Overview

This bill mandates that the UK Secretary of State incorporate water safety and drowning prevention education into the compulsory curriculum for all schools in England. The aim is to equip children with the knowledge and skills to stay safe around water and reduce drowning incidents.

Description

This bill requires the Secretary of State to create regulations ensuring water safety education is taught to all pupils of compulsory school age in England, covering both primary and secondary levels. The regulations will:

• Direct the Secretary of State to provide guidance to schools on delivering this education and regularly review that guidance.
• Require schools to follow the guidance and create publicly available policies on water safety education.
• Outline circumstances where pupils may be excused from some or all water safety education.
• Specify that the education should teach pupils how to be safe around water and prevent drowning, tailored to their age.

The Secretary of State must consult relevant individuals before creating these regulations. The bill allows for the amendment of existing education legislation to accommodate the new requirements. The regulations will be made via statutory instrument and require approval from both Houses of Parliament.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify exact figures for government spending. However, it will involve costs associated with developing and distributing guidance to schools, potential teacher training, and administrative oversight of the new curriculum requirement. The exact financial implications are yet to be determined.

Groups Affected

• Schools in England: Will be required to implement water safety education into their curriculum, potentially requiring additional resources and teacher training.
• Pupils in England: Will receive compulsory water safety education.
• Parents/Guardians: Will have access to school policies regarding water safety education.
• Teachers: May require additional training to deliver the water safety curriculum effectively.
• Secretary of State for Education: Responsible for creating and overseeing the implementation of the regulations.

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