Water safety on the national curriculum in England

What is changing in water safety education?

From 1 September 2026, water safety will become a statutory part of the Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum in schools across England, for both primary and secondary pupils. The 2026 RSHE guidance introduces the Water Safety Code to the national curriculum for the first time, taking water safety beyond swimming lessons and bringing these vital life skills into the classroom.

Primary school children will learn the four steps of the code, teaching them how to be safe in and around water, and what to do if something goes wrong. Secondary students will build on this knowledge and learn to manage their personal safety around water independently. 

Prepare for the change with the RNLI

With over 200 years of lifesaving experience on the water, the RNLI is here to help teachers prepare for the new curriculum guidance. Our website is packed full of free lesson plans and learning resources, designed to deliver impactful, age-appropriate water safety sessions to all key stages.

From role-play activities and educational games to printable worksheets and editable presentations, our water safety resources for children are specifically tailored to meet learning objectives and make a lasting difference to how young people behave near the water.

Let us come to you 

Our team of passionate volunteers run free water safety sessions in classrooms and school assemblies. The workshops are a great way to engage young people, building on their understanding of the Water Safety Code through interactive sessions and hands-on activities, and introducing them to the RNLI's lifesaving work.