We’re thrilled to announce that the Gorse Hill Primary School pop-up swimming pool is officially open and ready for lessons! This exciting addition to our school provides a fantastic opportunity for children to develop confidence, learn essential water safety skills, and discover a lifelong love for swimming.
Swimming is not only a fun and healthy activity—it’s an important life skill. By offering lessons on-site, we’re ensuring that every child has the chance to build these skills in a safe, supportive environment.
This initiative has been organised to provide a vital life skill to pupils and parents and to help meet National Curriculum requirements.The Primary National Curriculum states that all schools must provide swimming instruction in either Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2.
Pupils should be taught to:
- swim competently, confidently, and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres
- use a range of strokes effectively (for example, front crawl, backstroke, and breaststroke)
- perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations
Headteacher Candida Hutchinson shared her excitement:
“We are delighted to offer this incredible facility to our pupils. Swimming is such an important skill, and having our own pool means every child can learn in a familiar, supportive setting. We can’t wait to see the joy and confidence this brings to our school community.”
"Here’s to many splashes, smiles, and successes in the pool!"
Dan Nicholls, CEO at The White Horse Federation, commented:
“This initiative is a wonderful example of how our schools and local communities can work together to create opportunities for all. It ensures access to experiences that some children might not otherwise have, and it reflects the incredible commitment of our staff and Trust partners who continue to inspire and enrich lives.”