A children’s charity taught local primary school pupils how to protect themselves from harm with the help of Olympic swimmer Jazz Carlin.

 The double silver medallist from the 2016 Rio Games swapped the pool for the classroom as she spoke to children from Llanvihangel Crucorney as part of the NSPCC’s Schools Service. 

The Swansea-based swimmer, who also won gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, visited the school Pandy today as part of the NSPCC’s Speak Out Stay Safe programme, which aims to ensure all children aged four to 11 have access to essential information on how to stay safe from abuse and neglect. 

Since its launch in 2011, the programme has now reached an incredible 80,000 children in schools across Wales.

As well as assembly presentations for all primary schoolchildren, one hour workshops are also provided for pupils in years five and six. 

Jazz said, “The NSPCC does important work to protect children across Wales and reaches thousands of pupils by going into schools and explaining how to stay safe online and how to protect themselves from abuse.

“It was fantastic to go into the school and meet the children there, but I was also delighted to be able to give them some tips on how to look after themselves and their friends.

“The NSPCC is a charity which does vital work in schools and communities throughout Wales I am happy to support its vital work.”

 Linking directly to the curriculum, Speak Out Stay Safe helps children to, understand abuse in all its forms and recognise the signs that it’s happening; learn how to protect themselves, and recognise both how to get help.

 In Wales over 80,000 children have benefited from the service. 

The service aims to visit every primary school once every two years and further interest can be registered by teachers via the NSPCC’s website.

 NSPCC co-ordinator, Hayley Dunlop added, “We are absolutely committed to ensuring all primary school children get the information they need in an appropriate way and this has been another hugely successful year visiting schools across Wales.”