School sets up pop-up swimming pool to help pupils

A pop-up swimming pool has been set up on the grounds of a school in Derby to teach children how to swim.

Arboretum Primary School, in Corden Street, has invested in the pool instead of paying for children to travel to swimming lessons outside of school.

A spokesperson for the school said about 100 children a week had been learning to swim since the pool was set up on 23 February.

Head teacher Helen Phillips said having the 10-metre (32ft) pool on school grounds was a "much more efficient use of time" compared to lessons at other facilities.

Phillips added: "Some children who are nervous about swimming have been more accepting because you can say things like, 'Look, the water's lovely', and they can see their friends having a go.

"A lot of children have gone from being very unsure to overcoming their initial fears and being able to get on and swim."

Year 4 pupils have had daily 30-minute sessions, while Year 6 pupils have also had additional sessions.

An after-school club has also been launched for Year 1 and Year 2 pupils.

Swim instructor Wayne Cummings said it had been a rewarding experience teaching the children.

He added: "On the first day, a lot of the children had never been in a swimming pool before.

"After three weeks, we've managed to get almost all of Year 4 swimming.

"For me, as a teacher and a coach, it's been one of the most rewarding experiences that I've had in 30 years being involved in aquatic sport."

The pool, provided by Next Level Sports and run through Elite Swimming UK as part of the Pools to Schools initiative, is housed in a marquee on site.

A spokesperson for the school said it was hoping to bring back the pool next year.

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