Swimming and the national curriculum

Since 1994, swimming and water safety has been a statutory element of the national curriculum for physical education in England.

This means that every 11-year old child should leave primary school with the skills to keep themselves safe while enjoying swimming with friends and family.

The two national curriculum outcomes

Swimming is the only sport to be included within the national curriculum physical education programme of study. All primary schools must provide swimming and water safety lessons in either Key Stage 1 or 2.

Each pupil is required to be able to do the following:

• Swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres
• Use a range of strokes effectively, for example, front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke.
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• Please can you bring proof into school to show that your child can do the above.
• If your child has not reached this level then provision will be made to include them in the spring term's swimming lessons.
• Please can you let us know by Friday 28th November to enable us to book extra places at the baths and arrange transport.
• Many thanks