The current PE national curriculum requires all primary pupils to be taught to swim competently and confidently over 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively, and perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.

The government accepted the recommendations of the Curriculum and Assessment Review, which recognised the benefits of PE while identifying a need for greater clarity, consistency and progression across the curriculum, including in swimming and water safety. In response, the department is developing a revised PE programme of study, which will be subject to consultation.

The reforms will strengthen the emphasis on swimming and water safety and will be supported through the new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, drawing on expertise from organisations including Swim England.

The department has not made a specific assessment of recruitment and retention among those delivering curriculum swimming. However, the School and College Voice survey published in May 2025 found that 94% of primary schools surveyed relied solely on external teachers to teach swimming and water safety, compared with 6% using internal swimming staff and 20% supporting delivery. Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-and-college-voice-omnibus-surveys-for-2024-to-2025/school-and-college-voice-may-2025#sec-Swimming-and-water-safety.

The current PE national curriculum requires all primary pupils to be taught to swim competently and confidently over 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively, and perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.

The government accepted the recommendations of the Curriculum and Assessment Review, which recognised the benefits of PE while identifying a need for greater clarity, consistency and progression across the curriculum, including in swimming and water safety. In response, the department is developing a revised PE programme of study, which will be subject to consultation.

The reforms will strengthen the emphasis on swimming and water safety and will be supported through the new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, drawing on expertise from organisations including Swim England.

The department has not made a specific assessment of recruitment and retention among those delivering curriculum swimming. However, the School and College Voice survey published in May 2025 found that 94% of primary schools surveyed relied solely on external teachers to teach swimming and water safety, compared with 6% using internal swimming staff and 20% supporting delivery. Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-and-college-voice-omnibus-surveys-for-2024-to-2025/school-and-college-voice-may-2025#sec-Swimming-and-water-safety.

The current PE national curriculum requires all primary pupils to be taught to swim competently and confidently over 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively, and perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.

The government accepted the recommendations of the Curriculum and Assessment Review, which recognised the benefits of PE while identifying a need for greater clarity, consistency and progression across the curriculum, including in swimming and water safety. In response, the department is developing a revised PE programme of study, which will be subject to consultation.

The reforms will strengthen the emphasis on swimming and water safety and will be supported through the new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, drawing on expertise from organisations including Swim England.

The department has not made a specific assessment of recruitment and retention among those delivering curriculum swimming. However, the School and College Voice survey published in May 2025 found that 94% of primary schools surveyed relied solely on external teachers to teach swimming and water safety, compared with 6% using internal swimming staff and 20% supporting delivery. Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-and-college-voice-omnibus-surveys-for-2024-to-2025/school-and-college-voice-may-2025#sec-Swimming-and-water-safety.

Swimming is a vital life skill. Every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim before leaving primary school. Schools must provide core swimming lessons within the PE national curriculum in key stage 1 or key stage 2, teaching pupils to swim competently, confidently and proficiently over at least 25 metres.

Schools receive core funding for curriculum activities, including PE, which can be used for swimming lessons and transport.

The department has also confirmed £1 billion funding for PE and school sport over three years, building on £67 billion of core funding this year.

Increasing access and improving attainment in swimming will be key priorities for the new PE and School Sport Partnerships network. The network will develop more consistent high-quality support, including swimming and water safety training, access to specialist coaching, links to local swimming clubs and greater access to competitions and national programmes.

The PE curriculum makes specific reference to swimming and water safety, stating that all primary pupils must learn to swim competently and confidently over a distance of at least 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively and perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.

PE curriculum reforms will ensure there is a clear emphasis on swimming and water safety, and our new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will bring the expertise of national governing bodies including Swim England directly into schools.

In addition, changes made to statutory requirements for relationships, sex and health education ensure all pupils are taught about the water safety code, supporting them to be safe in different types of water.

Furthermore, Oak National Academy offers swimming and water safety units as part of its PE curriculum, alongside sector organisations to support all schools to provide swimming and water safety lessons through teacher training and resources.

The PE national curriculum requires all primary pupils to be taught to swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively, and perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.

These requirements help children understand and respond to water-related risks, including those associated with open water. In addition, revised statutory relationships, sex and health education guidance will ensure that all pupils in both primary and secondary are taught about the Water Safety Code, including floating as a key lifesaving technique. These requirements will come into force from September.

Our reforms to the PE curriculum will ensure there is a clear emphasis on swimming and water safety, and our new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will bring the expertise of national governing bodies including Swim England directly into schools.

While current data shows disparities in swimming attainment, our new approach aims to ensure all children have the opportunity to develop these vital skills. Alongside a universal offer for all schools, the network will provide targeted support for schools and pupils with the greatest need.

The PE national curriculum requires all primary pupils to be taught to swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively, and perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.

These requirements help children understand and respond to water-related risks, including those associated with open water. In addition, revised statutory relationships, sex and health education guidance will ensure that all pupils in both primary and secondary are taught about the Water Safety Code, including floating as a key lifesaving technique. These requirements will come into force from September.

