Written question asked by Andrew Stephenson (Conservative) on Monday, 7 October 2013, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 October 2013. It was answered by Edward Timpson (Conservative) on Monday, 14 October 2013 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Schools: Swimming

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how much his Department spent on promoting safe swimming in schools in each of the last three years;

Answer

Swimming will remain a compulsory part of the new national curriculum. All pupils must be taught to swim at least 25 metres unaided and be able to use recognised swimming strokes by the end of key stage 2. It is also required that a child can demonstrate an understanding of water safety.

The Department's website includes links to the website of the Amateur Swimming Association (the national governing body of swimming in England) which includes detailed advice for teachers about measures to ensure children's safety when swimming.

There is no separate element of school funding that relates specifically to the promotion of safe swimming. In March we committed cross-government funding of £150 million per year across the academic years 2013/14 and 2014/15 to improve the provision of PE and sport in primary schools. This funding can be used to improve a school's provision of swimming.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 169847; 568 c611W
Session: 2013-14
Subjects: Schools Swimming
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk

Schools: Swimming

Secondary information

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