PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Children: Swimming (4 September 2024)

Swimming and water safety is a vital life skill. This is why swimming and water safety are compulsory elements of the PE National Curriculum at Key Stages 1 and 2, including teaching on how to perform safe self rescue in different water-based situations.

The government recently launched a Curriculum and Assessment Review to drive high and rising standards for all pupils. This will seek to deliver a broader curriculum, so that children and young people do not miss out on subjects such as PE and sport.

​Primary schools can use the PE and sport premium to support swimming and water safety lessons, including funding teacher training and additional swimming lessons for children not able to meet National Curriculum expectations after their PE lessons.

The department is working across government to deliver its Opportunity Missions which includes ensuring that children and young people have equal opportunities to participate in high-quality PE, sports and physical activities, including swimming.

​The department is also providing up to £300,000 a year to fund Inclusion 2024 to improve opportunities for children with special educational needs and disabilities to take part in PE and sport, including a focus on swimming and water safety.  As part of the programme a new Inclusive Education Hub on the Swim England website has been created that provides resources for schools and swimming teachers. This can be accessed here: https://education.activityalliance.org.uk/.