This motion was moved by the Lib Dem group on Fife Council in March 2023.
It calls for swimming lessons to be an integrated part of PE courses in Scottish Primary Schools (as they are in England).
You can find the original motion here and a template is below for you to use on your Council.
This Council notes that;
- Swimming is a life (saving) skill for everybody.
- Schools in England have swimming integrated in their PE curriculum in primary schools.
- Pupils in some countries in Europe are required to be able to swim 25 metres by the end of primary school.
- Swimming is a complete sport which is known to be good for both for physical and mental health.
Council also notes that;
- Local authorities have seen their budget cut significantly the last 10 years preventing them from including a number of items in their curriculum such as swimming.
- In 2015, the Scottish Government had pulled funding from its £1.72m programme to support school swimming lessons.
- Part of the curriculum of excellence has the duty to ensure that children and young people develop the knowledge and understanding, skills, capabilities and attributes which they need for mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing now and in the future.
Council resolves to;
- The Administration, in alliance with other authorities, to press the Scottish Government, the Scottish Minister for Education and Skills as well as the Scottish Minister for Health to prioritise funding to school swimming classes as an integrate part of Physical Education.
- A report of the feasibility of including school swimming lessons at primary school level in [AREA NAME] including costs and practicalities to be brought to the Cabinet Committee.
Sources:
The national curriculum: Key stage 1 and 2 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)