At St Martin and St Mary Church of England Primary School and surrounding local schools, swimming has always been a significant factor in the schools’ provision. This has never been limited to the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum but all about promoting swimming as an essential life skill that brings benefits way beyond the activity itself.

We know that swimming contributes to physical health, wellbeing, engagement with the landscape and staying safe. Therefore, our youngest school aged children begin to learn to swim when they are in Reception, with weekly lessons in the summer term. These children, who are only 4 and 5 years old, have sometimes never been swimming before and often lack the confidence to make a start on this essential skill.