Every primary school has to offer swimming to pupils at some point in time as it’s part of the PE national curriculum. This can be at any point though and due to costs, may only be for a two week block out of the whole time they are at primary school.
My school takes pupils in KS2 (years 3-6) swimming for two weeks out of every year so they have 8 weeks swimming in primary school in 4 years. In comparison, my children’s primary school only goes for two weeks in year 3 and that is it. My schools offer is better than most schools but unfortunately, swimming just in school time is not enough to learn for the majority of pupils. This needs to be done outside of school as well which is obviously very expensive for families.
Each years, primary schools have to report (on the school website by the end of July as part of the terms of receiving the PE Premium money from the government) on what percentage of their year 6 cohort can swim 25m confidently as it’s the aim that 100% can achieve that. It also has to be reported on what percentage can swim different strokes and can use life saving techniques that they are taught.
I’m quite a confident swimmer, swam from a young age and feel confident enough in the sea, rivers or pools. I had to do a lifeguard qualification prior to training as a teacher so have learnt lots over the years. My children however are not the most confident despite taking them swimming and they attended lessons for years.