'Shameful' fall in swimming lessons for kids

CONCERNS have been raised over the falling numbers of Gwynedd youngsters who can swim. The "essential skill" can be the difference between life and death in a county with miles of coastline and rivers, a council meeting heard.

- By DALE SPRIDGEON Local Democracy Reporter [e-mail]

The "shameful situation" had also seen some of the schools with the highest levels of deprivation in the county with the lowest levels of swimming skilled pupils. The issue came to light during Cyngor Gwynedd's cabinet meeting, on Tuesday.

Some schools had been "cutting back" on taking children for swimming lessons due to the financial "barrier" of increasing transport costs. Cllr Medwyn Hughes, the cabinet member for economy and community, said: "I am concerned that the number of pupils in Gwynedd who receive swimming lessons at our centres continues to fall.

"Pre-Covid, 85% of KS2 [Key Stage 2] children received swimming lessons in Byw'n Iach pools which met the national curriculum standard for basic swimming skills. By the end of summer 2024, we can be certain that only 54% of all KS2 children can swim."