Pools to Schools

Swimming and water safety is a statutory element of the national curriculum for Physical Education in England and swimming is the only sport that must be included within the programme of study. All primary schools must provide swimming and water safety lessons in either key stage 1 or 2 and each child is required to ideally:

  • Perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations
  • Swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25m
  • Use a range of strokes effectively, including front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke

In Spring 2023 Over Hall Community School invested in the 'pools to schools' programme. The pools to schools programme brings a temporary swimming pool to the school and qualified swim instructors provide intensive lessons everyday for two weeks. Having the pool on-site means that precious learning time isn't wasted through travelling to / from a public pool and more of our children have the opportunity to access swimming lessons.

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 How it works?

  • The 9.8m x 5.5m pool and 12m x 6m marquee is delivered on site a week before teaching commences and is erected by professionals
  • The pool is filled with 55,000 litres of water from an outside tap (this takes an average of 3 days)
  • The filtration system, water pump and heater is then turned on to heat the pool to a minium temperature of 29 degrees (average water temperature is 30.5 degrees)  
  • Chemicals are administered, by qualifed staff, 24 hours before the first lesson and the pool is tested to ensure it is safe (water testing continues 4 times a day for the 2 week duration)
  • A minium level 2 swimming instructor and qualified lifeguard arrive
  • 30 minute lessons commence, swimming aids are provided if required