ST Andrew's School in Tavistock has started a new initiative to give a number of children with low water confidence extra swimming sessions.

These sessions, using their own pool, which have taken place on a weekly basis for the past eight weeks, have boosted their water confidence and given the older children the opportunity to swim 25m —required by the national curriculum when they leave primary school. Justin Jones, deputy head teacher, said the school had highlighted a number of children with poor water confidence and felt that it needed addressing.

Esther Rookes, a teaching assistant at the school, and a qualified level one swimming teacher set up the extra sessions. She was assisted by her son Nathaniel, a qualified level two swimming teacher and coach, who coaches at Tavistock Swimming Club to lead the sessions.

The series of sessions have built the children's' self-confidence and now they readily do somersaults, backward rolls, swim through hoops under the water, as well learning stroke technique.

The feedback from the teachers, children and parents has been positive, with comments such as 'I can't believe the difference the sessions have made – it's brilliant.'

Other children are also asking when can they join in.