Over quarter of children leave primary school unable to swim 25 metres
BBC research reveals that more than a quarter of children in England cannot swim 25 metres by the end of primary school, raising concerns about water safety education.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
More than a quarter of children in England leave primary school unable to swim 25 metres, according to new figures obtained by the BBC. The research also found that around one in three cannot tread water or float. The findings have raised concerns about water safety education, particularly as hot weather increases the risk of drownings.
The figures show stark inequalities. In schools where pupils receive free school meals, the proportion unable to swim 25 metres rises to 55%. Experts point to a wider pattern: children from less affluent families are twice as likely to drown as those from the most affluent families. Over the past six years, 71% of children who drowned had been in the care system at some point, and black children are three times as likely to drown as white children.
There is no national minimum number of swimming lessons in England, and more than a third of state primary schools provide fewer than 10 lessons a year. In contrast, the Welsh government is introducing a minimum of 20 swimming and water safety lessons a year for pupils in years four and five. In Plymouth, all state primary school children receive 15 lessons a year, but school lessons alone are often not enough. Parents are urged to prioritise swimming as a vital life skill, though for some families paying for extra lessons is not an option.
The dangers of open water were brought into focus by two recent tragedies. Junior Slater, 12, died after getting into difficulty in the River Ribble in May. His family has spoken publicly for the first time, sharing the Float to Live campaign message. Warning signs have now been installed at the spot where he and his friends entered the water. In another case, 16-year-old Mohamed Sekar drowned in a lake in South Yorkshire during the May heatwave. His mother said he was able to swim, but the water depth suddenly dropped. She wants more people to understand how dangerous open water can be. Mohamed was one of at least 15 people who drowned during that heatwave.
The new research and these personal stories underline the need for better water safety education and greater awareness of the risks posed by open water.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC News | BBC One | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71% of children who drowned in the last six years had been in the care system at some point. | · | · | ||
| Around one in three children cannot tread water or float. | · | · | ||
| From September, the Welsh government will introduce a minimum of 20 swimming and water safety lessons per year for Year 4 and 5 pupils. | · | · | ||
| In England, there is no national minimum number of school swimming lessons, and more than a third of state primary schools provide fewer than 10 lessons a year. | · | · | ||
| In schools where pupils receive free school meals, 55% cannot swim 25 metres. | · | · | ||
| More than 25% of children leaving primary school in England cannot swim 25 metres. | · | · | ||
| At least 15 people drowned during a heatwave in May, including Mohamed. | · | · | · | |
| Cady Cissé wants more people to understand how dangerous open water can be. | · | · | · | |
| In schools with free school meals, 55% of children can swim 25 metres. | · | · | · | |
| Junior Slater, aged 12, died in the River Ribble after slipping from rocks; he was unable to swim. | · | · | · | |
| Junior Slater's family are promoting the Float to Live water safety campaign. | · | · | · | |
| Mohamed could swim, but drowned where the water depth suddenly dropped. | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Focused on the BBC research findings, highlighting the scale of the problem and the inequalities in swimming ability. It also reported on the lack of a national minimum in England and the Welsh government's new requirement, using Plymouth as a positive example. The tone was factual and concerned, with no specific drowning case.
- “I just think it's a really important kind of skill to learn for life, really.”
- “We know that there's an inequality in drowning, so if you're from a family of lower affluence, you're twice as likely to drown as those from the most affluent families.”
- “In England, there's no national minimum number of school swimming lessons, but more than a third of state primary schools provide fewer than 10 lessons a year.”
Essentially the same report as BBC ONE West, with identical content and quotes. The channel presented the research without additional local context, and moved on to other news afterwards. The tone was straightforward and informative.
- “And especially here with the lessons we kind of, you know, they teach them to turn around, grab onto the wall.”
- “We'd really like to see those inequalities addressed and the best place to do that is through a universal offer in the education system.”
Took a human-interest approach, focusing on the death of 12-year-old Junior Slater and his family's campaign for water safety. The channel did not mention the BBC research, instead using the tragedy to highlight the dangers of open water and the Float to Live message. The tone was emotional and personal.
- “Some days you wake up and you feel like it's not even real.”
- “Tilt your head back with your ears submerged. Relax and try to breathe normally.”
- “You're not the only family in this position, it's just been a terrible summer with this hot weather and water deaths.”
Focused on the drowning of 16-year-old Mohamed Sekar, using his mother's emotional interview to call for improved safety at open water sites. The channel did not reference the BBC research, instead highlighting the specific circumstances of the tragedy and the broader risk during heatwaves. The tone was sombre and urgent.
- “I cry every day. I miss him every day.”
- “You don't trust that lake.”
- “Mohamed was one of at least 15 people who drowned during the heatwave in May.”
Broadcast Timeline
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