Question reference: S6W-02037
- Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 30 July 2021
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Current status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 17 August 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve water safety education in schools, and whether it will consider making swimming lessons available to all young people as part of the health and wellbeing curriculum.
Answer
Our thoughts and condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who have recently lost their lives in water-related incidents.
Ensuring that every child learns to swim is a priority for both Scottish Swimming and the Scottish Government. The National Learn to Swim Framework, which is supported by Scottish Water and delivered by aquatic partners every week, already helps children to become safe, competent, and confident swimmers and these water safety themed lessons are an essential part of the Framework to help educate on water safety.
Within schools, Curriculum for Excellence’s flexible guidelines allow teachers to decide upon the content of lessons that best meets the local needs and circumstances of all children and young people in attendance. However, we are working with stakeholders consider the greater opportunities for children and young people to engage in community swimming lessons.