In the UK, swimming isn’t just another sport it’s a safety skill for life. Yet over the past few years, more children have reached secondary school without being able to swim 25 metres unaided. That trend carries real implications for water safety, confidence, and access to healthy recreation.
This guide unpacks what’s driving the decline in children’s swimming proficiency, why it matters, and what families can do right now to change the trajectory. We’ll also share practical steps, at home, at school, and in the community plus a decision framework to help you choose the right support for your child’s needs.
The picture in 2025: where we are now
Recent reporting connected to Sport England’s Active Lives Children and Young People Survey highlights a slide in capability among pupils entering secondary school: only around 70% of Year 7 pupils can swim at least 25 metres, down from earlier cohorts. That’s the minimum distance expected by the national curriculum.
The picture isn’t uniform. In a January 2025 Lords debate, the Government acknowledged stark inequalities: children from better-off backgrounds are over 80% likely to have met the requirement, while in poorer areas it drops to about one-third, and there are differences by ethnic background too.
Alongside capability concerns, safety signals are flashing: child drowning deaths in England have doubled over four years, according to RLSS UK’s 2024 update, with a particular focus on risks at home among under-fives.
Why children’s swimming proficiency has dropped
1) Pandemic disruption didn’t just pause learning, it broke continuity
Lockdowns halted school swimming for long stretches. For skills that depend on repetition—breath control, buoyancy, kicking rhythm—lost months translate into lost confidence. Many children restarted from scratch.
2) Pool access has tightened
The UK’s pool stock is ageing and expensive to run. Energy price shocks and local funding pressures accelerated closures or service reductions. New analysis from Swim England and ukactive shows the pace of closures has increased, and most lost water space disappeared since 2020.
3) Inconsistent provision in primary schools
Swimming is statutory in England’s PE curriculum, but delivery varies. Some schools struggle with transport, pool time, and trained staff. The issue is prominent enough to reach the House of Lords, where ministers have acknowledged both unequal access and unequal outcomes.
4) Cost pressures on families
Even when schools provide lessons, families may be asked to contribute to transport or extra sessions. Rising costs can mean fewer top-ups outside school precisely when extra practice would help.
5) Inequalities compound the gap
Geography, income, and culture all play a role. In deprived areas or places where pools closed, opportunities diminish; where parents didn’t learn to swim, children often start later. These overlapping factors show up in the attainment gap noted in Parliament.
Why this matters: from safety to confidence to opportunity
- Safety: Early, regular exposure builds water sense how to float, recover, and self-rescue. RLSS UK’s updates underline why this matters: risks increase sharply when children lack capability and supervision.
- Confidence and inclusion: Confident swimmers join in at pool parties, beach days, and school trips. Non-swimmers opt out and miss memories.
- Health and wellbeing: Swimming improves fitness and coordination and is gentle on growing joints. It’s also a proven stress reliever habits formed young often stick.
- Gateway skill: Swimming unlocks safe enjoyment of lakes, rivers, and the sea plus sports like water polo, surfing, diving, and triathlon.
What parents can do, practical actions
1) Top up school lessons with targeted sessions
School lessons are a great foundation, but many children need extra time in the water to cement skills. Private lessons suit kids who are anxious, need 1-to-1 attention, or plateaued in groups. Small group lessons add motivation and turn-taking, often at a lower cost per session.
When you’re ready, book a class with Swim Design Space and we’ll guide you to the right format and level.
2) Make unpressured water time part of the week
A relaxed family swim can do wonders for breathing and body position. Keep it playful. Practise short floats, gentle kicks on the wall, and blowing bubbles, mini wins, not marathons.
3) Equip for comfort and progress
Right-fit goggles and a cap remove two common barriers, sore eyes and hair in the face ,so children focus on body position and breaths. Explore our kids’ goggles, training fins, and bright caps.
4) Track progress in micro-steps
Swap “can’t swim” vs “can swim” for small skill ladders: relaxed face in water → five calm bubble exhales → five kicks with a float → streamline push-offs → five-metre unaided swim → 10m → 25m.
