School swimming is to receive a boost thanks to sponsorship from a local firm of chartered accountants.
Browne Craine & Co (Isle of Man), which is based in Peel Road, Douglas, is paying for a teacher, support officer or volunteer from every primary school to attend a four-day course that will lead to them attaining an ASA Level 1 Award in Teaching Aquatics.
The qualification will provide an introduction to the knowledge, skills and understanding of safe and ethical principles for teaching children to swim.
The newly qualified staff will be able to support more highly qualified swimming teachers in delivering swimming to Key Stage 2 pupils, who attend lessons in the autumn and spring terms.
Four courses will be run between this month and next March.
The initiative is among a number that will mark Browne Craine & Co's 60 years in business, having been established by forming partner Ron Browne in 1954.
As part of its celebrations, the company will also present swimming hats to all current Year 3 children, who are starting swimming lessons, and a reward badge to all children who achieve the Department of Education and Children's (DEC) required ability to swim 25 metres by the time they end Year 6.
Browne Craine & Co said: "The ability to swim is such an important life skill, especially for those living on an Island. Browne Craine is delighted to be supporting the DEC and Isle of Man Swimming Association to train more swimming teachers, with the aim of ensuring that all children on the Isle of Man will be able to at least swim to safety before they leave primary school."
David Anderson MHK, Member of the Department of Education and Children with responsibility for sport, said: "Browne Craine recognises that, as well an important route to fitness, swimming is an important life skill for all children but especially those living so close to the sea.
"The DEC ensures all Key Stage 2 children are taught to swim, with weekly sessions at the NSC or in one of the regional pools.
"Browne Craine's investment in primary school swimming will mean school staff and volunteers can provide greater support for swimming teachers during schools' sessions, benefiting pupils as they gain in confidence in the water."
 Pictured from left to right: Craig Mitchell, Basil Bielich and David Craine (all Browne Craine & Co.), David Anderson MHK (Isle of Man Minister for Sport), Heather Christian (Isle of Man Department of Education) and Angela Katz (Isle of Man Swimming Association).
