Incredibly for an Island Nation, surrounded by water, 16% of us can’t swim! That 16% doesn’t account for the very high numbers who are weak swimmers and who would quickly get into difficulties when out of their depth in the sea, a pool, a lake or a river. Every summer we hear tragic tales of avoidable drownings which bring so much sorrow to all those involved. With just a few lessons, your child can learn to swim, be confident in the water, understand the dangers and best of all have a huge amount of fun.

Swimming and water safety/survival are compulsory parts of PE curriculum between Key Stages One and Two. This is what you should expect your child to learn at school during each Key Stage. This is a useful guide to what can be expected from a child at a particular age.

Key Stage One (5-7 years old)
If a school teaches swimming at this stage, pupils should be taught to:

move in water – e.g. jump, walk hop and spin using swimming aids and supports.

float and move without swimming aids.

propel themselves in water using different aids, arm and leg actions, and basic strokes.

Key Stage Two (7-11 years old)

pace themselves in floating and swimming challenges related to speed, distance and person survival.

swim unaided for a sustained period over at least 25 metres.

use recognised arm and leg actions, lying on their front and back.

use a range of recognised strokes and personal survival skills.

Key Stage Three (11-14 years old)

set and meet personal and group targets in swimming events.

use a range of recognised strokes, techniques and personal survival skills with technical proficiency.

Key Stage Four (15-16 years old)

meet challenges in specific swimming events and water-based activities.

use advanced techniques and skills with precision, power, speed or stamina with technical proficiency.

Although the National Curriculum prescribes swimming lessons for all children; in reality this may amount to a very short amount of time actually in the water and there is certainly no guarantee that your child will be taught to swim. The duty really is with you – the parent to ensure that your child learns to swim.

When should my child learn to swim?
Rather than waiting for your child to reach school age and be influenced by peer pressure, why not take your baby swimming as soon as they have had all their injections? Contact with water encourages the desire to swim and reduces the chances of a child developing a fear of water. Just remember that:

Babies lose heat more quickly than adults so the pool temperature should not be too cold and the baby should not remain in the pool too long. A baby wetsuit will help your baby retain body heat for longer.

Swimming pools use chemicals to sterilise the water, a baby's skin is more delicate than an adults and the chemicals may have an adverse effect.

Although the chlorine or ozone used in pools makes the likelihood of transmitting infections unlikely, it is a good idea to wait until a baby has completed the standard course of three injections against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, plus the oral polio vaccine.

Increase your child’s water confidence from an early age:
Even if you, the parent, don’t like swimming or being in the water, try really hard to overcome these fears in front of your children. You don’t have to stand out of your depth with a baby or toddler nor do you have to suddenly start performing triple somersaults on a Saturday morning with your seven year old – you just have to show them that swimming is fun and is an important life skill.

Play with your baby in the bath. Gently splash their face to get them used to the sensation of the water.

Get your child to blow bubbles on to the surface of the water. When they are happy with this, encourage them to put their face in.

Praise them when they do things right and make swimming a family event.

A good pair of goggles is crucial to keep salt and chlorine out of kids’ eyes and so they can see where they are going.

Armbands or a buoyancy vest or buoyancy suit will also give your nervous child the extra confidence they may need.

Play swimming and diving games with your children in a pool – they will love it.

Swimming is one of the best all-round forms of exercise

You don’t need to spend lots of money on expensive equipment or kit.

It’s one of the few sports that uses and tones all of the important muscle groups.

Swimming helps flexibility and improves co-ordination.

It’s good for people with injuries, arthritis or back problems as the water supports the body.

There’s a low risk of injury.

It boosts the cardiovascular system, promoting a healthy heart and lungs, and helps overall endurance.

It’s low impact, so is ideal exercise for pregnant women.

Swimming lessons should be fun not scary or exhausting. You may find that your local leisure centre runs swimming courses during school holidays as well as an after-school club or at the weekend. You can find a course run by a swimming teacher accredited by the Swimming Teachers Association (STA) in your area.

Be safe – learn to swim.