5) Advocate through school and community
Ask your school how many sessions each year group gets, how transport works, and whether extra help’s available. If pools are at risk locally, add your voice, letters, petitions, council consultations matter when facilities face closure.
How children learn best: a quick tour by stage
Early confidence (4–6)
- Games that normalise face-in-water (counting bubbles, “treasure” pickups)
- Short sessions, frequent praise
- Emphasis: floating and gliding, buoyancy before distance
Foundation skills (6–8)
- Kick patterns with floats; introduce basic arm recovery
- Breath timing: exhale in water, inhale above
- Emphasis: coordination over speed
Building distance (8–10)
- Streamline push-offs, bilateral breathing, simple sets (e.g., 4×10m)
- Start breaststroke timing (kick–glide rhythm)
- Emphasis: relaxed, repeatable technique
Consolidation (10–12)
- 25m targets with tidy form, smooth turns, controlled breathing
- Mix strokes to avoid fatigue and build all-round confidence
Common sticking points (and how to fix them)
- Anxiety at the pool edge → Sit-in entries, breath games; avoid “perform now” pressure
- Head-up swimming → Star floats and streamline glides; cue “look down, long neck”
- Short, panicked breaths → Five slow bubble exhales + one calm inhale; add gentle kicks
- Scissoring kick → Kick on side with a float; short fins (temporarily) to reinforce straight-line propulsion
- Arms everywhere → “Finger-tips first” entry, “zipper elbow” recovery
What a good lesson block looks like
- Assessment & goals (mini ladder to 25m)
- Breath & buoyancy foundation
- Kick mechanics (wall drills + 5–10m reps)
- Arm patterning (drills, then short swims)
- Putting it together (10–15m relaxed swims)
- Distance build (to 25m with tidy form)
- Confidence week (fun sets, relay, badges)
- Review & next steps (celebrate progress)
For a tailored plan, book a class and we’ll meet your child exactly where they are.
The bigger picture: facilities, funding, and policy
The learning environment matters. When communities lose accessible pools, children lose chances to practise. Sector analyses show a growing share of water space has vanished since 2020, driven by financial pressures, ageing stock, and high operating costs. That reality lands hardest on families without the means to travel further.
At a national level, activity participation has been broadly stable, but capability in swimming depends on specific exposure to water, not general PE. Ring-fenced school time, transport solutions, and targeted support in high-need areas will help reverse the trend.
Decision framework: choosing the right support
| Situation | Best next step | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Child is nervous or had a wobble | 1-to-1 private lesson + short family swim | Rebuilds trust; quick feedback; low-pressure practice |
| Child is bored in large groups | Small group (max 4–6) | More turns, peer energy, still plenty of attention |
| Technique is messy at 10–15m | Two focused private sessions | Rapid form correction; visible gains |
| Budget is tight but momentum is key | Weekly group + fortnightly family swim | Consistent exposure without high costs |
| Transport is tricky | Weekend block booking near home | Reduces friction → better attendance |
When gear removes friction, sort it first: kids’ goggles, caps, and training aids.
FAQs
How many lessons will it take for my child to swim 25m?
It varies by starting confidence and attendance. Many beginners reach 10m within 6–8 sessions and 25m within 12–20, provided they practise little-and-often.
Is it okay to use armbands or noodles?
As stepping stones, yes especially for confidence. Aim to phase out floats progressively as breath control and body position improve.
What age is “too late” to learn?
There isn’t one. Plenty of children start later and catch up quickly once they’re comfortable and consistent.
Do we need private lessons?
Not always. Small groups can be ideal for motivation and turn-taking. Choose private if anxiety or a specific technique issue is holding things back.
My child hates putting their face in the water, what now?
Begin with shallow acclimatisation and play: count five bubble blows, then celebrate. Gradually extend to gentle floats and short glides.
If you’re ready to nudge progress forward, book a class and we’ll meet your child exactly where they are. Need comfort-first kit? Explore our shop.