Minister for School Standards welcomed update on water safety education and vital curriculum change at recent APPG

On 27 January 2026, the All‑Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Water Safety Education, organised by RLSS UK, was held in Westminster. 

From September 2026, the Department of Education’s statutory guidance for all primary and secondary schools in England will include water safety education in their Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education, and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum. 

The achievement is a significant step towards RLSS UK’s goal to have water safety education embedded in the curricula across the UK and Ireland, as detailed in our 2025 – 2030 Strategic Framework. 

Discussion at the meeting centred on the resources, collaboration, and commitment required to embed consistent and effective water safety education in classrooms. 

As a leading expert in water safety, RLSS UK provides free online resources for teachers, including lesson plans, presentations, and worksheets. In addition, RLSS UK offers a free, accreditation-based, award-winning Water Smart Schools programme for primary, secondary, and specialist SEND schools, regardless of their available facilities or resources. 

The Minister for School Standards, Georgia Gould, attended and said: “Our recently updated relationships, sex and health curriculum responds to the realities facing children today - including new content on water safety education for all primary and secondary schools in England.  

“It is absolutely vital children know how to increase their safety around water, and they must be able to recognise risks so we can help prevent future tragedies.” 

RLSS UK welcomes the Minister’s commitment, not just to the policy, but also to ensuring that the delivery of water safety education in all schools is a success. 

The APPG was established by RLSS UK after a coroner’s report issued to the Department of Education on the tragic drownings of 17-year-old Joe Abbess and 12-year-old Sunnah Khan called for action to be taken to prevent further deaths and referred to RLSS UK's advocacy on changing the curriculum. 

Joe’s mother, Vanessa Abbess, courageously shared his story at the APPG, representing bereaved families affected by drowning and underlining the lifesaving importance of classroom-based water safety lessons.  

RLSS UK recognises and sincerely thanks all the families, organisations, charities, campaigners, educators, and safety professionals whose tireless advocacy made this curriculum change in England possible. Their dedication and persistence have driven the momentum for this crucial step forward. 

Special thanks to Chair Darren Paffey MP, Co-chair Lord Storey, all MPs and Peers who attended, as well as RLSS UK CEO Simmy Akhtar. RLSS UK also appreciated the support of stakeholders in attendance from Manchester Fire and Rescue, National Child Mortality Database (NCMD), National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), Oasis Academy Trust, Port of London Water Authority, PSHE Association, and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). 

RLSS UK will continue to engage policymakers, equip the education sector, and support teachers with expert resources - all to move closer to our vision of communities free from drowning.
 

Water Safety Education Update 

Strategic Framework 2025-2030