Our thanks to Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service for coming to school and giving a water safety talk ahead of the summer holidays.

Living in an area with easily accessible rivers and lakes, we wanted to make sure our students were well equipped to enjoy the summer safely.

During the session, pupils learned about the hidden dangers that can be found in open water, including strong currents, deep water, sudden drops, cold water shock, and slippery banks. They explained why rivers and lakes can be far more dangerous than they appear and discussed the importance of staying away from the water's edge when unsupervised.
The talk included:
- Understanding the risks of rivers, lakes and reservoirs
- Why you should never enter the water to rescue someone
- How and when to call 999 in an emergency
- Staying safe when spending time near open water
- The "Float to Live" technique and what to do if you accidentally fall into the water