Sports trust Greenwich Leisure (GLL) has seen its swimming programmes held up as an example to schools around the UK.

The trust’s Atherton Leisure Centre was featured on national television in a programme which explored the collaboration between Earlham Primary School in Newham, London; GLL and the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA).

It was designed to highlight how initiatives such as Top Up Swimming, which offers intensive coaching for individual pupils who are struggling to learn to swim, can help schools meet the key stage 2 target of children being able to swim 25m unaided.

Commenting on swimming in Newham, Andrew Clark, head of swimming at GLL, said: “Swimming is an essential life skill, while learning to swim can help improve a child’s behaviour and confidence.

“We are delighted that the swimming programme we provide in Newham has been held up as an example to schools around the UK.”

Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, said: "It was really exciting for the children from Earlham School to be featured on television.

"We believe that swimming is an essential skill that all children should learn. That is why we worked with GLL in being one of the first boroughs to offer free swimming for children during school holidays."