The Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) is calling on primary schools and politicians to show their commitment to school swimming as new figures reveal that 45 per cent of UK primary school children are unable to swim 25 metres despite it being a national curriculum requirement.

The call comes as the national governing body for aquatics released its third annual School Swimming Census into the state of school swimming, which again shows primary school pupils are denied life-saving skills.

The report found that 45 per cent of children aged between seven and 11-years-old are unable to swim the length of an average sized pool without aids.

While this is a six per cent improvement on figures released in 2013, the ASA believes more needs to be done to ensure all children leave primary school with the ability to swim and the knowledge of how to keep themselves safe in and around water.

Source: The Amateur Swimming Association