New figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request show London has the lowest proportion of primary school pupils in England able to swim 25 metres by the end of Year 6. The data, covering more than 15,000 state schools, places the capital well below the national average and highlights stark variation between boroughs.
How London compares
The figures indicate only 63% of Year 6 pupils in London could swim at least 25m during the 2024-25 school year, compared with an England average of 72%. The South West and North West recorded the highest regional rates, at 77% and 75% respectively.
| Area | Year 6 pupils able to swim 25m |
|---|---|
| London (region) | 63% |
| England (average) | 72% |
| South West | 77% |
| North West | 75% |
The data, supplied by the Department for Education and analysed by the BBC, also shows London trails other regions on teaching a range of strokes and on pupils' ability to perform a self-rescue in water-based situations.
Deep disparities in east London
Some east London boroughs recorded particularly low results. Newham, Tower Hamlets and Redbridge reported that just 48%, 48% and 48% of Year 6 pupils respectively could swim 25m. Their performance on related measures was also low: the proportion able to perform a range of strokes was reported as 48% in Newham, 47% in Tower Hamlets and 43% in Redbridge, while the figures for self-rescue were 47%, 46% and 33% respectively.
"It is vital local children learn to swim, and to take water safety seriously," said Forhad Hussain, the mayor of Newham. "All Newham residents under 16 can swim for free at certain times at our three loc..."
The statement from Newham’s mayor emphasises that council-run schools offer swimming lessons alongside water-safety classes. The borough also runs free sessions for under-16s at designated times at its pools, according to the mayor's office.
Official concern and context
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London described the figures as "concerning" and pointed to recent drownings in the capital’s waterways as a reminder that swimming instruction must include water-safety training. Under the national curriculum, state primary schools must provide swimming instruction in either Key Stage 1 or 2 and pupils should be taught to:
- swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25m;
- use a range of strokes effectively (for example, front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke);
- perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.
Local authorities and schools are responsible for arranging this provision, but the FOI results suggest many pupils in the capital are leaving primary school without the full set of skills the curriculum requires.
Practical consequences and local reaction
The gap in swimming ability has several practical implications. For parents and guardians it raises concerns about child safety around the River Thames, canals and other urban waterways. For headteachers and academy leaders, the findings may prompt questions about access to pools, the cost of transport to facilities, staffing and the availability of qualified instructors.
Schools in London vary widely in access to swimming pools; some operate lessons on site while others rely on trips to municipal or private pools. Where local pool provision has been reduced in recent years, schools report longer travel times and increased cost, which can limit the amount of time pupils spend in the water.
What happens next?
City Hall and borough councils now face pressure to set out clear plans to raise proficiency rates. Measures that councils could consider include targeted funding for swimming for schools in the worst-affected areas, stronger partnership working with leisure trusts, and expanded water-safety education beyond the pool.
For parents seeking immediate resources, many local councils publish timetables for free and discounted junior sessions; details are available on borough leisure websites. Schools are the primary route for reaching the majority of children, and the new data will intensify scrutiny of how councils and trusts prioritise swimming in their budgets and programming.
The figures lay bare an uncomfortable truth for Londoners: despite the capital’s rivers, canals and canalside life, a significant number of children are leaving primary school without basic aquatic skills. Policymakers will now need to explain how they intend to close that gap and keep children safe in and around water.
