Drowning Prevention Week

Against the backdrop of growing national concern over water safety and a recent rise in drowning tragedies involving young people, The Beacon is proud to be supporting the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s (RLSS UK) annual Drowning Prevention Week campaign in partnership with Wildfish Swim School.

The campaign comes at a critical time as recent statistics reveal that drowning deaths among teenagers have increased by an alarming 67% between 2020–2022 and 2023–2025. Across the UK and Ireland, 3,615 people have tragically lost their lives to drowning over the past five years, with many incidents occurring during the warmer summer months.

With extensive media coverage highlighting the devastating impact of recent drowning incidents involving children and young people, The Beacon is using this week to reinforce a vital message: drowning is preventable.

For more than a decade, RLSS UK’s Drowning Prevention Week has equipped schools, parents, carers and communities with life-saving knowledge to help children stay safe in and around water. Whilst learning to swim is an essential life skill, experts stress that swimming ability alone is not enough.

Children also need to understand the Water Safety Code, including the importance of staying together, assessing risks before entering water, recognising potential hazards, and knowing what to do in an emergency.

As part of the school’s support for the campaign, Wildfish Swim School delivered a special water safety presentation to pupils in Years 3 to 8 in Assembly, focusing on practical steps children can take to stay safe around rivers, lakes, canals, beaches and swimming pools.

To help reinforce these messages beyond the classroom, pupils received water safety bookmarks highlighting key advice and reminders. The resources will also be distributed throughout the week during the swimming lessons that Wildfish Swim School delivers at The Beacon’s pool six days a week.

One parent, who’s child attends weekly swim sessions with Wildfish at The Beacon’s swimming pool commented,

“My son has progressed leaps and bounds with his confidence in water since attending weekly swimming lessons at The Beacon. The staff ensure each lesson is well structured, differing with techniques built on each week. I am chuffed that he is now close to swimming unaided, and he loves attending!”

The school hopes that by supporting Drowning Prevention Week alongside its regular swimming programme, pupils will develop the confidence and skills needed to stay safe in and around water – abilities that could  save a life.

Parents interested in learning more about swimming lessons with Wildfish Swim School can visit their website or contact the team directly at [email protected].