Almost one in five 11-year-olds cannot swim 25 metres

Schools Minister Jim Knight said the �5.5m scheme would promote confidence in the water and improve fitness.

Almost one in five 11-year-olds in England cannot swim the required 25 metres despite compulsory lessons.

Non-swimmers will get daily classes for a fortnight. But a parents' group said many in rural areas faced practical problems of accessing a pool.

The National Confederation of Parent Teacher Association's spokeswoman Margaret Morrissey said: "It's a really good idea and a very worthy one but we have some practical reservations.

"Not everybody lives in a town or near a swimming pool. Depending on where you live a 'local pool' can be quite a long way away.

"And how is the money going to be divided up? Between every school it is not very much."

Water sports

Schools minister Jim Knight said: "Every child should learn to swim. It is an essential skill and is a fun way to exercise.

"We want to give as many pupils as possible confidence in the water, and the potential to enjoy a whole range of other water sports and activities."

More than 800 children in Bristol and County Durham who had failed to reach the 25-metre benchmark have taken part in trials.

Of those, 57% could swim the distance afterwards.

Partnerships

Swimming and water safety activities are compulsory for primary pupils.

The government wants all children to be offered at least two hours of sport a week during school hours by 2010.

School sport partnerships, where groups of schools work to increase participation, are working with the Amateur Swimming Association to organise the top-up lessons.

Chief executive of the ASA, David Sparkes, said: "Trials have already proven that with extra lessons and smaller group numbers more children are able to meet the minimum 25-metre requirement."

'Moving forward'

Olympic gold medal winner Duncan Goodhew welcomed the move.

He told BBC News that he had learned to swim at the age of five and the fact that around one in five 11-year-olds were unable to swim was a figure "we shouldn't be proud of."

He said: "I am glad to say that the government a few years ago brought in top-ups to help schools with the problems of getting to pools etc.

"This is very much specific to the problems that some people have, either physical, psychological, cultural or socio-economic problems they may have in getting down to the pool.