By Bill Heaney
A Scottish Labour government would give every P5 child in Scotland the chance to learn to swim, the party has announced today.
Ahead of Scottish Labour’s annual conference, Sports spokesperson Neil Bibby has unveiled a “Chance to Swim” plan which will ensure every child gets the chance to learn how to swim.
The Scottish Government was recently forced to admit that it has no idea how many Scottish pupils can’t swim.
However, Scottish Swimming estimates that 25 to 30 per cent of children are unable to swim before they leave primary school, with previous estimates going as high as 40 per cent of children.
Children in more deprived areas are less likely to be able to swim, with many facing barriers around access to pools and lessons costs.
The cost of kids’ swimming lessons has soared in recent years, with analysis by the Herald suggesting prices have jumped by 29 per cent since the pandemic.
The amount local authorities spend on school swimming varies drastically, leaving children subject to an unfair postcode lottery.
Scottish Labour has pledged to fund a scheme that would ensure all P5 pupils get the chance to learn basic swimming and water safety skills.
The proposals, based on those designed by Scottish Swimming, involve a partnership between government, Scottish Swimming and Local Authorities to implement a new framework guaranteeing this access.
As part of their plans, Scottish Labour has also pledged to undertake a national audit of swimming provision and ensure more comprehensive data will be collected on how many children can swim.
Scottish Labour has said that this is just one step towards building a Scotland where “no child is held back by their background”.
Scottish Labour Sports spokesperson Neil Bibby, left, said “Every child deserves the chance to learn to swim and enjoy the many benefits it can provide.
“It is a scandal that so many Scottish pupils are leaving primary school unable to swim – but it doesn’t have to be this way.
“A Scottish Labour government would work in partnership with Local Government and Scottish Swimming to deliver on its Chance to Swim plan and ensure that every P5 child in Scotland gets the chance to learn these important skills.
“Not only will it give every young Scot the chance to try a sport they might come to love, but it will provide huge health and safety benefits.
“No child’s talent and potential should be held back by postcode lotteries or economic inequalities.
“Ensuring every child gets the chance to learn to swim is just one of the ways Scottish Labour will deliver a new direction for Scotland and build a country where no child is held back by their background.”
Olympic athlete and Commonwealth medallist Katie Shanahan said “Learning to swim is a vital skill that saves lives. School swimming ensures that every child has the chance to swim and learn essential water safety and basic swimming skills to start them on this journey.
“School swimming also ensures fair and equal opportunities for children to learn to swim as not everyone can afford swimming lessons. Every child deserves the chance to swim to be safer and confident in and around water.”
On January 16, in response to a question from Neil Bibby, Minister for Sport Maree Todd said “we are unable to provide an estimate of the number of pupils who leave school unable to swim”.
Scottish Swimming estimates around 25-30% of children are unable to swim by the time they leave primary school:
Other estimates have been as high as 40 per cent: https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/primary/free-swimming-lessons-essential-all-primary-schools-scotland
Analysis of data obtained by The Herald through Freedom of Information requests and SportScotland’s annual review of local authority charges for sporting events found that the cost of juvenile swimming lessons had jumped from £4.58 to £5.90, a 29% increase: https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24866005.can-scotland-afford-swim-rising-costs-raise-health-concerns/
The proposals involve a partnership approach between the Scottish Government, Local Authorities, Scottish Swimming and other key stakeholders to secure agreement that each Council will:
- Deliver the new National Primary School Swimming Framework
- Create a sustainable costed School Swimming delivery plan
- Complete annual monitoring and reporting
Scottish Swimming has piloted a National Primary School Swimming Framework in nine Local Authorities: https://scottishswimming.com/news/new-schools-framework-launched-to-transform-water-safety/
Top of page picture: Labour Cllrs Martin Rooney, David McBride and Michelle McGinty with local children being taught to swim in West Dunbartonshire.