Exmouth Community College (ECC) welcomed the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) into school this term to deliver a series of ‘Water Smart’ assemblies for students, helping them develop essential knowledge to stay safe around water.

The sessions form part of the college’s ongoing commitment to student safety and wellbeing, particularly given its close proximity to the coast and the increased independence young people develop as they get older.

Research shows that as young people grow in confidence and independence, their risk around water can increase. With Exmouth’s strong coastal location, the college places a high priority on ensuring students understand how to enjoy their environment safely and responsibly.

During the interactive presentations, students learned key water safety skills including how to “float to survive”, the meaning of different beach safety flags, and how to respond if caught in a rip current, a particularly important risk along the local coastline.

The sessions were designed to be practical, memorable and empowering, giving pupils the knowledge and confidence to make safer decisions when near water, whether at the beach or in other open water environments.

Exmouth Community College, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, extended its thanks to the RNLI team for their time, expertise and continued commitment to water safety education.

Tom Inman, Headteacher at Exmouth Community College, said: 

“We were delighted to welcome the RNLI into college to deliver these important Water Smart sessions. Living so close to the sea is a real privilege for our community, but it also comes with responsibilities.

“It is essential that our young people understand how to stay safe in and around water, and these sessions provided them with vital life skills that could make a real difference.

“We hope students will share what they have learned with their families and friends, helping to spread these important safety messages across our wider community.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust, said: 

“Ensuring our young people are safe, confident and well-prepared is at the heart of everything we do across the Ted Wragg Trust.

“These Water Smart sessions are a brilliant example of how schools can work with expert partners like the RNLI to deliver meaningful, practical learning that has a real impact beyond the classroom.”