Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to address the declining number of children who can swim confidently.

The PE curriculum makes specific reference to swimming and water safety, stating that all primary pupils must learn to swim competently and confidently over a distance of at least 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively and perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.

PE curriculum reforms will ensure there is a clear emphasis on swimming and water safety, and our new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will bring the expertise of national governing bodies including Swim England directly into schools.

In addition, changes made to statutory requirements for relationships, sex and health education ensure all pupils are taught about the water safety code, supporting them to be safe in different types of water.

Furthermore, Oak National Academy offers swimming and water safety units as part of its PE curriculum, alongside sector organisations to support all schools to provide swimming and water safety lessons through teacher training and resources.