Vanessa Abbess’s son Joe, from Southampton, drowned after being caught in a rip tide on Bournemouth beach in May 2023.
Now, Vanessa and Southampton Itchen MP, Darren Paffey, have backed a recent government announcement that schools will be required to teach the Water Safety Code in RHSE lessons.
This initiative forms part of the Department for Education’s (DfE) newly released Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education, and Health Education (RSHE) statutory guidance for schools in England.
This announcement comes nearly a month after Darren Paffey led a debate in Parliament.
MPs from across the political divide came together to discuss the importance of water safety education in schools.
Mr Paffey said: “It was clear from the backbench debate that I led in Parliament last month that there is broad recognition across the political spectrum that improving water safety education could help save many lives.
“I’m therefore delighted that the DfE has announced this week that the Water Safety Code will be integrated into the newly released Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education, and Health Education (RSHE) statutory guidance for schools in England.”
Vanessa, who has been campaigning tirelessly since the death of her son, said: “I was delighted to hear that water safety has been added as statutory to the National Curriculum for primary and secondary children in England.
“I feel that this knowledge will potentially reduce water-related deaths and save thousands of lives.”
READ MORE: Joe Abbess: Mum and best friend issue beach safety advice
Joe Abbess, who was 17 at the time of the incident, was a trainee chef and gym enthusiast who tragically drowned in a rip current in Bournemouth on May 31, 2023.
The incident also claimed the life of 12-year-old Sunnah Khan and required the rescue of eight other individuals.
In response to the tragedy, Vanessa, alongside Joe’s best friend, has been vocal about the dangers of the sea and has issued beach safety advice.
They advise swimmers to choose lifeguarded beaches, stay within the flags, and enter the sea with a friend.
In a rip current, beachgoers should “float to live,” with their head back and ears submerged.
