North East Education News

Issue 96

Last academic year, Kenton School developed 179 new swimmers through the scheme, and is predicting to develop over 150 throughout the 23/24 academic year. The lessons will supplement the physical education curriculum by taking place outside of curriculum time at East End Pool in Byker and Gosforth East Pool. Research shows that swimming is the most popular hobby for children to take part in – surpassing football and dance – yet many children leave primary school without knowing how to swim. The Swimming Teachers Association has found that one in three children cannot swim, and due to the cost-of-living crisis and ongoing impacts from the pandemic, this is expected to increase to as many as six in 10 by 2025. Kenton School aims to combat this by offering free swimming lessons to all students. Starting with year 7, students will learn to swim 25 metre lengths as well as mastering…