Double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington backing sports offerings in Essex schools

Four-time Olympic medallist Rebecca Adlington has warned that more children than ever before are at risk of leaving primary school unable to swim, due to the record number of public pool closures over the last 18 months, leaving children unable to access lessons and facilities.

This comes as current figures show that one in three children leave primary school unable to swim the statutory 25 metres, but Adlington fears this number will be much higher due to the rising trend for school pool closures.

Adlington is pleading with Essex schools to fast-track swimming to the top of the agenda, saying swimming should be prioritised just as much as core subjects as it’s a life-saving skills every child deserves to have.

In a bid to solve the issue, and give more children opportunities to learn to swim, as well as combating the growing obesity crisis, Adlington is launching The Movement Project – an initiative from Total Swimming Academies and Vivify – which is offering schools across the country a £1million lifeline to help them stay open.

Aston spoke to Rebecca Adlington OBE.

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