Sandwell programme boosts water confidence and leaves children “buzzing”

A Sandwell programme developed to support children and families living in areas of high deprivation by boosting physical activity levels, healthy eating habits, and building swimming confidence has produced some big improvements.

Designed by Sandwell School Games Organiser Hayley Probert and British Triathlon West Midlands Regional Manager Kirsty Outhwaite, the Sandwell Sports and Swim Club took a whole family approach, recognising that sustainable behaviour change happens when children, parents, and carers are engaged together. It was funded by Active Black Country as part of our new approach to the School Games programme for the 2025/26 academic year.

A total of 30 children from three Smethwick schools were targeted using National Child Measurement Programme and local swimming data. The project targeted primary school children living in communities experiencing the greatest health inequalities, ensuring resources were directed where they would have the greatest impact.

Sandwell’s School Games Organiser co-created the 12-week project with family liaison officers from each school, young people and their families, plus Sandwell Public Health and British Triathlon, which part-funded the programme. It was supported by Holly Gregory, Kore Sandwell and her team of centre staff and swimming teachers.

The project’s aims were to: improve swimming ability and water confidence; increase physical activity levels to create healthy habits and lifestyle changes; improve understanding of healthy eating and nutrition; encourage families to grow their own food as a sustainable, low-cost solution; and develop young leaders within schools to support long-term behaviour change.

What was delivered?

Sessions consisted of sports hall activities, designed to improve physical literacy, fundamental movement skills, confidence, and enjoyment of being active. This was followed by a one-hour swimming lesson, focused on developing water confidence, swimming competency, and water safety awareness.

All sessions were delivered by qualified coaches and swimming teachers from the Sandwell Aquatics Centre, ensuring participants received high-quality instruction and support throughout the programme.

The combination of physical activities and swimming provided children with varied opportunities to engage in exercise, develop new skills, and build confidence in a safe and inclusive setting.

Measuring the impact

Sandwell School Games Organiser Hayley Probert said participants demonstrated “significant progress in both their swimming ability and personal development”.

Swimming data showed good improvements in key areas such as stroke technique, distance covered, endurance, water confidence, and overall swimming proficiency. Many participants progressed to higher competency levels, with increased consistency in completing swimming tasks and achieving personal goals.

The programme also had a positive impact on participants' confidence and wellbeing. Regular attendance and structured coaching helped individuals become more comfortable and independent in the water, reducing anxiety and increasing their willingness to take on new challenges.

Positive feedback

Participants, their parents and school teachers praised what the project had achieved.

”I want to come here every day,” said one participant.

“My swimming has improved so much. I feel a lot more confident in the water now... I don't mind the water touching my face,” said another.

“The children are buzzing at school. I've had teachers come up to me and tell me how it sounds so good,” said one Family Support Worker, Crocketts Community Primary School.

“We've had some lovely feedback from our families who have seen great progress in their children's confidence,” said Zoe Weller from Shireland Hall Primary Academy.

Future sustainability

School Games Organiser Hayley shared regular progress updates on the project with physical activity leads and management at Sandwell Public Health and Sandwell Council.

This ongoing engagement and positive feedback helped secured additional funding, enabling the project to continue beyond July into the autumn with further funding from British Triathlon and additional delivery support from British Cycling through learn to ride sessions.

The Sandwell Choices programme also provided support to families around healthy eating and meal choices.

Hayley said the long-term vision is to expand the project into the northern areas of the borough, establishing delivery from West Bromwich Leisure Centre with the support of Kore Sandwell.

The Sandwell programme was one of four projects led by the School Games Organiser Network in the Black Country.

Under plans to evolve the approach to School Games delivery for the 2025-26 academic year, Active Black Country worked with SGO network leads in each borough, in partnership with the local authorities and Youth Sport Trust.

Through collaboration and consultation with key partners, the programme shifted from a ‘one size fits all’ model to an approach that ensures School Games outcomes are met whilst allowing each local authority area to address their own specific challenges.