Parents concern over the quality of school swimming
· Despite
an increase in the number of pupils leaving primary school able to swim
the minimum 25 metres unaided (as recommended in the national
curriculum) parents are unaware of the required standard and in many
cases their own child’s ability, due to a lack of assessment information
· A
new report from the ASA shows that 40% of parents are not being
informed of their child’s swimming ability, with the amount of time
dedicated to school swimming neither known nor measured by school
inspection and accountability body Ofsted
· With
45% of children aged 7-11 years old (primary school aged) unable to
swim a length unaided, and with one in 14 schools (over 1,300) offering
no swimming provision at Key Stage 2, the ASA is calling for a continued
spotlight on swimming in the curriculum in tandem with a far greater
level of assessment
· The
ASA recommends that schools allocate at least 25 hours of study time a
year per child to swimming, however the report shows that 55% of schools
are not meeting these guidelines
· Report
has recently been presented to politicians and government officials at
an All Party Reception in Whitehall; the national governing body for
swimming in England awaits a response
· Calls
for every primary school in England to sign up to the ASA School
Swimming Charter to pledge to prioritise the only sport that saves lives
As
the new curriculum beds in to primary schools across England, questions
are being asked of school inspection body Ofsted as it is revealed that
the standard and regularity of swimming is overlooked in school
assessments.
This
lack of accountability is worrying for two fifths of parents who have
not been informed of their child’s swimming ability, and is particularly
concerning with 45% of 7-11 year olds (primary school aged) unable to
swim 25 metres unaided.
That’s
according to a new report released today by the ASA, which recommends
that schools should be allocating at least 25 hours of study time a year
per child for curriculum swimming.
However,
the report, which surveyed primary schools across England, shows that
less than half of all schools offer that level of swimming instruction,
while one in 14 schools (over 1,300) offer no swimming provision
at Key Stage 2. This is despite a 40% increase in fatalities amongst all
young people in the water in the last year.
If
primary schools can commit to adopting the recommended approach, the
ASA estimate that approximately 200,000 additional children would leave
primary school being able to swim.
Which
is why they have today launched the School Swimming Charter, offering
primary schools support, training and guidance on swimming to further
increase the impact of school swimming provision in England.
While
much work still needs to be done, the ASA’s continuing push for more
resources and focus on school swimming has led to positive progress in
the last 12 months in the number of children now leaving school able to
swim 25 metres unaided.
Whilst
across the country, 2013 saw 51% of children aged 7-11 year olds being
unable to swim 25 metres, this year that figure has fallen to 45%.
Additionally,
the average number of lessons made available in a school year has
increased from 16 last year to 18 this year. The amount of time spent
in the water is also on the increase.
ASA
is keen for momentum to continue and is pushing for the issue to become
part of political parties’ education agendas ahead of next year’s
general election.
