School swimming lessons programme to begin rolling out across Wales this autumn
Primary school pupils in Wales will get access to swimming and water safety lessons under a new national programme starting this autumn.
Nofio Ysgol will provide a minimum of 20 lessons a year to pupils in Years 4 and 5, covering water confidence, self-rescue and basic swimming.
The programme will be phased in over three years, with up to nine local authorities beginning delivery in the 2026-27 academic year and full national coverage planned by 2028-29.
The Welsh Government has not yet confirmed which local authorities will be in the first wave, so it is not known whether Flintshire schools will be among the first to start in September.
Swim Wales, which will deliver the programme, says around 66,000 primary-age children took part in school swimming lessons in 2024-25, out of 182,000 who were eligible.
Of those, around 26,000 achieved the Nofio Ysgol Gold Award, the expected standard of water safety competence.
Classroom-based water safety education will run alongside the pool sessions.
The Welsh Government has committed £2m towards the programme this financial year, with the funding used to help schools overcome barriers to swimming lessons, including transport costs, accessibility and facilities.
Speaking at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “The fact that there are 21 Welsh swimmers competing at this year’s Commonwealth Games is a real testament to the breadth of talent in our national team.
“But not everyone needs to reach the level of our elite athletes. Swimming is an important life skill which helps children stay safe and builds their confidence in and around water.
“Beginning the roll-out of this programme is one of this government’s first 100 day commitments. I’m really pleased that children will begin to benefit from September and I look forward to the programme reaching every school in Wales by 2028.”
Ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July, Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport Heledd Fychan said: “This programme is about more than swimming. It is about building confidence, keeping children safe around water, and giving every pupil in Wales a foundation for an active, healthy life.
“Every child in Wales deserves the chance to learn to swim, regardless of where they grow up.”
Fergus Feeney, chief executive of Swim Wales, said: “Swimming is a foundational skill that unlocks a lifetime of health benefits and safety awareness.
“Our team is fully equipped to manage the day-to-day operations, track progress through rigorous data collection, and deliver a gold-standard programme that serves every community across the country.”
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