Which primary schools offer swimming lessons?

Swimming and water safety lessons have been a statutory element of the national curriculum for physical education since 1994 – but which primary schools in Rochdale offer mandatory swimming lessons?

The national curriculum mandates that ‘pupils should be able to swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively, and perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.’ 

However, research by Swim England Schools found 48% of primary school children are unable to swim the national curriculum requirement and less than half of schools work towards all three national curriculum outcomes for swimming and water safety.

According to a snap poll by Tes, formerly known as the Times Educational Supplement, a publication aimed at school teachers, high costs and time pressures were cited as obstacles in schools providing swimming lessons. 

We asked all primary schools in the borough if they provided swimming lessons, where lessons are carried out, how many lessons do the children have, and if the school charges for lessons or transport. 

Of the schools that we asked, here’s what some of them said: 

All Saints’ C of E 

“We provide swimming lessons at Rochdale swimming baths for Year 4 children. They go every Friday morning and we don’t charge.”

Belfield

“Children at Belfield have a one-hour lesson each week for 17 weeks at Rochdale swimming baths. We do not charge for lessons or transport costs.”

Boarshaw

“Boarshaw Primary provide swimming lessons for our Year 4 classes. They receive 17 weeks of lessons organised by Link for Life. The lessons take place in one of Rochdale Council's maintained swimming pools. We do not charge parents for any costs associated with swimming.”

Bowlee Park Community

“The Year 4 children have one lesson per week for the school year at Middleton Arena. We don’t charge the children.”

Caldershaw

“All children in Year 4 have swimming lessons at Heywood swimming pool organised by Link4Life.
They have them each week and we do not charge. This happens each year.”

Heybrook

“We provide lessons for a whole term at Rochdale Leisure centre. There are no charges.”

Holy Trinity C of E

“Swimming is a central part of our curriculum and sporting provision-it is an essential lifeskill that no one should be deprived of. It links to all our trip provision from Outwardbound to a nine-day visit to Spain –La Fosca (They have to be able to swim well).

“The children have the following provision of up to four years’ swimming: Year 3 all year, Year 4 all year with a nominal £1 charge, Year 5 and 6 swimming team development and training – again a nominal cost of £1 is asked for. To take a class swimming for a full year once a week roughly costs £4,000.

“The above is provided by Calderdale Services at Todmorden Pool. They let Holy Trinity school hire two lanes to practise in their down time therefore generating income for the pool and the council.

“Any children who do not meet the minimum curricular requirements are catered for until they do meet them. All children have water safety lessons and provision. The more able swimmers also have proper lifesaving technique lessons.

“Last year and this year, our year 6 team successfully competed at the ESSA National Swimming Competition in Sheffield.

“All year 6 children are instructed in CPR/FirstAid and other Year 5 and 6 children undertake RLSS Lifesupport 1 and 3 awards which involve CPR, First Aid and the use of a defibrillator.”

Lowerplace

“We provide 17 30-minute lessons at Heywood Sports Village and do not charge for lessons or transport.”

Parkfield

“We have two terms of swimming lessons at Middleton Arena, which is around 26 lessons. We do not charge for lessons or transport.”

Spotland

“Yes, we provide swimming lessons for half the school year. This is one lesson per week at Castleton Swimming Baths and we do not charge for the lessons or transport costs.”

Stansfield Hall 

"Stansfield Hall Primary School offers integrated swimming and water safety lessons to pupils in year 5. The children attend one 45-minute lesson per week at Todmorden swimming baths for one term. The school do not charge parents for the delivery of these lessons."

St John Fisher RC

“We do provide swimming lessons in KS2. The children have 17 weeks of lessons – one hour per week. We ask parents for a donation towards transport costs or it comes from school budget. The lessons are carried out at Middleton Arena.”

St Mary’s RC

“We go swimming at Rochdale baths and the children have up to 17 lessons, or more if they cannot swim the required distance by the end. We do not charge.”

St Peter’s C of E

“Year 4 children have a one-hour lesson every week at Rochdale Leisure Centre. No charge is made.”

St Peter's RC

"We provide swimming lessons and do not charge for them."

St Thomas More

“We offer swimming lessons for one-hour for 18 weeks each academic year to our Year 4 children.  The lessons are at Heywood baths and we ask for a donation towards transport costs.”