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children cannot swim

Record rate of secondary school children cannot swim

A record rate of secondary school children cannot swim competently, according to recent data from Sport England.

The 2023-24 Active Lives Children and Young People survey, released in December, has found the percentage of secondary school children who are able to swim 25 metres unaided is at an all-time low. 

Secondary school refers to Years Seven to 11, which encompasses 11 year olds to 16 year olds. 

In these age groups, 6% fewer can swim 25m unaided compared to academic year 2017-18 and it is the only school age bracket which has not seen a recovery since covid. 

Individuality Swimming and Fitness director Gerard Maguire completed a study with Bournemouth University, revealing that 41% of the kids in that area could not swim competently. 

In this bulletin, the South West Londoner spoke to Maguire and Comfort Swim School owner Adam Comfort.

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