Swimming Coach Success

'Being unable to take the lifeguard qualification at Mary Hare because of a visual impairment' says Caitlin, 'I decided to get my qualification as a swimming coach so that I could teach

I started off doing the L1 course which was organised by the NDCS but then went on to do the L2'.Caitlin organised her L2 course herself which meant researching dates, organising support and making sure she could get some time off to attend

She was the only deaf person on her course but this did not deter her and in 2019 she successfully passed the course.Since then Caitlin has used all the opportunities Mary Hare has provided to build up her coaching experience

She has taught with Hydro Kids, a company that provides swimming lessons using the Mary Hare pool

She has also taught primary and secondary pupils to swim

'When I leave Mary Hare' said Caitlin, 'I want to work as a swimming instructor part time

I am teaching myself BSL so that I can use this if I work with deaf children in the future.'Caitlin has also gained a L3 Child Care qualification at Mary Hare so will be working as a nanny the rest of the time.'Without the support at Mary Hare all this would not have been possible

I know I would not have been able to do this if I had been in a mainstream school.'Ms Colby Head of PE at Mary Hare said, 'it is essential that pupils get the opportunity to study the academic side as well as playing the sport

This means we can cater for pupils who want to gain a qualification in order to work in this field after leaving us.'