Swimming and water safety is a
compulsory part of the National Curriculum at primary school to
make sure that children are well equipped to enjoy swimming and
know how to keep safe in and around
water.
As we head into summer, it's
especially important that children are prepared with these
skills.
This year, the Royal Life Saving
Society UK's Drowning Prevention Week runs from 14 June to 21
June 2025, and aims to raise awareness about water safety.
Water safety skills are useful to know
all year round. Here's everything you need to know about what is
taught in schools.
What do pupils learn in school
about water safety?
To help build children's confidence in
and around water, we work closely with a range of organisations
including Swim England, The Royal Life Saving Society UK and the
RNLI.
Water safety is a mandatory part of
the curriculum for PE at primary school, with
pupils taught to perform safe self-rescue in different
water-based situations.
By the end of primary school, all
children should be able to swim at least 25 metres
unaided and be able to perform a range of
strokes.
Schools can also use their
Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) programme to equip
pupils with a good understanding of risk to help them make safe
and informed decisions.
The Canal and River Trust, in coordination with the PSHE
Association, has published new lesson packs for
Key Stage 3 pupils.
How are you supporting schools
to teach water safety?
We have announced additional funding
for academic year 25/26 for the PE and sport premium. This is
funding which primary schools must use to make improvements to
the quality of the PE, sport and physical activity on
offer.
The PE and sport premium can be used
by primary schools to support swimming and water safety lessons,
including funding teacher training and
additional swimming lessons for children who need extra
help.
We're also helping children with SEND
(special educational needs and disabilities) to learn to swim
about water safety through our Inclusion 2028 programme, led by
the Youth Sport Trust. New resources are available
on Swim England's new online inclusion hub.
Where can I find out
more?
Swim England's School Swimming and Water
Safety Charter provides schools with free resources and
support.
Water safety resources are also available for pupils in Key
Stages 1 to 3 via the Royal Life Saving
Society's website.
