1 in 4 Children Leave School Unable to Swim; Sign the Petition

06/06/2022

Despite swimming being part of the national curriculum, 1 in 4 children leaves primary school unable to swim every year. That’s 25% of all children and young people who are at risk of drowning if they were to fall in to water, whether they are playing with friends, on a family holiday or just by accident.

Typically, these children come from ethnic minority and socially disadvantaged backgrounds and the renewed threats to leisure centres and swimming pools through the energy bills crisis will only exacerbate the problem as pools in the poorest areas are forced to close their doors.

Swim United is a campaign for change from Speedo, in partnership with The Black Swimming Association, Swim England and Active Black Country.

With swimming the only sport which is a life-saving skill, Speedo Swim United want to ensure all children leave primary school able to swim 25 metres by 2025. As part of the Swim United campaign, they have already invested in inspiring +3,000 children and young people into swimming and teaching over +1000 to learn to swim, as part of a pilot scheme and will continue to roll this out far and wide.

Sue Wilkinson MBE, afPE CEO said:

afPE is delighted to support Speedo’s Swim United campaign, supported by the Active Black Country, the Black Swimming Association and Swim England, to address the challenges regarding the number of primary children that leave primary school unable to swim. afPE has long been championing the importance of swimming as a statutory part of the physical education curriculum. Not only is there a safeguarding issue but it is a fundamental entitlement for every child to be able to swim. In addition, the health benefits of swimming are irrefutable, as well as the fun and enjoyment that can be experienced by participating in various aquatic activities. The afPE Task Force, Chaired by Edward Timpson CBE MP, included a recommendation regarding swimming and that all children must be entitled to learn to swim a minimum of 25 meters and safe self rescue. The Commonwealth Games offers an excellent platform to provide a commitment and in turn a legacy to achieve these outcomes for all children in the Black Country. We hope that the principles can be replicated across the UK.

To sign the petition calling on the Government to affect real change, click HERE.