Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore has visited St Mary’s Primary School in Riddlesden to see the school’s swimming pool facilities, which are part of local organisation Kanga Sports’ Swim:ED programme.
Based in Skipton, Kanga Sports provides physical education, swimming and performing arts to children of all ages across the region. Through the Swim:ED programme, the organisation installs heated temporary pools directly on school grounds, providing pupils with curriculum swimming and water safety education, taught by Kanga Sports’ own qualified instructors and lifeguards.
Mr Moore had high praise for the initiative, highlighting that it offers schools flexible, accessible swimming provision for pupils, enabling smaller class sizes and eliminating many of the logistical challenges associated with traditional primary school swimming, such as transport off-site, staffing and limited access to local pool facilities.
Nationally, the programme has seen encouraging results. Across thousands of sessions, over 83% of pupils have improved in national curriculum swim outcomes. The initiative was also recently featured in the Association for Physical Education’s Physical Education Matters journal, and Swim:ED and Kanga Sports have been actively working with Swim England to help shape guidance on safe, impactful delivery models like this.
During the visit, Mr Moore met with Headteacher Mrs Wright and Directors of Kanga Sports, George Wysocki and Andrew Bode, to learn more about the programme and tour the facilities. The local MP paid tribute to both Kanga Sports and the school for their commitment to children’s health and wellbeing, recognising the long-term health and safety benefits of getting children swimming early.
Andrew Bode, Director of Kanga Sports, said:
“Swimming is a life-saving skill, not a luxury. Too many children leave school unable to swim or understand basic water safety. Through Swim:ED, we’re breaking down the barriers that prevent access. Having pools on school sites removes transport issues, reduces lost learning time and creates a more supportive environment for all pupils, especially those who are anxious or have additional needs. We're also trying to build links with local leisure providers, creating a pathway from school swimming into community swimming. The aim is to embed swimming and water safety as a lifelong skill across families and communities.”
George Wysocki, Director of Kanga Sports, added:
“Our aim is simple, more children swimming, more safely, more often. It’s been encouraging to see the response from schools and local leaders who understand the urgency. With support, we’re ready to expand the programme across more schools, strengthen community links and ensure water safety becomes part of every child’s education.”
Robbie Moore MP also shared his thoughts:
“It was such a pleasure to visit St Mary’s and see their incredible swimming facilities first-hand. This is a truly fantastic initiative, who already do so much to support children in the local area.
“Giving schools easy, flexible access to swimming education and water safety skills for their pupils is a truly brilliant initiative, and I’m delighted to see it working so well at St Mary’s.
“It’s so important for children to be active and healthy, and it’s fantastic to see Kanga Sports and St Mary’s leading the way on this.”
