00:00Children at primary schools are less likely to leave school able to swim 25 metres, new
00:07research suggests.
00:08In 2024-25, 72% of Year 6 pupils were able to meet the target on average, but that fell
00:17to 55% in schools with the highest proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals.
00:23The national curriculum says children should learn a range of strokes and self-rescue before
00:29leaving primary school.
00:30The Royal Life Saving Society says swimming and water safety skills are vital, but access
00:36to pools and lesson time can be barriers.
00:40Department for Education says it knows about the gap and it needs to change.
