Swimming Activity Guide
Activity Overview
Swimming in primary PE develops pupils’ water confidence, stroke technique and safety awareness through structured lessons that progress from beginner to advanced levels across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Early sessions focus on water confidence, basic movement in the water and simple propulsion skills, while intermediate lessons introduce coordinated stroke technique and breathing. As pupils progress, they work towards the mandatory goals; swimming at least 25 metres confidently, using a range of strokes such as front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke, and learning how to perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations. Swimming is a statutory requirement in the national curriculum, and all schools must provide swimming instruction in either Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2.
Below you’ll find key information on Swimming, example beginner and intermediate lesson plans, and a range of resources to support swimming teaching across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
Key Swimming Information
Age Range
Swimming is taught to children of all ages, although provision in Primary Schools is not mandatory until pupils reach Key Stage 1.
✅ Foundation/Reception
✅ Key Stage 1
✅ Key Stage 2
Swimming Observation Sheet
We provide a free downloadable swimming observation sheet. This example is a handout used to help pupils to coach their partner to improve their weakest stroke.
Free Swimming Lesson Plans & Units of Work
Beginners Swimming
Swim short distances unaided between 5 & 20 metres using one consistent stroke. Propel themselves over longer distances with the assistance of swimming aids. Move with more confidence in the water, including submerging themselves fully. Enter and exit the water independently.
Beginners Swimming Lesson 2
- Lift feet from the ground while supported
- Begin to lift feet and make shapes independently
We are learning: to lift our feet off the ground and make shapes in the water Activity: Making shapes
Intermediate Swimming
Swim over greater distances, between 10 & 20 meters, with confidence in shallow water. Begin to use basic swimming techniques. Explore and use basic breathing patterns. Enter and exit the water in a variety of ways. Take part in problem-solving activities such as group floats and team challenges.
Intermediate Swimming Lesson 4
- Perform a tuck float for 5 seconds
- Attempt to perform a surface dive
- Pick up an object from the bottom of the pool
We are learning: to tuck, float and collect objects from the bottom of the pool Activity: Surface dive progressions
Paid Subscriber Content
At the The PE Hub, we offer a wide range of lesson plans covering beginner, intermediate and advanced swimming, suitable for teaching at Foundation/Reception, Key Stage 1, and Key Stage 2 depending on ability. We have 36 lesson plans in total, with 12 lesson plans covering each of the three ability levels.
As well as building a broad-range of skills, our swimming lesson plans are explicitly designed to progress pupils towards meeting the mandatory requirements for swimming ability set out in the national curriculum.
All our lesson plans come with detailed downloadable resources as standard. We have more than 40 resources for swimming across our various modules, covering all the key teaching points and skills taught at each ability level.
Swimming FAQs
Is swimming mandatory in the primary PE national curriculum?
Swimming and water safety are statutory requirements in the national curriculum, and all schools must provide swimming instruction in either Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2. The mandatory requirements are that pupils must be able to swim at least 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively, and perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.
Is swimming taught at all primary school ages?
Swimming is commonly taught from Foundation Stage through to Key Stage 2, although it is not mandatory for Reception-aged children. In early years, sessions focus on water confidence and basic movement. In KS1 and KS2, swimming becomes more structured, with clear progression towards stroke development, distance swimming and water safety outcomes.
What skills should pupils learn in primary PE swimming?
Pupils learn water confidence, floating and basic propulsion before developing recognised strokes such as front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke. As they progress, pupils improve breathing technique, stamina and coordination, and learn how to respond safely in different water-based situations.
What do schools need to deliver primary PE swimming?
Schools need access to a suitable swimming pool, qualified swimming instructors or appropriately trained staff, and appropriate supervision ratios. Additional requirements usually include floats and teaching aids, clear risk assessments and systems for assessing pupil progress against the national curriculum swimming outcomes.
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