Let’s all pool together and swim

A BID to get more school children to take the plunge and learn to swim will be launched today.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds wants to boost youngsters’ swimming skills by getting more private schools to share their facilities with those in the state sector.

The move comes amid concern that although swimming is compulsory in the national curriculum, almost half of primary school pupils are unable to swim the required 25 metres by the age of 11. Mr Hinds acknowledged that many private schools already share their pools but he called for more to follow suit, saying: ‘As a parent I want my children to enjoy swimming as part of an active lifestyle, and as Education Secretary I want to make sure our children grow up safe and water-confident.

‘That’s why I wanted to partner with the Independent Schools Council to get more private schools to offer their pools, teachers or training to their neighbouring state schools.’

ISC chairman Barnaby Lenon welcomed the initiative, saying: ‘Many of those independent schools that have pools are already involved in swimming partnerships with other schools and the wider community.

‘The recent sporting success the country has enjoyed in terms of both swimming and triathlon shows what can be achieved if people learn to swim well at a young age.’