Under-estimating the dangers of water can have tragic consequences. You can’t always see the danger hidden below the surface. Water is unpredictable and even the strongest swimmers can get into trouble quickly.

Children and families are often drawn to open water particularly during the summer months, this includes places such as the sea, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, canals, rivers, and even paddling pools.

The key to staying safe is making the right choices to avoid getting into difficulty in the first place.

Here are some things you should be aware of:

Water can contain many unseen hazards which can lead to injury and put your life at risk

Open water is usually colder than that of your average swimming pool – this can affect your ability to swim and the temperature may cause your body to go into cold water shock which can lead to panic and even drowning

In cold water, even the strongest swimmers fatigue quickly as the body’s core temperature deteriorates four times faster

Some reservoirs can be up to 50 meters deep with sudden drop points that are impossible to see

There can be unpredictable undercurrents which even the strongest swimmers may struggle with

Water can look still but the undercurrents can pin a person to the riverbed

There may be submerged strainers e.g. a tree, a shopping trolley, or vehicles under the water that water can pass through but humans cannot

Water may have underwater equipment, particularly in reservoirs

There may be contamination from unclean / unsafe water which can lead to infections and diseases

Pride Awareness Month, celebrated every June, is a vital time for honouring the LGBTQ+ community, a recognition of history which advocates equality and inclusion.

Pride Month is a celebration of the rich diversity within the LGBTQ+ community.  It encourages people to embrace who they are without fear or shame, promoting self-acceptance and visibility.  It raises awareness about the challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face, including discrimination, mental health disparities, and legal inequalities.  Education during Pride helps dismantle stereotypes and fosters empathy and understanding.

Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall Riots of 1969, a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.  It honours the activists who fought and continue to fight for equal rights. Despite progress, LGBTQ+ individuals still face systemic discrimination in many parts of the world.

Pride Month is a platform for advocating for legal protections, healthcare access, and social acceptance.  Pride events create a sense of belonging and solidarity.  They offer safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people and allies to connect, support one another, and celebrate their shared humanity.  By highlighting LGBTQ+ role models and stories, Pride Month inspires younger generations to live authentically and work toward a more inclusive future.

During the month of June lessons across school will make links to LGBTQ+ achievement in the subject field.  To start the new summer term all students had an online virtual assembly from Just Like Us LGBTQ+ organisation, who specialise in raising LGBTQ+ education in schools across the UK, in line with the age appropriate PSHE statutory guidance framework 2020.  The opening Pride assembly was delivered by two transgender spokespeople who spoke about their experiences of growing up transgender.  They talked about the challenges this brought and how they overcame their challenges.  Students were inspired by this and further developed their inclusivity approach to diversity.