Our reforms to the PE curriculum will ensure there is a clear emphasis on swimming and water safety, and our new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will bring the expertise of national governing bodies including Swim England directly into schools.

While current data shows disparities in swimming attainment, our new approach aims to ensure all children have the opportunity to develop these vital skills. Alongside a universal offer for all schools, the network will provide targeted support for schools and pupils with the greatest need.

The PE national curriculum makes specific reference to swimming and water safety, stating that all primary pupils must learn to swim competently and confidently over a distance of at least 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively, and perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations. It is for schools to ensure that pupils are taught the nation curriculum. Data suggests that 73% of children can swim 25 metres before they leave primary school.

Our reforms to the PE curriculum will ensure there is a clear emphasis on swimming and water safety, and our new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will bring the expertise of national governing bodies including Swim England directly into schools.

In addition, we have made changes to statutory requirements for relationships, sex and health education in both primary and secondary to ensure all pupils are taught about the water safety code, supporting them to be safe in different types of water. This requirement comes into force from September.

Oak National Academy offers swimming and water safety units as part of its PE curriculum, developed in partnership with Swim England for all age groups. We also work closely with sector organisations like Swim England and the Royal Life Saving Society UK, supporting all schools to provide swimming and water safety lessons through teacher training and resources.

The PE national curriculum makes specific reference to swimming and water safety, stating that all primary pupils must learn to swim competently and confidently over a distance of at least 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively, and perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations. It is for schools to ensure that pupils are taught the nation curriculum. Data suggests that 73% of children can swim 25 metres before they leave primary school.

Our reforms to the PE curriculum will ensure there is a clear emphasis on swimming and water safety, and our new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will bring the expertise of national governing bodies including Swim England directly into schools.

In addition, we have made changes to statutory requirements for relationships, sex and health education in both primary and secondary to ensure all pupils are taught about the water safety code, supporting them to be safe in different types of water. This requirement comes into force from September.

Oak National Academy offers swimming and water safety units as part of its PE curriculum, developed in partnership with Swim England for all age groups. We also work closely with sector organisations like Swim England and the Royal Life Saving Society UK, supporting all schools to provide swimming and water safety lessons through teacher training and resources.

Swimming and water safety are vital life skills, and every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim and know how to keep themselves safe around water before they leave primary school.

The PE national curriculum makes specific reference to swimming and water safety, stating that all primary pupils must learn to swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively and perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.

Our reforms to the PE curriculum will ensure there is a clear emphasis on swimming and water safety, and our new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will bring the expertise of national governing bodies, including Swim England, directly into schools.

In addition, we have made changes to statutory requirements for relationships, sex and health education in both primary and secondary to ensure all pupils are taught about the water safety code, supporting them to be safe in different types of water.

Following the Curriculum and Assessment Review, the government committed to reviewing the swimming and water safety content within the PE national curriculum to support more consistent, high-quality provision across schools. The department works closely with sector organisations, including Swim England, the Royal Life Saving Society UK and the National Water Safety Education Working Group, to support schools through high-quality resources, teacher training and curriculum development.

Through both the revised PE curriculum and the updated statutory relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) curriculum, pupils will be taught how to stay safe around water, supporting the development of a vital life skill from primary school onwards. Together, the PE and RSHE curricula will help ensure that all pupils have the opportunity to develop the practical competence and safety knowledge needed to be safer in different water environments. Stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft PE curriculum during the public consultation later this year.

The department recognises that swimming and water safety are vital life skills, and every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim and to keep themselves safe around water by the time they leave primary school.

Schools receive core funding for activities within the curriculum, including funding to provide compulsory swimming as part of PE and lessons on water safety which we are making a compulsory part of RSHE from September.

Increasing access and improving attainment in swimming and water safety will be key priorities for the new PE and School Sport Partnerships network. The network will support access to swimming by bringing together schools, local clubs, and national governing bodies of sport, helping to identify, and address barriers to participation so that funding and support are targeted where they are needed most.

Swimming is a vital life skill. This is why swimming is a curriculum entitlement at primary school. Funded through core school budgets, schools must provide swimming lessons in either key stage 1 or 2.

The department has confirmed £1 billion funding for PE and school sport over three years, building on the £67 billion core funding provided this year.

Increasing access and improving attainment in swimming will be key priorities for the new PE and School Sport Partnerships network. It will bring together schools, local clubs, and national governing bodies of sport to identify and address barriers to participation, targeting funding and support to where they are needed most.

The network will develop more consistent high-quality support, including swimming and water safety training, access to specialist coaching, links to local swimming clubs and greater access to competitions and national programmes.

Swimming is a vital life skill. Every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim before leaving primary school. Schools must provide core swimming lessons within the PE national curriculum in key stage 1 or key stage 2, teaching pupils to swim competently, confidently and proficiently over at least 25 metres.

Schools receive core funding for curriculum activities, including PE, which can be used for swimming lessons and transport.

