Free Swimming Lessons Pledge by Plaid Cymru

Plaid Cymru's Plan for Free Swimming Lessons in Welsh Primary Schools

Plaid Cymru has introduced a bold policy that aims to ensure all primary school children in Wales receive free swimming lessons if the party wins the next Senedd election. This initiative is designed to address concerns about water safety and physical health among young people in the country.

The proposed policy would provide 20 "swimming and water safety" lessons for students in years four and five, which corresponds to ages around 8 to 10 years old. The cost of this program is estimated at £4.4 million annually. The goal is to equip every child with essential skills to stay safe in and around water, promoting both health and confidence.

Swim Wales, the national governing body for swimming in Wales, highlights a significant challenge: fewer than 35% of children aged seven to 11 are able to swim 25 meters unaided. Despite the importance of swimming as a life skill, opportunities vary widely across different schools and local councils. Parents are expected to have their children attend school swimming at some point during primary school, but the exact availability depends on individual circumstances.

In 2023, Fergus Feeney, chief executive of Swim Wales, testified before a Senedd committee. He noted that only 50% of the country’s over 1,600 primary schools participated in swimming programs. He warned that without intervention, swimming could become an activity reserved for a narrow demographic—specifically, white middle-class children.

Plaid Cymru argues that funding limitations prevent schools from offering adequate swimming programs. To address this, the party plans to allocate specific resources for school swimming lessons. Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru’s culture, media, and leisure spokeswoman, emphasized that the policy is “fully-costed” and will teach every child the necessary skills to enjoy time in and by the water safely.

Fychan also linked the initiative to broader public health goals. She stated that encouraging children to learn to swim would promote healthier lifestyles, aligning with the party’s vision for a transformative agenda in public health.

The National Water Safety Forum reported 18 water-related deaths in Wales in 2024, with the accidental drowning rate nearly double that of the UK as a whole. Fychan stressed that teaching children to swim and be safe in water is not a luxury but a necessity.

Fergus Feeney welcomed the policy, warning that without urgent action, tens of thousands of Welsh children each year could leave primary school without the ability to stay safe in or around water. He highlighted the potential of a universal school swimming program to offer equal opportunities for children from all backgrounds to develop life skills and lifelong physical activity.

Earlier this year, the Senedd’s culture committee urged the government to develop a school swimming strategy to ensure that children leaving primary school can swim. In response, Minister for Culture Jack Sargeant acknowledged the recommendation’s intent but expressed concerns about the financial implications for schools amid current economic challenges. He noted that the Curriculum for Wales includes physical activities, including those in water, which schools must consider.

Data shows that only 16% of children in Cardiff can swim, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. The call to tackle low swimming ability continues to gain attention, with warnings that without action, certain groups may remain excluded from learning to swim.