Swim England has expressed ‘real concern’ after new statistics showed that the proportion of Year 7 pupils able to swim 25m unaided has fallen.

Whilst Sport England’s latest Active Lives Children and Young People survey for the 2023-24 academic year reports a strong recovery among younger primary-age children, the same cannot be said for those heading into secondary school.

The report states that only 70% of Year 7 pupils (aged 11-12) can swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25m.

That’s a stark contrast to 2023-24 Year 11 pupils as 77% of them could swim 25m unaided when they were in Year 7 (in 2017-18).

Andy Salmon, Swim England’s chief executive, said: “It’s encouraging that the Active Lives survey is reporting a continued increase in the number of primary school children who can swim 25m unaided since the pandemic which is testament to the hard work of school and lesson providers against a challenging backdrop, although there is clearly still work to be done to get back to pre-pandemic figures.

“However, the figures around competency levels among Year 7 children – and secondary school pupils in general - are a real concern and cannot be ignored.

“It’s clear from these figures that we continue to see the impact of the pandemic. Some children had no consistent swimming activity and access to lessons for two, or possibly, three years and we are continuing to see the result of that.”

Compared to the 2017-18 academic year, 6% more Year 7-11 children are unable to swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25m.

Salmon added: “There’s a very definite risk of us having a generation of children who do not learn to swim and that could have a knock-on effect as research shows that they may then be less likely when in adult life to introduce their own children to such a valuable life skill.

“This is an issue that needs addressing and today’s figures highlight once again the importance of top-up lessons for pupils who haven’t reached the key stage 2 requirements. Schools can use their PE premium funding for all costs associated with top up sessions, including transport.”

There’s more encouraging news at primary-age with the reporting showing a 4.6% increase in the number of Year 1-2 children (ages 5-7) able to swim 25 metres unaided. Whilst this is still 6.3% fewer children than pre pandemic, the difference was 14% at its peak.

Similarly, there has been an increase in the number of children in Year 3-6 (ages 7-11) that can swim 25 metres. Whilst 4.3% fewer can swim 25m unaided compared to 2017-18, this gap is down from 9.3% at the height of the pandemic.

An average of 60% of all children and young people in school Years 1-11 (ages 5-16) can swim 25m unaided, with proficiency increasing with age. This remains 4.7% or 368,000 fewer than in academic year 2017-18.

Salmon continued: “The sector continues to face challenges with more and more facilities either closing or under the threat of closure due to spiralling costs and schools struggling to secure pool time or cover travel costs to fulfil their national curriculum obligations.

“That means that too many children are not getting the access to the swimming lessons they are entitled to.

“Every child has the right to learn how to be safe in and around water. Swimming is a vital life skill, and we will continue to work with government, local authorities and stakeholders to improve primary school swimming provision.

“We remain committed to doing everything we can to support schools to reach the national curriculum swimming and water safety attainment requirements.”

Swim England offer schools a host of free resources in their School Swimming and Water Safety Charter.

What’s more, the Inclusion 2024 Programme, in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, provides all schools and lesson providers with a ground-breaking school swimming assessment tool to aid in improving delivery along with training and signposting to additional support.

To find out more about the School Swimming and Water Safety Swimming Charter, visit schools.swimming.org