Drowning Prevention Week 2026: Why water safety education matters in schools

Taking place from 13–20 June 2026, Drowning Prevention Week is a national campaign led by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) in partnership with Schools' Enterprise Association. The initiative aims to equip children with essential water safety knowledge ahead of the summer holidays, helping schools raise awareness of the risks and promote safer behaviours around water.

For schools, water safety education is not only about swimming ability. It is about building awareness, confidence, and informed decision-making. Teaching pupils how to recognise hazards, respond in an emergency, and understand the dangers of open water can have a lasting impact both inside and outside the classroom.

Campaign resources released by RLSS UK include lesson ideas, activities, and downloadable materials designed to support schools in delivering these important messages in an engaging and age-appropriate way.

At SOCS, we know schools play a vital role in educating and safeguarding young people beyond traditional academic settings. Initiatives such as Drowning Prevention Week provide valuable opportunities to reinforce pupil wellbeing, personal safety, and life skills through meaningful education.

We encourage schools to explore the available resources and take part in these conversations to help continue promoting water safety awareness across their communities this summer.

We encourage schools to explore the available resources and take part in these conversations to help continue promoting water safety awareness across their communities this summer.

To learn more about Drowning Prevention Week visit RLSS UK.