More than 1 in 4 children leave primary school unable to swim 25 metres.
By the time pupils reach Year 7, too many still have not met the expected swimming standard.
Schools are trying to deliver swimming through a difficult system.
Pop up pools are built for back gardens, not high-use school swimming
Swim England says schools face challenges including facility closures, threatened closures, difficulty securing pool time, and travel costs.
A serious answer to the school swimming crisis
This is not a failure of schools. It is a failure of access.
Schools are expected to deliver swimming and water safety, but limited pool time, transport pressure, and timetable constraints make that difficult. Often when they are not given the leeway in the curriculum.
With access to up to 370 hours of fully staffed swimming provision each year, Project:Swim helps suitable schools create opportunities that can reach beyond curriculum lessons alone.
Swim England says temporary pools may have a role in specific circumstances, but clearly states they are “no substitute for genuine pools.”
Swimming is not an optional extra.
Many temporary pools are designed for use by a family in a domestic setting. With more bathers and increased usage, the pool’s circulation and filtration system may not be able to cope.
The national curriculum states that schools must provide swimming instruction in Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2, including swimming 25 metres, using a range of strokes, and safe self-rescue.
Temporary pools are not a replacement for proper swimming provision
Project Swim x Your School
Project Swim provides suitable schools with a fully funded, fully staffed modular swimming facility on their own site.
Schools can access up to 370 hours of swimming provision per year, with everything included at no cost to the school.
Start the conversation
We speak with your school or trust to understand your current swimming provision, site pressures, pupil needs, and initial suitability.
Review site suitability
We look at the practical requirements, including space, access, layout, school use, and whether the site could support a modular swimming facility.
Step 01
Step 02
Step 03
Build the partnership plan
If the site is suitable, we develop the next-stage plan covering the facility model, school use, delivery, safeguarding, and next steps.
Interested in hosting a Project Swim facility?
If your school or trust is interested in exploring on-site swimming provision, we would be happy to start a conversation.
Project Swim works with suitable schools to assess whether a modular swimming facility could support curriculum swimming, reduce transport pressure, and create wider value for pupils and the school community.
