Our ultimate objective when offering swimming lessons is to increase the number of children that can meet the national curriculum expectations (there are several criteria but the main one is being able to swim 25 metres) and acquire this possibly lifesaving skill. With that aim in mind, we will have the pop-up pool in situ for the month of November. 

Swimming lessons will be offered to children in Years 4, 5 and 6 children who can’t swim meaning that children who need it will get three sustained periods to secure this skill.  

Where the pool will go and when?
The pool will be constructed and filled during the October half term and will be situated on the top playground between Year 4 and the field in a secure marquee. It is a 10m x 5m x 1.4m heated pool with an average temperature of 30° C. There will be room to walk around it for access and we will tell the children it is out of bounds unless they are with an adult. I hope our local neighbours will keep an eye out for us at night-time and the weekends but other schools have not reported a problem with security.  It will be in place for 4 weeks.  

How the lessons will be organised?
We are using a reputable and experienced company that comes recommended and work within Swim England and Swimming Teacher Association guidelines. The pool will be staffed by two qualified swimming instructors who are also trained lifeguards. A member of our support team will supervise changing and going to and from lessons. There will be 12 children in a group and 10 half an hour lessons across a day. There is a very high success rate for children learning to swim over a period of four weeks if they can have lessons daily.  

The cost 
We have calculated that each lesson costs £5.00 which means if your child swims for the whole month this will cost £10. We appreciate that this will be very difficult for some families.  

No child will be denied the chance to swim if their family cannot or does not pay. However, we would not be able to fund a huge shortfall each year so if we were not able to cover the costs with voluntary contributions and possible fund-raising activities, we may have to reduce other activities as swimming is part of the national curriculum. 

Lessons no longer take place at Stevenage Swimming Pool. All swimming will take place annually (in November) in the pop up pool on site.  

What will the children need?
They will need a swimming costume, towel, swimming hat with them every day until we inform you that they are no longer swimming. 

Will every child in Years 4, 5 and 6 participate this year?  
All children in Years 4, 5 and 6 who cannot swim 25m will be offered the opportunity to swim. We hope there are no barriers to every child being able to join in. If the cost is a barrier, please pay what you can and/or contact Mrs Burgess to discuss. If equipment is a barrier, please let her know as well. We will have a small reserve of all the necessary equipment that we will loan out so that no child misses out. If there are cultural/religious barriers please again speak to Mrs Burgess so we can find a way. Equally if your child has special needs speak to Mrs Birchall so we can see if we can accommodate these so all children can be included.  

Does my child have to take part? 
We will be asking for consent for children to use the pool so you are able to decline this opportunity if you would prefer. We will also be asking for proof of swimming ability. As swimming is part of the national curriculum, swimming ability will be added to school reports.  

Will there be an option to pay the swimming fee over the term/year? 
Yes. Payments will be made via Arbor and you will have the option to pay over a number of months with a deadline being around February/March 2026. 

Where will children get changed? 

Children will be separated into boys and girls for changing You can help with this by allowing them to wear their swimming costume under their uniform. This will help make getting ready for lessons quicker. If they are wearing their costume, please remember to pack some underwear to change into after - we suggest a spare pair of sock as well.

We have made some improvements to our changing facilities , providing each student with an individual ‘changing pod’. We hope this will speed things up and prevent clothes from going missing! Please ensure that your child brings a large towel, as the distance from the changing pod to the pool is a short one and we want to keep everyone warm.

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