School swimming lessons begin in nine Welsh council areas

Primary school pupils in nine Welsh council areas are the first to receive at least 20 hours of swimming and water safety lessons under Nofio Ysgol, a programme beginning this September.

Which areas are included?

The first phase covers Ynys Môn, Gwynedd, Wrexham, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Swansea, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Cardiff. It is for pupils across Years 4 and 5 in maintained primary schools.

Lessons cover confidence in the water, self-rescue and basic swimming skills. The Welsh Government launched the programme at Penlan Leisure Centre in Swansea on 23 September.

When will other areas join?

Ministers plan to extend the scheme to every Welsh local authority by 2028. The launch announcement does not give individual school timetables, identify all teaching pools or explain how the hours are divided between Years 4 and 5.

Parents should check arrangements with their school. Inclusion in the first phase does not establish the date a particular class will start.