PAWS Primary Aquatics Water Safety. PAWS It was brought into the IWS Syllabus in 2004 Aquatics is now part of the Primary School P.E. Curriculum.

PAWSPrimary Aquatics Water Safety

PAWS

• It was brought into the IWS Syllabus in 2004

• Aquatics is now part of the Primary School P.E. Curriculum

• Aquatics is different to other modules as it involves liaison with other qualified personnel.

• The teacher can be involved by working alongside a qualified swimming teacher / IWS Instructor

Aquatics P.E. Curriculum is divided into different strands:

• Hygiene• Water Safety• Water Entry and Exits• Buoyancy and Propulsion• Stroke Development• Water-based ball games• Understanding and appreciation of aquatics.

Aquatics and PAWS

• PAWS deals with each strand of Aquatics

• This means that PAWS covers all areas of Aquatics in the Curriculum – making it the one stop shop!

Hygiene

• Hygiene: this aspect is first dealt with in Land PAWS 1.

• It appears in many different PAWS levels and is examined orally in:– Land PAWS 1

– Land PAWS 2

– PAWS 1

– PAWS 2

– PAWS 3

Water Safety

• Water is a common theme within the PAWS awards.

• It begins in Land PAWS 1 and follows through until Land PAWS 8.

• Throughout the PAWS Awards Water Safety is examined; this is done both orally and practically

Water Entry and Exits

• Water Entry is first dealt with in Land PAWS where it features as a part of Water Safety

• From PAWS 1 pupils must demonstrate water entry and exits using a range of methods; e.g. PAWS 1 – using steps/ladder; PAWS 4 – sitting; PAWS 5 - jumping

Buoyancy and Propulsion

• Throughout the PAWS courses pupils learn to float (buoyancy)

• They also become familiar with buoyant objects and their purpose

• Propulsion itself is dealt with from PAWS 3, pupils using a kickboard and propelling themselves forward

• The pupils propulsion skills are developed throughout PAWS

Stroke Development

• From PAWS 4 pupils are encouraged to swim short distances.

• Their technique is developed and distance is increased as the courses progress

• Pupils also learn new strokes as they progress

Water-based Ball Games

• Water-based games feature from PAWS 1, these are important for the class to build up team skills and also for levels of fun; to ensure all pupils are enjoying PAWS

• Ball Games feature from PAWS 4

Understanding and Appreciation of Aquatics

• From the PAWS Awards pupils learn so much about aquatics and water safety

• They learn to enjoy and appreciate but respect the water

• This is a key message in reducing the number of drownings each year and why PAWS is essential to our Primary Schools

PAWS

• The aim of PAWS is to develop IWS ideals; “Every person a swimmer, every swimmer a lifesaver” into reality

• This will be done by incorporating PAWS into as many Primary Schools as possible.

PAWS

• PAWS introduces aquatics – water safety and swimming to children

• It is a progressive curriculum – it must be taken in order

• It is only available to Primary Schools

Structure of Paws

• There are two different types of PAWS:

1. Land PAWS

2. PAWS

LAND PAWS

• Land PAWS, based on Land, and focuses on water safety and land based skills

• Its aim is to familiarise pupils with Water Safety and develop their rescue skills on land.

• 3 Awards: Land PAWS 1, 2 and 3

• Primary Teachers, IWS Instructors and Examiners can all examine Land PAWS

PAWS

• PAWS aims to develop pupils’ knowledge and skills learned in Land PAWS

• It is primarily based in the water

• 7 Awards: PAWS 1 – 8

• IWS Instructors and Examiners can examine PAWS

Why PAWS?

• PAWS is an excellent opportunity for pupils.

• It is a great way to incorporate Aquatics into P.E. classes

• EVERY pupil receives a certificate when appropriate levels are reached

Who can teach PAWS?

• Swim Ireland and IWS Swim Teachers can teach PAWS (preferably they will have completed the assimilation course)

• IWS Instructors can teach PAWS

• Swimming Pools can run PAWS the same way as swimming lessons

Who can examine PAWS

• IWS Instructors and IWS Examiners can both examine PAWS

Why we need teachers?

• PAWS can only be covered when a Primary Teacher (or trainee) is present

• Only Primary Teachers (or trainees) can become Aquatics Organisers/Assistants

• PAWS certificates are only available to Primary Teachers

How are certificates obtained?

• Teacher fills out exam returns sheet and forwards to head office

• Certs sent out to school

• Teacher fills out certs (details)

• HQ collects data - statistics

Aquatics Organisers/Assistants

• Only Primary Teachers can qualify as aquatics organisers/assistants

• Programmes are taught during the Primary Teachers’ In-Service courses during July and August

• They are also taught in many Teacher Training Colleges

Swimming Pools

• Swimming Pools are another important element of PAWS – they are essential

• Each facility needs a fully qualified IWS Instuctor or Swim Ireland Swim Teacher

• A short meeting/course with the staff would be of benefit – to answer any questions they have and to upskill them to be able to instruct the PAWS Awards

What happens after PAWS?

• There is a follow on course from PAWS, it is based in Secondary Schools

• This secondary programme is called JAWS – Junior Aquatic Water Safety

• There are 2 awards: JAWS 1 and 2

What we want to develop…

• To get more Schools involved in PAWS

• To get more Swimming Pools involved in PAWS

• To qualify more teachers as Aquatics Organisers and Assistants

• Ultimately to get children involved in IWS from a young age

How we hope to develop this

• To create a teacher pack with resources to ease teachers’ workload

• To provide teachers with the knowledge enabling them to take a more active part in PAWS

• Develop online resources for both teachers, pupils and parents to encourage and develop an interest in Water Safety

• To create a pack for pools with details about PAWS and info to give schools

• To ensure Pools and their staff are eager to participate and qualified to do so.