At our school, we are committed to ensuring every child gains essential water confidence and foundational swimming skills. While no children have yet achieved the national swimming standard, we are proud to report that all of our Year 6 pupils have developed strong water confidence this academic year (2024-25).

Our structured swimming programme begins in Year 5, where pupils are introduced to key prerequisite skills such as entering and exiting the water safely, becoming comfortable in a community pool environment, supporting changing as independent as possible, and traveling confidently on school transport. During the summer term, these pupils then begin formal swimming lessons with qualified swim instructors.

This learning is built upon in Year 6, with continued lessons that focus on progressing the skills introduced in Year 5. As this structured two-year swimming model has only been introduced this academic year, it is too early to fully assess its long-term impact. However, we are already seeing encouraging signs of progress and confidence in the water, and we look forward to seeing future cohorts build on this strong foundation.