Chamber and committees

Foysol Choudhury MSP submission of 4 November 2021

PE1891/C – Make Swimming Lessons a statutory requirement in the primary school curriculum

I had hoped to attend the Committee meeting on 3rd November in person, but at short notice was unable to attend. I therefore submit my comments in writing, in support of further consideration of the issues raised in this Petition. 

This Petition has been lodged by a constituent of mine, Lewis Condy.   

Lewis lives in West Lothian and is studying at Stirling University.

In his reply to the Scottish Government’s submission, my constituent makes the case well for a more consistent approach to ensuring all children are able to swim by the time they leave primary school.

The closures and restrictions on access to leisure facilities during the last 18 months as a result of COVID19, have already had a negative impact on children’s health. 

A holistic approach to the education of our children is so important to maintain.

Lewis emphasises the need for an equality of access to swimming lessons, rather than leaving it in the hands of each local authority or each school.  He explains with his knowledge and personal experience, the benefits of swimming.

I am strongly supportive of an approach which would make swimming lessons available to every child, not only to those whose parents could afford to pay.   

Another aspect of this is highlighted by a pre-COVID survey carried out by Sport England showed that a lower proportion of Black and ethnic minority children than white children, swam regularly.   

I am not aware of the figures for Scotland but this could usefully be followed up, as universal access to swimming lessons across all primary schools could help to address any such inequalities.

Whilst I understand the points in the Scottish Government’s response with regard to there being no mandatory curriculum in Scotland, there are levers open to government to intervene, as the Government reiterates its commitment to reducing water safety accidents and to increasing the numbers of children who can swim.

it is also clear from the National Learn to Swim Framework and the current Scottish Swimming Corporate Plan (2015-21) that there is an aspiration I’m sure we all share too –

I am reading from the Corporate Plan: 

‘Swimming is the sport for all – the sport for life. Swimming brings significant health and well-being benefits, enabling us to lead longer, happier, healthier lives. These benefits can be realised on a national level if we start by ensuring that every child can swim.’

I encourage the Committee members to seek some further information and responses from different organisations as to the progress being made in that objective ‘to ensure that every child can swim’ 

That is the goal of this Petition, on which the petitioner and signatories seek progress as a matter of urgency.

As our colleagues in SPiCE point out, it has not been possible to gather any detailed information on which Local authorities provide swimming lessons in their primary schools. 

I did also lodge a written question on this matter and the information is not held centrally.

This makes it very difficult to assess the progress that is actually being made. 

The information so far collected from local authorities does not reassure me nor will it reassure Lewis Condy and the other petitioners. 

I am sure that Committee members will have their own suggestions, but I had wondered if it is possible to contact each local authority seeking more detailed information about current provision, to seek to identify trends, and any equality impact assessments of the current approach.

Scottish Swimming may have information to add to the Committee’s discussion, and also the teaching unions, working in the primary school sector.

I look forward to seeing the issues raised by this Petition receive thorough examination.