Erskine Waterfront Campus celebrates water education award

Erskine Waterfront Campus is celebrating a major milestone after being awarded the Smart Schools Gold Award for excellence in water safety education — the first time the school has achieved this top‑tier accreditation.

The award recognises the school’s sustained commitment to equipping children and young people with essential life‑saving skills, particularly vital given the school’s proximity to a fast‑moving and hazardous stretch of river near the estuary.

The school’s journey to gold was helped by its investment in outdoor learning and water‑based activities such as swimming, kayaking, and sailing.

School staff member Jenny said: "We have a big river outside our school, and it’s a pretty dangerous part of the river.

“Kids can fall in accidentally. It’s not always someone doing something silly. They need to know how to keep themselves safe.”

Scotland continues to have one of the highest drowning rates in the UK, making water safety education a national priority.

The award also recognises the school’s commitment to involving families, local partners, and younger children in the community. Pupils have even begun teaching water safety to nearby nursery groups.

Jenny added: “It’s a real team effort. We want people to have fun in the water, but safely.”