Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure the teaching of water survival techniques to children in rural or remote areas where there is no provision of swimming pools or access to other safe places to swim.

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.

While many schools enjoy excellent links to local facilities we do know that some schools, especially in rural areas, 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 to Ministers shortly. Further details will be announced in due course.