§ Patsy CaltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what steps are being taken to ensure that schools provide sufficient curriculum time for school swimming in order to meet National Curriculum targets; [79276]
416W2) when she will provide further details of the increased training of PE teachers in swimming and water safety announced on 17 October; [79277]
(3) how many children fail to meet National Curriculum standards in swimming at age 11; what criteria will be used to select the areas for remedial swimming pilots as announced on 17 October; and what funding will be made available for this; [79278]
(4) what figures she collates on how many schools ask for parental contributions for curriculum swimming lessons. [79182]
§ Mr. MilibandWe are developing a package of measures to deliver our commitment to enhance the take up of sporting opportunities by 5 to 16-year-olds by increasing the percentage of school children who spend a minimum of 2 hours each week during term time on high-quality PE and school sport. Our Swimming Strategy was announced on 17 October. Part of that Strategy, the Swimming Charter which will be published in 2003, will provide non-statutory guidance to schools on how much time to allocate for swimming specifically as part of this commitment to enhance sporting opportunities for children. Other details of the strategy, including the criteria to be used to select the areas for remedial swimming pilots, funding to be made available and details of increased training for PE teachers in swimming and water safety, are being developed. The Department does not collect data on how many schools ask for parental contributions for curriculum swimming lessons. Some 20 per cent. of children aged 11 years old fail to meet National Curriculum standards in swimming (Swimming In Key Stage 2: An Inspection Report on Standards and Provision; OFSTED, 2000).