Swimming saves lives, yet a quarter of all primary school leavers can’t do it – here’s how to help change that

One in four children in England leave primary school unable to swim. This figure could become six in 10 by 2025 without any intervention (Picture: Speedo) 

There’s a reason why so many people love swimming. Not only is it great exercise but it gives a full body workout, it’s a mood booster and can improve sleep. Whether it’s being able to zone out and be free from the digital world or splashing about with pals, everyone should be able to experience the joy of swimming.

But this isn’t the case as one in four children in England (that’s over one million) leave primary school unable to swim the national curriculum recommended distance of 25 metres – a figure that could rise to six in 10 by 2025 without any intervention.

Children from ethnic minorities or socially disadvantaged backgrounds are the worst affected and according to the World Health Organisation are at most risk of drowning. The latest figures from Sport England reveal that 80 per cent of Black children and 78 per cent of Asian children can not swim.

Compare this figure to the 86 per cent of children from affluent families who can swim unaided by the time they leave school. This drops to just 42 per cent for the least affluent.

These numbers are particularly alarming as swimming is a life-saving skill. ​​Urgent action is needed to address the imbalance.

Speedo Swim United

Speedo Swim United’s goal is for all children leaving primary school to be able to swim, or at least to be able to self-rescue (Picture: Speedo) 

To kickstart the change needed and tackle these issues, swimwear brand Speedo launched the Swim United campaign.

Speedo Swim United brings together organisations including Black Swimming Association and Better, the UK’s largest provider of lessons. It is also backed by athletes Adam Peaty, Ellie Simmonds and Michael Gunning to help tackle barriers that are stopping children from learning to swim from cultural, economic, or systematic factors to a simple lack of opportunities to learn.

The goal is for all children leaving primary school to be able to swim, or at least to be able to self-rescue (to stay safe if they were to get into trouble and call for help) by 2025.

Speedo is calling on the public, swimmers, coaches, teachers as well as other brands and organisations to pledge their support via their Change.org petition. 

By signing the petition, you will help support Speedo and the collective of organisations and partners it is working with to approach the UK Government to intervene and make the asks a reality – a move that will surely save lives.  

Peaty, a three times Gold medal winner with Team GB, said: ‘If kids aren’t being given the access to swimming lessons at school then they could potentially be left behind. This isn’t just about sport or meeting curriculum requirements, it’s about physical and mental health and, most importantly, saving lives and safeguarding our children. 

‘We need the Government to support campaigns and initiatives such as Speedo Swim United if we are to give ourselves the best chance of success in the future.’

As we celebrate World Swimming Day on October 22, there are many who are unable to mark it as the barriers that keep many children out of the water are also being compounded by recent world developments such as Coronavirus and the cost of living crisis.

During lockdown, many pools and leisure centres were forced to shut down for long periods and lessons were cancelled. Adding to this, it’s estimated that more than half a million children from ethnic minorities missed out on swimming during the pandemic.

Now the energy crisis looms as well as a shortage of swimming teachers putting pressure on schools and local pools while many families are having to cut back on spending due to the cost of living.

Adam Peaty and Ellie Simmonds and Michael Gunning have joined Speedo Swim United (Picture: Speedo)

Making a splash

To inspire children to get into the pool, Speedo Swim United has visited over 30 schools across the London boroughs of Lewisham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Lambeth, giving activity packs to 2,500 children. 

Adding to this, Speedo is also funding two-week intensive swim lessons for more than 1200 seven to 12-year-olds across London who otherwise might not have learned to swim.

Following the successful pilot programme in London, it hopes to extend this across the UK as well as around the world, with Speedo launching pilot schemes in countries such as South Africa and the US. 

Five-time Paralympic gold medallist and Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Simmons believes that children having access to free swimming lessons whether it’s through school or through initiatives like Speedo Swim United is vital, especially when family budgets are so stretched. 

‘One of the biggest barriers is undoubtedly the associated costs for many families and the easiest way to ensure they have access to the water is through school swimming lessons, which are vitally important for so many youngsters,’ Ellie said.

‘It is crucial we do all we can to protect these lessons. But it’s also important to understand that there are more considerations that vary by community, that influence their ability to learn.’

It’s estimated that more than half a million children from ethnic minorities missed out on swimming during the pandemic. (Picture: Speedo)

Swimming for all

Speedo Swim United is also working to bring down the cultural and systemic barriers that stop kids from getting into the pool.

Just one per cent of competitive swimmers are Black or mixed race, meaning some children are left feeling that the sport isn’t for them.

Breaking the stereotype that Black people don’t swim, Gunning realises the power of representation to change this.

‘Growing up as a mixed-race boy, I didn’t have a swimming hero who I felt I could truly relate to, and it can feel like a lonely place at the top sometimes. I had to overcome many barriers to become a professional athlete in the sport that I love, and my swimming journey hasn’t been an easy one,’ Gunning said.

‘The majority of children who can’t swim are from ethnic minority communities and this statistic really needs to change. Swim United is just the beginning and I am wholeheartedly behind driving this change and making a positive impact to the world of sport,’ he continued.

Earlier this year Speedo launched a series of short films, Swim Stories, to illustrate how people from all backgrounds should feel welcome in the pool.

They tell the stories of Remi, Niran and Cathy who aren’t typically represented in the swimming community.

How you can help

The Speedo Swim United petition, supported by Swim England, Black Swimming Association and Active Black Country, is fast approaching 50,000 signatures and with your support, the petition could exceed 100,000 signatures to be considered for debate in Parliament.

The three key asks of the Government to consider are:

Ring-fence funding provided to schools for swimming lessons and include this as part of Ofsted inspections.Provide urgent support for swimming pool operators to remain open amid rising energy costs and enable them to increase pool time for swimming lessons and train new teachers.Invest in community engagement to reach the community groups who may face cultural and systemic barriers to swimming.

You can sign the Speedo Swim United petition here.

MORE : How Olympic swimmer Alice Dearing is making swimming accessible for all

As we celebrate World Swimming Day on October 22, there are many who are unable to mark it as the barriers that keep many children out of the water are being compounded by recent world developments such as Coronavirus and the cost of living crisis.