
This KS2 swimming unit contains 12 structured intermediate-level PE lesson plans focused on developing key water confidence and swimming techniques. Pupils build on basic water skills to improve stamina, technique, and confidence with and without swimming aids. Lessons are progressive and suitable for children who are ready to move beyond beginner swimming.
Designed for lower and upper KS2, each session supports swimming proficiency in line with national curriculum aims, including stroke development, floating, underwater control, and safe pool exits.
What’s included:
✔ 12 detailed lesson plans in PDF format
✔ Each plan includes learning objectives, success criteria, warm-up, teaching input, main activity, differentiation, plenary, and resources needed
✔ Low-prep and ready to use
★ Lesson structure:
★ Lesson 1: Pupils learn to jump safely into deeper water and swim up to 15 metres with or without aids
★ Lesson 2: Focus on pushing and gliding through water and rolling from front to back
★ Lesson 3: Pupils practise front crawl leg action to swim without support
★ Lesson 4: Tuck floating and collecting objects from the pool floor
★ Lesson 5: Linking three floating shapes and swimming 10 metres using front crawl legs
★ Lesson 6: Introduction to breaststroke leg movements on front and back
★ Lesson 7: Performing underwater handstands and exiting the pool without steps
★ Lesson 8: Water somersaults linked with push and glide technique
★ Lesson 9: Using sculling technique to move forwards with face in the water
★ Lesson 10: Changing from front to back stroke and back again smoothly
★ Lesson 11: Underwater propulsion using breaststroke leg action
★ Lesson 12: Swimming different distances and choosing the most effective stroke
Why it’s useful:
✔ Fully aligned with KS2 PE national curriculum swimming outcomes
✔ Builds water confidence, control and technique
✔ Differentiated success criteria to support mixed ability groups
✔ Lessons build in difficulty and encourage independent swimming
Suggested use cases:
Ideal for KS2 swimming instruction in school pool settings | PE units focused on stroke development and water safety | Termly swimming blocks | Suitable for Years 4, 5 or 6 depending on ability
Search tags:
KS2 swimming lessons | Intermediate swimming unit | Year 5 PE swimming | National curriculum swimming | Front crawl and breaststroke KS2 | Swimming lesson plans KS2 | Outstanding KS2 PE planning | Differentiated swimming PE KS2
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