The department has also confirmed £1 billion funding for PE and school sport over three years, building on £67 billion of core funding this year, ensuring schools have the resources they need to deliver for pupils.

Increasing access and improving attainment in swimming and water safety will be key priorities for the new PE and School Sport Partnerships network. The network will support access to swimming by bringing together schools, local clubs, and national governing bodies of sport, helping to identify and address barriers to participation so that funding and support are targeted where they are needed most. Furthermore, the network will support attainment by developing high quality support more consistently to schools, including swimming and water safety training, access to specialist coaching, links to local swimming clubs and greater access to competitions and national programmes.

Swimming is a vital life skill. Every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim before leaving primary school. Schools must provide core swimming lessons within the PE national curriculum in key stage 1 or key stage 2, teaching pupils to swim competently, confidently and proficiently over at least 25 metres.

Schools receive core funding for curriculum activities, including PE, which can be used for swimming lessons and transport.

The department has also confirmed £1 billion funding for PE and school sport over three years, building on £67 billion of core funding this year, ensuring schools have the resources they need to deliver for pupils.

Increasing access and improving attainment in swimming and water safety will be key priorities for the new PE and School Sport Partnerships network. The network will support access to swimming by bringing together schools, local clubs, and national governing bodies of sport, helping to identify and address barriers to participation so that funding and support are targeted where they are needed most. Furthermore, the network will support attainment by developing high quality support more consistently to schools, including swimming and water safety training, access to specialist coaching, links to local swimming clubs and greater access to competitions and national programmes.

The department does not collect data on socio-economic background and ethnicity with regards to swimming proficiency. We do collect information through the PE and sport premium digital expenditure reporting return at regional level.

The department is processing information gathered on swimming and water safety through the digital expenditure reporting return and will publish a summary of quality assured data in due course.​

Swimming and water safety are vital life skills, and every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim and know how to keep themselves safe around water before they leave primary school. The latest figures indicate that 73% of children can swim 25 metres by the time they leave primary school. We are focused on improving that figure through our forthcoming changes to the curriculum and the support for schools to deliver PE and sport.

The new PE and Sports Partnership Network will support more children to learn to swim by providing practical, targeted support to schools. This includes swimming provision, coaching, support to open facilities and stronger links to extra‑curricular sport and local clubs.

All schools must provide swimming and water safety lessons within the physical education (PE) national curriculum, either in key stage 1 or key stage 2. Swimming and water safety are vital life skills, and every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim and keep themselves safe around water by the time they leave primary school. In addition, the statutory relationships, sex and health education guidance ensures that all pupils are taught about the water safety code, supporting them to stay safe in a range of water environments.

We recognise the importance of these life skills, which is why the department is working closely with sector organisations, including Swim England, the Royal Life Saving Society UK and National Water Safety Education, to support schools in delivering high-quality swimming and water safety lessons through teacher training and resources.

Schools receive core funding for activities within the curriculum, including funding to deliver PE, such as swimming and water safety lessons. Supporting pupils to access swimming and water safety will be a key priority for the new PE and School Sport Partnerships approach. By bringing together schools, local clubs and National Governing Bodies of Sport to identify and address barriers to participation, including access to swimming, funding and support can be targeted where they are needed most.

All schools must provide swimming and water safety lessons within the physical education (PE) national curriculum, either in key stage 1 or key stage 2. Swimming and water safety are vital life skills, and every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim and keep themselves safe around water by the time they leave primary school. In addition, the statutory relationships, sex and health education guidance ensures that all pupils are taught about the water safety code, supporting them to stay safe in a range of water environments.

We recognise the importance of these life skills, which is why the department is working closely with sector organisations, including Swim England, the Royal Life Saving Society UK and National Water Safety Education, to support schools in delivering high-quality swimming and water safety lessons through teacher training and resources.

Schools receive core funding for activities within the curriculum, including funding to deliver PE, such as swimming and water safety lessons. Supporting pupils to access swimming and water safety will be a key priority for the new PE and School Sport Partnerships approach. By bringing together schools, local clubs and National Governing Bodies of Sport to identify and address barriers to participation, including access to swimming, funding and support can be targeted where they are needed most.

All schools must provide swimming and water safety lessons within the physical education (PE) national curriculum, either in key stage 1 or key stage 2. Swimming and water safety are vital life skills, and every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim and keep themselves safe around water by the time they leave primary school. In addition, the statutory relationships, sex and health education guidance ensures that all pupils are taught about the water safety code, supporting them to stay safe in a range of water environments.

We recognise the importance of these life skills, which is why the department is working closely with sector organisations, including Swim England, the Royal Life Saving Society UK and National Water Safety Education, to support schools in delivering high-quality swimming and water safety lessons through teacher training and resources.

Schools receive core funding for activities within the curriculum, including funding to deliver PE, such as swimming and water safety lessons. Supporting pupils to access swimming and water safety will be a key priority for the new PE and School Sport Partnerships approach. By bringing together schools, local clubs and National Governing Bodies of Sport to identify and address barriers to participation, including access to swimming, funding and support can be targeted where they are needed most.