THE deaths of two Oxford teenagers in drowning incidents within a few months has prompted their school to take steps to try to prevent another tragedy.

Following the deaths of Ben Halsey-Jones and Hassan Hussain - who were both pupils at The Cherwell School, in Marston Ferry Road - the school has introduced river safety lessons for 11 and 12-year-old pupils.

This week, staff will finalise plans for swimming lessons for pupils who cannot swim, using money raised by pupils in memory of the two boys.

Ben was missing for four weeks after falling into the swollen River Thames while riding his bike at Port Meadow in January. Hassan drowned after getting into difficulties in the River Cherwell at University Parks last June. He was playing with friends when he disappeared under the surface.

Ever since, pupils have been involved with a number of fundraising activities and the boys' parents will meet teachers to discuss how best to use the money.

Both boys were aged 15 and Year 10 pupils at the time of their deaths.

Mal Dolan, head of Years 10 and 11, has been heavily involved in the fundraising activities. She said: "Mr Hussain is very keen to offer discreet swimming lessons to Asian girls who are unable to swim, but are concerned about appearing in front of others."

There is £300 in the Hassan Hussain Memorial Foundation, but Mrs Dolan said a significant amount had been sent to the Anthony Nolan Trust at the family's request.

Mrs Dolan added: "The pupils' initiative with fundraising has been incredible. It's paramount that we ensure something positive and long-term comes from the fundraising."

The river safety lessons have formed part of geography classes over the past few weeks. The school's assistant headteacher, Julie Stuart-Thompson, said: "Living in a city like Oxford, being around the river is a part of our pupils' lives, which is why it is so important we educate them about rivers.

"They learn not just about the geographical aspects of rivers, such as currents, but discuss the dangers and risks, as well as good and bad experiences children have had on the riverside."

She added that assemblies on river safety had been held for children in other year groups.

Of the memorial funds, she said: "We hope we can use this money so that every child coming through Cherwell is able to swim.

"Unfortunately, the Government is continually cutting back on the funds it gives schools for swimming lessons. If pupils don't learn to swim at primary school and their families don't encourage them to swim, then there's no other way.

"My personal hope is that this means we never have another tragedy."

Hassan's father, Bashir Hussain, said: "The idea is that the money in the memorial foundation is used for swimming-related activities, which includes helping people who might not be good swimmers to improve, so that they can look after themselves in water. This has to be a good thing."

  • In Years Seven and Eight, pupils at Cheney School in Headington learn about river safety, along with other "risky" situations. At Peers School, in Littlemore, all pupils learn to swim.