Empowering young people to make safer choices around water

The programme aims to create a network of Water Safety Champions in secondary schools across Cheshire, helping to develop a generation of young people who are informed, water-aware and equipped to make safer decisions around water.

With drowning remaining one of the leading causes of accidental death among children and young people, the programme provides schools with practical tools and knowledge to strengthen water safety education and support the wellbeing of their pupils.

Schools register for the free training here!

What is the Cheshire Water Safety Champions Programme?

The Cheshire Water Safety Champions Programme takes a fresh approach to water safety education.

Rather than delivering a one-off assembly focused solely on warning young people about dangers, the programme places education, understanding and informed decision-making at its heart. Through practical learning activities, discussion and real-life scenarios, pupils are encouraged to explore:

• Why water-related risks exist
• How personal choices can influence safety
• How to recognise potentially dangerous situations
• What actions they can take to stay safe around water

The programme has been designed to complement national education priorities and can support schools in meeting curriculum requirements, including the introduction of the Water Safety Code as a statutory element of Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) starting on 1^st September 2026.

Creating Water Safety Champions in every school

Schools are asked to nominate:

• One member of staff
• Two pupils

Together, they will form the school’s Water Safety Champions Team and attend a fully funded specialist training day. This incorporates a mix of open water, swimming pool and classroom sessions.

Following the training, champions will return to their schools to share their knowledge with peers, promote key safety messages and help embed water safety awareness across the wider school community.

By empowering both staff and pupils, the programme encourages a whole-school approach to water safety education that has a lasting impact beyond the classroom.

A peer-led approach

A key feature of the programme is its peer-led model.

Young people are not simply told what they should and should not do. Instead, they become active participants in the conversation, helping to raise awareness among their fellow pupils and influence attitudes towards water safety.

By giving students knowledge, responsibility and a voice, alongside the support of a trained staff member, the programme aims to create meaningful behavioural change and encourage safer choices long after the training day has taken place.

Why should my school get involved?

Water safety is everyone’s responsibility.

By joining the Cheshire Water Safety Champions network your school will:

• Access free specialist training
• Support delivery of RSHE curriculum requirements
• Empower students through leadership opportunities
• Increase water safety awareness across your school community
• Help prevent avoidable water-related incidents
• Become part of a county-wide network of schools committed to keeping young people safe

Register your school

Secondary schools across the county are encouraged to take advantage of this free opportunity and help grow the network of Water Safety Champions.

Schools register for the free training here!

Together, we can help ensure that every young person has the knowledge, confidence and awareness they need to stay safe around water.