The Bedell Group Swimming Academy is proud to announce that over 1,000 Jersey reception age children have completed its young swimmers programme and are enjoying their new-found skills.

The three-year sponsorship initiative between Bedell Group, Le Mourier Swim School and the Bosdet Foundation at Les Ormes is providing Jersey reception age children with free swimming lessons. And the free minibus service provided by Le Mourier has enabled children to benefit in schools without their own transport. The Academy has been a resounding success, with all courses fully booked for the summer intake.

Malcolm Parris, Le Mourier director and teacher of the scheme is full of enthusiasm for the way the initiative has been received by Islanders. "We're overjoyed at the response we've had, not just from the children who have completed the 10-week course, but also their parents and teachers. We've had so many fantastic letters thanking us for the programme. An it's not just about confidence in the water. It's also about little things like children learning to get changed independently without their parents to help. I can't wait to see all the new swimmers using their skills now that summer is almost upon us!"

Sprinfield School is one of the those to have benefitted from the scheme already. Deputy heas, Sam Cooper said " Springfield School offer an intergrated curriculum in their Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. Through activities such as the Reception Class swimming initiative, supported by Bedell Group and Le Mourier Swim School, we are to reinforce the idea that learning opportunities don't happen in isolation. The skills and confidence that children develop through their swimming lessons have an impact in other areas of school life. The anxieties that children might have about water are overcome very quickly and this confidence is transferred to the classroon and oterh learning opportunities.

Richard Gerwat, managing partner of Bedell Group said " This is an important initiative for Jersey, which is directly benefitting many families already. It's part of Bedell Group's ongoing desire to make a difference in the local community and particularly to help local people. Living on an Island means it's essential that every child should be able to swim - not only for safety reasons, but for exercise and enjoyment too."

Application forms will be available soon for schools wishing to sign up for the next intake of the Bedell Group Swimming Academy, which commences in September. For further information, please contact Malcolm Parris, Le Mourier Swim School at malcolm@swimjersey.com