South Marston Church of England Primary School, in the borough of Swindon, is cutting back its swimming lessons, Swindon24 reported on Tuesday 18 August 2026. The school told parents that from September swimming would be limited to Key Stage 2 pupils.
Why?
- The school said it faces a reduction of about £16,000 in its Primary PE and Sport Premium funding.
- Swimming costs the school an average of around £85 per pupil.
- It had already subsidised swimming by an extra £6,000 during the current year.
What is changing nationally?
Under the existing scheme most eligible primary schools receive at least £16,000 a year, ring-fenced for PE and sport. In May 2026 the Government announced plans to replace it with a PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, expected to be fully operating from spring 2027. Ministers have committed more than £1 billion over three years, including £580 million for the network and a one-off £100 million PE Premium payment to primary schools during the changeover. The Government says the new network will target support where inactivity is greatest and could help with swimming and water safety.
Local reaction
Swindon's Conservatives, who run the borough council, called on the Government to reconsider and to keep enough funding going directly to schools. Councillor Kate Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Children and Education, said: "We believe schools are best placed to understand the needs of their pupils."
Harvey Scholes, founder of HS Sport, which provides PE coaches to five local schools, said: "we have heard from some schools that because of the cuts in funding they aren't able to bring in sports coaches".
Source: Swindon24.