Swimming
Head of Swimming: Mrs Susan Cheshire
Swimmers at Bancroft’s benefit from the school’s 25 metre, four lane indoor swimming pool. Swimming is a “Sport for All” and swimming lessons are a key part of the PE Curriculum; many swimmers are grown through the School.
At Bancroft’s all pupils are taught swimming using the Total Immersion technique, which teach the pupils how to co-operate with the water rather than work against it. Breaking swimming down into simple steps, pupils engage both body and mind to swim with more ease, efficiency and speed. Mrs Cheshire is the first Total Immersion Coach in the country to implement this revolutionary method of teaching into a school PE programme.
“I had previous swimming training before I met Mrs Cheshire, but she completely revolutionised the way I swam. She is an incredibly observant teacher, who gives personalised advice to each swimmer. I feel much more comfortable in the water and swimming for me has become a relaxing, fluid, and enjoyable experience”
Charlotte, Lower Sixth
Fixtures take place after school with a fixture list for all age groups throughout the academic year. Block fixtures are played regularly against schools such as Forest School, Bishop’s Stortford College, Brentwood School, Coopers’ Coborn, Davenant and Wanstead High School.
Teams are entered into the Bath Cup (National Public School Relays) competing against 150 schools at the London Aquatic Centre. In 2014 and 2015 the girls’ teams made it through to the Finals.
Squad sessions take place three times a week; pupils who swim with their local clubs complement their Club sessions by attending a School training session, where our key focus is on creating speed through high efficiency swimming. Our state of the art gym also develops pupils as athletes, looking at strength and conditioning.
Swimming is a popular choice as a physical activity for pupils participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. It is also a games option for Seniors (years 11-13) who wish to improve their swimming.