose two children take lessons at the East Sands Leisure Centre, said: “The dynamic of the class has changed completely, as tutors have moved from helping the kids on their own level in the water to towering above them and shouting instructions from the poolside.”
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