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How Lifesaving Shaped Isabel’s Future
Senior School | Sixth Form | Laurels Association
31 January 2025
The Lifesaving Club at EHS offers more than just a chance to learn valuable skills – it opens doors to incredible opportunities. One of our former students, Isabel Jones, found her passion for lifesaving here, leading her to a dedicated role with the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS). Read her inspiring story and discover where lifesaving could take you!
“Since I was 12, I have been involved in the RLSS Rookie Lifesaving Programme through my lifesaving club at school, Edgbaston High School for Girls. Starting by completing my bronze, silver and gold awards, I then completed my Assistant Lifesaving Instructor qualification at 14. I then had the experience of teaching younger girls at our weekly lifesaving club. In my final two years, I also had the experience of becoming Lifesaving Captain and learning about managing people and working on my communication skills.
At 16, I completed my NPLQ and this for me is where my true love of lifesaving began. Along with a few other lifeguards at my school, I had the incredible opportunity of working at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. I then also began actively working as a Lifeguard at weekends and school holidays.
During my final year of A-Levels I become an RLSS Youth Ambassador. This has been an incredible experience for the past 3 years, allowing me to attend exciting events such as the National Lifesaving Championships. I have now renewed my term in this role for the next 3 years.
When choosing a university, I was set on finding one that offered my chosen course, Textile Design, as well as a pool where I could continue lifeguarding. In September 2023, I went to Loughborough University, where I worked as a Lifeguard for a small swim school, Aqua-tec. At university, I have channelled my love of water through both AU Canoe and AU Triathlon.
From May 2024, I moved to a new job at the University of Birmingham as a Sports Assistant, where I continue to work in my university holidays. In June 2024, I passed my assessment to become a Level 2 STA Swim Teacher, a course very well complimented by an NPLQ. This academic year (2024-25) I have been teaching swimming lessons whilst at university.
Overall, I am so grateful to RLSS UK for some incredible experiences and to my fantastic lifesaving teacher, Michelle Hayward, who sparked my love for lifesaving from a young
age.”
