A Hartlepool primary school has landed a major national award for its commitment to promoting water safety and protecting lives.

West View Primary School has received the Gold Water Smart Schools award from Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK).

On average, every year 33 children in England drown which is the equivalent of a classroom of children lost.

Lauren Furness, Headteacher at West View Primary School, said: “This is a really important piece of work, given the school’s close proximity to the beach and open water.

“The recent tragedy at Seaton Carew reinforces just how important it is to promote water safety in schools, and our thoughts are with the two men’s families who sadly lost their lives.

“I’d like to thank everyone within the school for the work that has been undertaken to help keep our children and others safe from the vagaries of the water.”

Andy Lane, Education Manager for RLSS UK’s Water Smart Schools programme, said: “Having reviewed the evidence provided, I am very pleased to confirm that West View Primary School has achieved gold level accreditation – very well done indeed!

“Please accept my congratulations to everyone involved at the school for an amazing effort across all aspects of the programme! Your evidence submission is a best practice example of how to approach the programme, and I applaud you for your efforts.”

West View Primary School is one of ten primary schools across Hartlepool, Teesside and County Durham under the umbrella of Ad Astra Academy Trust.

Andy Brown OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Ad Astra, said: “Water poses so many dangers whether that is the sea, rivers or reservoirs. The drownings at Seaton Carew recently are devastating for the families and our thoughts are with them, and everyone affected by this tragedy.

“It highlights just how important it is that we do everything we can in schools to raise awareness about water safety.”

The other Ad Astra Academy Trust schools are Barnard Grove, Brougham and West Park in Hartlepool, Crooksbarn and Rosebrook in Stockton-on-Tees, Ayresome and Sunnyside in Middlesbrough and Deaf Hill and Kelloe in County Durham.

Click below to listen to West View Primary School’s Caitlin Jones who has been heavily involved in the initiative.