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Swimming key to curriculum
An independent review of the primary school curriculum in England has set out that swimming should remain an important part of Key Stage 2

The government has commissioned Sir Jim Rose to examine primary education and his final report features seven proposed learning programmes that would make up a new curriculum.

Tne of the programmes is ‘understanding physical development, health and wellbeing', which covers swimming.

It sets out that all pupils should learn to float and move safely in water and to swim unaided or unsupported on their front and on their back. They should also learn how to survive in water.

Under the new curriculum, children would still be expected to swim a minimum distance of 25m by the end of Key Stage 2 and a 12-week consultation period will now follow to help shape the delivery of an appropriate curriculum for swimming Jon Glenn, the Amateur Swimming Association's School Swimming Manager, said: "We welcome the continuing inclusion of swimming as part of the national curriculum because it is vital children learn to swim. Swimming is the only sport that can save a person's life."

Sheffield International Venues (SIV) runs Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Ponds Forge International Sports Centre and Concord Sports Centre, which offer swimming facilities and lessons for people of all ages and, abilities and fitness levels Ponds Forge offers an Olympic standard size diving pool with 13 diving boards, a regional size leisure pool with 100 metre lazy river ride, wave machine, two flumes and a spa pool.

Hillsborough Leisure Centre has a free form leisure pool with wave machine, two water flumes and children's spa pool.

Concord Sports Centre boasts a 25m pool for lane and leisure swimming as well as a smaller 12m x 7m teaching pool. It offers the largest swim lesson programme in Sheffield, with over 60,000 ASA-recognised lessons every year.

Together, they deliver more than 115,000 swimming lessons annually.