CHILDREN who cannot swim by the age of 11 will be given intensive daily lessons under a £5.5 million scheme to be unveiled today.
Schools Minister Jim Knight will announce the move to help the 17% of 11-year-olds who are unable to swim 25 metres despite compulsory lessons at primary school.
The scheme, to be run in partnership with the Amateur Swimming Association over the next two years, will involve pupils attending lessons every day for a fortnight during term-time.
It is part of the Government's school sport strategy to increase participation in school sport.
Mr Knight said: "Every child should learn to swim. It is an essential skill and is a fun way to exercise.
"We want to give as many pupils as possible confidence in the water, and the potential to enjoy a whole range of other watersports and activities."
Intensive lessons have been given trials with more than 800 children in Bristol and County Durham last year who had failed to reach the 25-metre benchmark.
Some 57% of those who took part could swim the distance after the additional lessons.
David Sparkes, chief executive of the Amateur Swimming Association said:
"Trials have already proven that with extra lessons and smaller group numbers more children are able to meet the minimum 25 metre requirement, and with the support of our regional coordinators we will be able to help many more children reach that target."
