Water Safety Charity named ‘Educational Resource Provider of the Year’ for its Water Smart Schools initiative

23/08/2024

RLSS UK has been recognised as ‘Educational Resource Provider of the Year’ for its free accreditation programme, Water Smart Schools, at the Education Awards 2024. 

The Education Awards celebrates and rewards the most outstanding contributors to education regionally. 
 
The free national Water Smart Schools Award programme provides a framework for schools to take a whole school approach to water safety, helping them impart this essential knowledge and skills to their pupils to an excellent standard. RLSS UK believes that water safety knowledge is best achieved through sustained learning of skills, that involve pupils in the design to affect good decision-making and behaviours.  
 
In 2022, there was a 46% increase in the number of accidental fatalities amongst children, compared to the 5-year average. 35 accidental child fatalities were reported – the equivalent of a classroom of children1. Research from RLSS UK also showed that only 1 in 6 adults are familiar with the Water Safety Code and its aims, and only 2% of UK adults can actually recall it.   
 
This research provided the evidence that education was needed and so based on these concerning findings, in September 2023, RLSS UK launched a free accreditation education programme for primary and secondary schools, to help them achieve water safety skills for life.  
 
RLSS UK’s Water Smart Schools Award programme seeks to help children enjoy water safely and to target groups that may not otherwise have access to free education resources – as well as enriching their opportunities to get involved in water-related activities.  
 
Commenting on the win, Education Manager at RLSS UK, Andy Lane, said: “We’re over the moon and are especially excited that we've been recognised for our dedication, commitment and time that has been invested into our Water Smart Schools programme, which we successfully launched in September 2023 and have had over 200 schools sign up since.  
 
“We believe that every child should have access to water safety skills – and with our Water Smart Schools initiative, we are one step closer to achieving this!”  
 
 
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