Swim:ED Pop-Up Pools is game-changing pop-up pool program is making waves in the UK, dramatically addressing the school swimming crisis. With a 160% surge in 25-metre swimming proficiency, the program is not just teaching children how to swim but also ensuring that more kids have access to safe, inclusive water safety education than ever before.

The urgency of the school swimming crisis

School swimming in the UK is at a breaking point. A staggering 28% of children left primary school in 2023 unable to swim 25 metres, an alarming figure that, if left unchecked, could rise to 60% by 2026, leaving over 1.2 million children unable to protect themselves in water.

The cause? Rising costs, a shortage of qualified swimming instructors, and the long-term effects of Covid-related pool closures. Thousands of children are being deprived of the government-mandated swim standards. According to the National Curriculum, every 11-year-old should be able to:

• Swim confidently over at least 25 metres
• Perform a range of strokes (e.g., front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke)
• Execute safe self-rescue techniques in various water situations

However, Sport England’s survey shows that 36% of state primary schools offered either no swimming lessons or fewer than ten lessons per pupil in the 2022-23 academic year, often due to lack of suitable facilities, staffing issues, or prohibitive costs.

Redefining school swim results: A leap in proficiency

Swim:ED’s program is designed for rapid results. Over three weeks, pupils receive 15 intensive, 45-minute swim sessions in small groups of no more than ten children. Compared to traditional setups, where children might only have weekly lessons, the Swim:ED model has proven to deliver significantly greater improvements in a fraction of the time.

The results speak for themselves. The 2024 Impact Report highlights the progress made by 7,589 students during the 2023-24 academic year. For Year 6 leavers, the improvements in key areas were nothing short of extraordinary:

• Swimming 25 metres unaided: A 160% increase – 53.7% of children could swim 25 metres unaided after the program, up from just 20.7%.
• Mastering Multiple Strokes: A 172.6% improvement – 70.69% of children could perform multiple strokes effectively after the program.
• Self-Rescue Skills: A jaw-dropping 492% improvement – 65.28% of pupils could demonstrate self-rescue techniques, up from only 11.03%.
• Water Safety Knowledge: A staggering 912% improvement – 81.79% of children could explain key water safety principles, a massive increase from just 8.07%.

What schools are saying about Swim:ED

Swim:ED’s impact has been nothing short of transformative, with schools reporting dramatic improvements in both swimming skills and water safety awareness:

• “Swim:ED has revolutionised our swimming lessons at Timberley Primary Academy, overcoming logistical challenges and improving Year 6 attendance. The difference in swimming ability and water safety awareness is incredible.”

— Ian Griffiths, Deputy Head, Timberley Primary Academy

• “Many of our children had little experience with swimming and lacked confidence in the water. The progress we’ve seen with daily lessons is extraordinary. Swim:ED has dramatically increased the number of children reaching the national curriculum standard.”

— Laura Burgin, Deputy Headteacher, Beckfoot Heaton Primary School

• “Having swim lessons on-site meant our students spent more time in the pool instead of traveling. Every child made considerable progress, and the lessons were top-notch. We can’t wait for Swim:ED to return next year!”

— Hannah Jack, Business Manager & PE Lead, Brentry Primary School

Download the impact report

The 2024 Impact Report from Swim:ED goes beyond showcasing results—it offers practical solutions to the common hurdles of swimming education in schools, from lost learning time to high transport costs. Inside, you’ll find:

• Solutions to improve swim instruction and water safety education
• Impactful progress reports from 2023/24 Year 6 leavers
• Evidence supporting the success of the pop-up pool approach
• A deep dive into Swim:ED’s comprehensive program, including on-site pool facilities, curriculum support, and seamless scheduling
• Case studies of schools across the UK benefiting from the program

Want to see how Swim:ED could transform swim education at your school? Download the full report here: Swim:ED Impact Report.