PAWS

1. PAWS Primary Aquatics Water Safety

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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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!

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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

15. Structure of Paws • There are two different types of PAWS: • Land PAWS • PAWS

16. 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

17. 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

18. Why PAWS? • PAWS is an excellent opportunity for pupils. • It is a great way to incorporate Aquatics into P.E. classes • EVERYpupil receives a certificate when appropriate levels are reached

19. 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

20. Who can examine PAWS • IWS Instructors and IWS Examiners can both examine PAWS

21. 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 onlyavailable to Primary Teachers

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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.