BLACK COUNTRY SWIMMING SURVEY SHOWS SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT

The number of Black Country primary school leavers who can swim 25m has increased by nearly 4% compared to the previous year, according to Active Black Country’s annual swimming survey.

Data from the 2024-25 Black Country Primary School Swimming Survey reveals that 61% of pupils can swim 25m by the time they leave school compared to 56.7% for 2023/24. But 4 in 10 pupils are still finishing Year 6 without this important ability.

The survey findings also show a small dip in the proportion of primary school leavers who can demonstrate safe self-rescue.

Richard Bradford, our Education Programme Manager, said the survey results are partly impacted by Black Country Water Safety programme initiatives.

“It’s encouraging to see signs of improvement in swimming and water safety attainment across the Black Country. However, we know there is still much more to do to ensure every child in the Black Country leaves primary school with the essential swimming skills and water safety knowledge they need,” he said.

“These findings highlight the importance of continuing to work with schools, local authorities and other partners to address barriers and improve opportunities.”

National curriculum requirements

The latest edition of our annual swimming survey pulls together information from a range of sources including Key Stage 2 performance data and primary schools research conducted by Active Black Country and partners.

Schools should provide sufficient swimming opportunities to ensure all pupils – including those with special educational needs, those with a disability or impairment and those whose first language is not English – make progress and achieve their very best in swimming and water safety.

Under the national curriculum, the requirement is for all Year 6 pupils to meet the statutory minimum standard of capability and confidence in swimming and safe self-rescue:

25m Proficiency - every child is able to swim confidently, competently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25m.

Water Safety – every pupil should be able to demonstrate safe self-rescue and evidence this in different water-based situations.

Active Black Country undertakes an annual survey with primary schools to understand some of the context that underpins the numbers.

Of the 108 Black Country primary schools who provided responses:

• 36.2% do 25 or more hours of learn to swim which covers dryside tuition and pool time.
• 42% intend to use PE and School Sport Premium funding for top-up and additional swimming lessons.
• 75% would like to increase poolside and/or dryside lessons; 29% want to increase poolside and 9% dryside, while an additional 37% would like to increase both poolside and dryside learning.
• 68% use their teaching staff to help swimming instructors conduct lessons.
• 30% use their own teachers to deliver swimming lessons

The survey revealed some notable areas of good practice:

Additional and intensive swimming sessions: For non-swimmers, Year 6 pupils, and specific year groups, leading to more pupils meeting curriculum benchmarks and achieving longer distances.

Focus on water confidence and self-rescue skills: Helping pupils improve safety awareness, confidence, and competence in the water.

Targeted support for SEND pupils: Including 1:1 support, staff in the pool, sensory swims, and tailored strategies that have helped SEND pupils gain confidence, engage more successfully, and make significant progress.

Water Safety Resource Hub

With 80% of people in the Black Country living within a mile of open water, ensuring children and young people are equipped with water safety knowledge is vital. The Black Country Water Safety Programme, launched in September 2024, was initiated in response to growing concern about children’s access to swimming and water safety education, particularly in areas of deprivation.

We are supporting the Canal & River Trust, Swim England and the Royal Life Saving Society UK's water safety messages. Our Black Country Water Safety Resource Hub is aimed at educators, community groups and families. It provides a range of lesson plans, practical activities and interactive videos to support the delivery of water safety education.

For more info on the hub, visit: https://www.activeblackcountry.co.uk/water-safety-programme/