RNLI Lifeguards Visit Marhamchurch School to Teach Water Safety

Would your child know what to do if they got caught in a rip current? Pupils at one north Cornwall school now have a much better idea, thanks to a recent visit from the people who patrol our beaches.

Children at Marhamchurch C of E Academy, part of the Learning Academy Partnership, welcomed RNLI lifeguards into school for a session covering beach and water safety, with practical advice on spotting dangers and reacting in an emergency.

Real advice from the people on the sand

The lifeguards talked the children through how to recognise potential hazards at the beach, what the different coloured safety flags actually mean, and the steps to take if something goes wrong in the water. It is the kind of knowledge that matters in a county where the coast is never far away and where summer brings huge numbers of families to the sea.

Pupils listened, asked questions and took part in discussions throughout the visit. Staff said the children showed real maturity and engagement during the session.

“Sensible decisions when near water”

Deirdre Petersen, headteacher at Marhamchurch C of E Academy, said: “We are extremely grateful to the RNLI lifeguards for visiting our school and sharing such important safety messages with our pupils. The children were highly engaged throughout the session and asked some excellent questions. Experiences like this help to ensure our pupils understand how to stay safe and make sensible decisions when near water.”

Tracey Cleverly, Trust Lead at Learning Academy Partnership, added: “Partnerships like this with the RNLI are invaluable in helping children learn essential life skills. It is wonderful to see pupils developing their understanding of water safety in such a meaningful and memorable way. We are very grateful to the RNLI for the vital work they do in keeping our coastal communities safe.”

The school used the visit as a chance to thank the RNLI lifeguards for their work along the Cornish coast.