Success in securing funded swimming for the community

Alongside academic subjects, our students can benefit from taking additional qualifications such as the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). The EPQ involves students completing a research project on a topic of their choice and often lead to fantastic final reports.

For Libby Hickman, second year student, it has resulted in more than just a qualification.

This year, Libby chose to focus her EPQ on the benefits of swimming lessons and the importance of their accessibility. In her part-time employment, Libby works for the sports company Everyone Active and used her EPQ as an opportunity to encourage the company to make more opportunities available for accessible lessons for disadvantaged and disabled children.

We are delighted to share the news that as a result Libby will be supported by both Everyone Active and the charity Level Water to deliver specialist free of charge one-to-one swimming lessons for children aged 4-11 with physical disabilities, sensory, visual, and hearing impairments.

Libby’s aim of supporting those who are disadvantaged has gone a step further and she will be leading holiday activity camps which involve fun swimming sessions, climbing wall sessions, arts and crafts sessions, and multi-sports sessions which will all be provided free of charge for children in the local area who are disadvantaged.

Libby said: “I am delighted that with the support of Everyone Active and Level Water I will be able to deliver such amazing opportunities for those who are disadvantaged, and I hope that those who attend will enjoy the swimming lessons and holiday club activities. I am grateful for the support of Jane Jenkins, my EPQ tutor, and Eleanor Clayton, my Head of Year, who encourage me to reach my full potential and achieve my high ambitions. Alongside my A-level studies, college has provided me with fantastic opportunities to further my interests such as the EPQ, Law Professional Programme and Counselling Skills enrichments. After college I intend to study Scots and English Law at Aberdeen University.”

Jane Jenkins, Vice Principal and Libby’s EPQ Tutor, said: “I am proud that Libby has been able to engage key stakeholders and the outcome is one that will benefit children in the local community.”