Primary School Swimming
Glovers Swim School provide primary school swimming lessons across Lancashire.
Glovers Swim School offers more than standard swimming lessons for primary schools with our specialist technique-focused lessons. Your child will also learn how to be safe around different water environments, such as beaches, lakes, and canals. They will know how to use the skills they learn in their swimming lessons in an emergency situation.
Is Swimming Compulsory in Primary School UK?
The Department for Education understands the importance of learning to swim – it is the only physical activity that can save your life, so swimming is compulsory in primary schools in the UK. All schools must provide swimming lessons in Key Stage 1 or 2. Swimming is the only statutory sport within the Physical Education (PE) programme of study – and in particular, pupils should be taught to:
- Perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.
- Swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of AT LEAST 25 metres.
- Use a range of strokes effectively, such as front crawl, backstroke, and breaststroke.
Compulsory Swimming Lessons in Primary Schools
Regular compulsory swimming lessons in primary schools are crucial for a child's continued development and safety. The national curriculum framework focuses on building water confidence and safety, not stroke technique. It is recommended to continue private swimming lessons alongside school swimming lessons, as they teach more in-depth skills and techniques. The aim of school swimming and water safety lessons is to teach children to be safe in and around water, with a focus on water safety. Regular lessons progress beyond the minimum national curriculum requirements, preparing children for an active and healthy future.
Parents play a crucial role in encouraging their children to swim and learn about water safety, survival, and lifesaving. They can help by increasing their child's water confidence, attending family fun sessions, discussing water safety knowledge, ensuring their child has the necessary equipment for school swimming lessons, and identifying their current attainment level.
Signing up for additional lessons at local facilities as early as possible can help them start learning as a baby. It's important to ask if local pool lessons follow the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme, which focuses on fun and aligns with school swimming lessons.
Important items to pack in your child’s swimming kit are:
- Swimwear
- Towels
- Swimming cap
- Goggles
- Toiletries
- Hairbrush/comb
- Locker coins
- Water
- Snack
