Merton’s schools have left rivals in their wake after a study found they had already hit swimming targets required by 2014.

The Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) survey, praised Merton, while finding more than half of primary schoolchildren in the country cannot swim.

Merton were ranked in the bottom five in England in terms of the number of children achieving Key Stage 2 attainment targets in 2012. 

Since then they have implemented a number of changes and initiatives to improve the number of children able to swim in the borough.

The ASA even used Cranmer Primary School in Mitcham as a case study to show how a school can successfully increased the provision of swimming lessons.

The council said the borough’s primary schools are already ahead in getting schoolchildren swimming after the Merton School Sports Partnership (MSSP) set up a School Swimming Group Strategy in 2012.

 

VIDEO: Councillor Maxi Martin explains what the council has done to improve swimming targets, as well as the headteacher of Cranmer Primary School.

Merton’s cabinet member for education, Councillor Martin Whelton, said: “Swimming is a vital life skill and one that should be learned early on in life.

“The swimming strategy that Merton School Sport Partnership has developed is an excellent way to ensure that pupils are at the right swimming standard for their age and are learning in the best and most supportive way.”