Concerns Raised Over Lack of Swimming Skills Among Children

Following the drowning of his teenage son in a reservoir, a father has expressed “real worry” that a “whole generation” of children may not possess adequate swimming abilities for their safety. Sam Haycock, aged 16, died in Ulley Reservoir in South Yorkshire in May 2021. Simon Haycock, Sam’s father, who resides in Rotherham, emphasized that it was “vital” for children to receive swimming instruction at secondary school, complementing the existing lessons provided to primary school students. Mr. Haycock, who has advocated for improved water safety since his son’s death, stated: “Nobody can deny that swimming is a vital life skill that we should be teaching all kids.” Mr. Haycock remarked: “It’s all well and good leaving school with this qualification, with that qualification – but they haven’t got a qualification to keep them alive in certain situations.” He added: “These dangers are there, nobody can deny them.” He noted that Sam was never a proficient swimmer and expressed a desire for him to have received swimming lessons as part of the physical education curriculum in secondary school. He questioned: “If he could have swam, who knows, it’s better to have these skills in place isn’t it?” He attributed an exacerbation of the issue to the closure of multiple swimming pools in the Rotherham area, alongside the loss of swimming facilities by numerous schools over time. The 54-year-old individual learned to swim at the location now known as Wingfield Academy in Rotherham, which previously featured its own small pool. Presently, swimming and water safety instruction are mandatory components of the primary school curriculum, specifically within key stages 1 or 2; however, free schools and academies are exempt from adhering to the national curriculum. At present, there is no mandate for swimming to be taught or incorporated as a sport within physical education lessons at secondary schools. Mr. Haycock stated: “I don’t think six half-hour sessions is anywhere near sufficient.” He added: “They really are putting all our youth groups in a dangerous situation.” Chris Porter, a manager at Tadcaster Community Swimming Pool in North Yorkshire, was also quoted. He cautioned about a “Covid cohort” of children who, having missed lessons due to pandemic restrictions, are now reaching secondary school age without meeting the anticipated swimming proficiency. He observed: “There is a knock-on now and definitely a higher rate of children that haven’t achieved the key stage 2 standard of 25 metres.” In 2021, Swim England, a charitable organization, issued a warning that over one million children might complete primary education within the following five years without meeting the national curriculum’s minimum swimming standards. Mr. Porter highlighted that “cost is also a barrier,” frequently influenced by the distance children must travel to access their nearest swimming facility. He explained: “The Tadcaster schools are really fortunate that they can walk to the pool, so there are very limited, low-level costs.” He added: “As a charity pool ourselves we don’t actually charge the schools, to try to boost the numbers.” He mentioned that at the nearby Tadcaster Grammar School, students in year 9 have the option to choose swimming, a practice he described as unusual. He pondered: “You just wonder how many children would choose that in year 7, 8 and 9.” The Tadcaster pool operates under community management and will commemorate its 30th anniversary next month. The trust overseeing its operation receives no continuous financial aid, relying instead on funding generated by community usage of the facility. Elsewhere, financially constrained council-operated swimming pools have been compelled to cease operations. Earlier this month, Kirklees Council announced its intention to permanently close Dewsbury Sports Centre; however, this decision will undergo additional review subsequent to public opposition. The center ceased operations in September 2023 after the discovery of collapse-prone reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) at the site. The authority indicated that the cost of refurbishing the facility would be prohibitive. Danny Martland, head coach for Tadcaster York Sport Swim Squad and University of York Swimming, concurred that swimming should “definitely” be integrated into the secondary school curriculum. He acquired swimming skills at the facility now known as Selby Leisure Centre and competed as a swimmer, but was compelled to cease due to a shoulder injury. He asserted: “Swimming is not only a sport – but a vital life skill – I don’t understand why it wouldn’t be.” He added: “It should be a standardised skill that everybody has at a good level.” A spokesperson for the Department for Education commented: “The secondary PE curriculum gives schools the freedom to deliver lessons that suit the needs of their pupils – to build on the skills they learned in primary school becoming more competent and confident, including swimming and water safety lessons.” The BBC offers further content, including highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds and the latest episode of Look North, and invites story submissions. This content is copyrighted by the BBC in 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC states it is not responsible for the content of external sites and provides information on its approach to external linking.