11/08/2026
🏊♀️ CAN YOUR CHILD REALLY SWIM?
If you watched BBC News today, you may have seen the report highlighting the worrying number of children leaving primary school unable to swim 25 metres.
But we think there’s another really important question parents should be asking…
Can your child swim confidently and independently when they can’t touch the bottom?
Being able to swim one length of a pool is a fantastic achievement — but swimming lessons shouldn’t stop there.
💙 Can they get themselves to the side if they fall into deep water?
💙 Can they tread water?
💙 Can they swim when they’re tired?
💙 Can they swim without relying on floats or an adult?
💙 Are they confident in water where their feet cannot touch the bottom?
The BBC report also highlighted the lack of school swimming provision, with some children receiving just 10–20 lessons during an entire school year.
School swimming is incredibly valuable, but large groups and mixed abilities can make it difficult to give every child the individual attention and practice they need.
This is why regular swimming lessons outside of school can be so important.
We know children have lots of activities competing for their time — football, dancing, gymnastics, tennis and so much more. And they’re all fantastic.
But swimming is different.
🏊♂️ Swimming is an essential life skill.
It isn’t about becoming the fastest swimmer.
It isn’t about winning races.
It isn’t even just about swimming 25 metres.
It’s about giving your child the skills, confidence and independence to keep themselves safer around water.
Please don’t wait until your child can swim one length and think, “That’s it, they’re safe.”
Keep going. Keep building their confidence. Keep developing their skills.
Because the water doesn’t care whether your child is a beginner, can swim 25 metres or has passed a swimming level.
Water safety is a skill for life. 💙
How is your school doing on teaching pupils life-saving swimming skills in the English curriculum?
