Pop-up Pool: more stamina, a self-esteem boost, and even better handwriting

Over 160 children have benefitted from daily swimming lessons thanks to a pop-up swimming pool at Manor Field Schools, Basingstoke.

The pop-up pool was set up in the grounds of the school in the summer term. The children were able to swim for 45 minutes every day for three weeks, starting with increasing their water confidence and vital skills like floating. The daily nature of the lessons has meant many of the children have progressed to swimming lengths of the 10m pool, some of whom had never entered the water before.

A Self Esteem Boost

Teachers and staff have all reported how much the children have looked forward to the lessons every day and, in addition to vital swimming skills, have observed the children have more stamina, a self-esteem boost, and even better handwriting thanks to an increase in core strength.

In addition to Year 2 PE lessons, the pool has been used for after school clubs for children in other year groups and catch-up lessons for children in Year 3.  It’s also encouraged some families to access pools at leisure facilities locally outside of school.

Teamwork and Enthusiasm

In their first year Manor Field Schools have used Opening Schools Facilities Funding, through Energise Me and Sport England. Because the fund has allowed them to pilot the project and make sustainable changes to the power supply, the school and staff are already committed to swimming next year by using the Sports Premium to bring the pool back.

The infant and junior school on the same site teamed up to expand the offer and offset some of the costs.

As well as the clear enthusiasm from students, the school credits the response from parents for making it such a success. All have been supportive of the scheme, allowing their children to take part and ensuring they have necessary kit to take part – although there was some on standby if it was forgotten.

Infant School Head Teacher Lawrence Britt would urge any other school interested to go and see it in action for themselves. “It may sound like a project bound with red tape – but it really is not as bad as you’d think. The smiles on all the faces of the children will make it all worthwhile.”

Have you thought differently about including more activity in your school day? We’re always looking for stories of how Schools have increased activity levels by trying something new, or perhaps opened up facilities to create a more active community. Whatever it is tell us at info@energiseme.org

• Get buy-in early. Whether that’s teachers, governors or parents, if you believe in it, you’ll be able to sell the idea to them.
• Tweak your timetable. Think about the best time of day for your students to swim – Manor Field tweaked their lesson plans and timetable to account for the swimming lessons. Students didn’t mind swapping 10 minutes off their lunch break for pool time.
• Account for security. To make sure you keep the pool secure and the community safe you’ll need to budget for secure fencing around the site.
• Expand the offer. Really make the most of having the pool on-site by using it for after school provision. Manor Field have shared the pool and some of the cost with the Junior school on the same site.