Swimming lessons 'vital' as schools gap revealed

A BBC investigation has revealed a stark disparity in swimming abilities among English primary school students, with those from disadvantaged backgrounds significantly less likely to meet the required 25-meter swimming standard. In 2024-25, 72% of Year 6 pupils nationwide left school able to swim 25 meters, but this figure fell to a mere 55% for schools with higher proportions of disadvantaged children.

Ashley Jones, head of water safety and education at the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), emphasized that it is "absolutely vital" that children receive basic swimming and self-rescue skills. The Department for Education acknowledged the existing gap and stated it needs to be addressed.

The national curriculum in England mandates that all Year 6 pupils should be able to swim competently, confidently, and proficiently for at least 25 meters, use a range of strokes effectively, and perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations. However, only 70% of 2024-25 Year 6 leavers could perform a safe self-rescue, while only half of children from the highest level of free meal eligibility schools could do so.

Schools typically receive only six weeks of 30-minute swimming lessons, totaling three hours, which some experts argue is insufficient for children from low-income families to develop the necessary skills. Factors such as accessibility and cost often limit children's access to swimming education.

To address this issue, the RLSS advocates for a fully funded, fully supported, high-level learn-to-swim program that incorporates water safety education and practical application in outdoor environments. Hampshire-based swimming teacher Bethany Harris suggested starting swimming lessons earlier in life to ensure no child is left behind.

The disparity in swimming abilities is also evident in urban and rural areas, with fewer children in urban areas able to swim proficiently. The RLSS and Swim England are working closely with the government to support school swimming lessons and make swimming lessons accessible to all children, emphasizing that swimming is a life skill, not just a sport.