How on-site swimming works in schools (based on school size)

One of the most common questions we get from schools is:

“How would swimming actually work in our school?”

The honest answer is it depends on a couple of things:

• The size of your school

• How you want to structure the programme

At Kanga Sports, delivering the national Swim:ED programme in Bradford and North Leeds, we work with a wide range of schools and no two look exactly the same. The aim is always to make the programme practical, manageable and high quality for each setting.

What does the day-to-day typically look like?

In most schools, the programme runs as an intensive block, where pupils swim every day across a half term.

We’ve found this works really well because:

• Pupils build confidence quickly

• Skills develop faster

• There is consistency in learning

For many schools, this is the best way to help pupils make real progress in a short space of time.

Flexibility depending on your school

That said, we know not every school runs the same way.

Some schools prefer a more flexible approach depending on their timetable, priorities or pupil needs.

That might look like:

• Splitting groups across different weeks

• Mixing year groups

• Focusing on specific pupils

• Running the programme across multiple years

The most important thing is that the programme works for your school, rather than trying to fit into a set model.

Working with schools across the region

At Kanga, we support schools across the region, from smaller rural schools with mixed year groups through to larger multi-form entry schools in Leeds, Bradford and surrounding areas.

Because of that, we understand that what works in one school may look very different in another, and we adapt the programme accordingly.

How this looks in practice (by school size)

3 Form Entry Schools

Larger schools will usually run the programme for one full year group across a half term.

This means:

• Every pupil in that year group gets access

• They swim daily

• There is strong, consistent progress

It also helps schools cover curriculum requirements within a single term.

2 Form Entry Schools

2 form entry schools tend to use a slightly more flexible version of this.

A common approach is:

• One full year group swims across the half term

• Another year group is split across the same period

For example:

• Year 4 swim for the full half term

• Year 3 are split, with half swimming in the first 3 weeks and the other half in the second 3 weeks

Some schools also mix year groups to make sure more pupils get the opportunity.

1 Form Entry Schools

Smaller schools usually spread the programme across multiple year groups.

Typically:

• Three year groups will swim across a half term

To make it more cost-effective, schools often:

• Run the programme every other year

• Or use a three-year cycle

This means all pupils still get access to swimming, just spread over time.

Mixed Year Group or Smaller Schools

For schools with mixed year groups or smaller cohorts, there is even more flexibility.

Some choose to:

• Run a whole-school swimming programme

• Rotate the programme every 2 to 3 years

This helps:

• Maximise participation

• Make the programme more manageable

• Ensure no pupils miss out

Finding the right balance

From experience, daily swimming gives the strongest outcomes.

However, flexibility is just as important so schools can:

• Fit it into their timetable

• Support the pupils who need it most

• Manage staffing and logistics

• Spread costs where needed

The best programmes are the ones that are built around the school, not the other way around.

A practical and adaptable approach

One of the biggest challenges schools face with swimming is not willingness, it is logistics.

Transport, pool access and time out of school can all make it difficult to sustain.

On-site provision removes a lot of those barriers, but the real difference comes from shaping the programme so it works in your setting.

Want to explore what this could look like?

Every school is different, so the best place to start is a conversation.

If you’re thinking about how swimming could work in your school, we’d be happy to talk it through and share what has worked well elsewhere. Get in touch!

If you'd like to see a pool in action sign up for one of our free short Swim Showcases at local primary schools.