Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of primary schools do not have access to a swimming pool and are therefore not able to provide swimming lessons to their pupils.

We want all children to leave primary school able to swim. Swimming is not only an excellent form of physical activity but also a life-saving skill. This is why swimming and water safety is compulsory in the national curriculum for PE at key stages 1 and 2.

We do not hold information on the percentage of primary schools without access to swimming pools. While many schools enjoy excellent links to local facilities we do know that some primaries struggle to access local pools.

To help look into this and other issues that hinder the teaching of high quality swimming lessons, the Government has established a working group to advise on how to ensure no child leaves primary school unable to swim. The group is supported by the Amateur Swimming Association and includes sector experts, and will be presenting their recommendations in the new year.