NORTHWICH cannot afford to fail on finding a solution to a potential swimming lessons crisis, a councillor has said.

After Sir John Deane's College confirmed it was permanently closing its pool, concerns have been raised about the impact it will have on children learning to swim.

Swimming and water safety has been part of the national curriculum since 1994. It means every child leaving primary school should be able to swim at least 25 metres and have skills to stay safe in water.

Cllr Andrew Cooper has been involved in discussions with Chris Story of the Vale Royal School Sports Partnership about finding solutions to an ever-increasing problem.

"In a town like Northwich, which is surrounded by water, it’s especially important that children learn how to be safe around our rivers, lakes and canals," he said.

"For many years the swimming pool at Sir John Deane’s College has been part of the mix of pools available for primary schools to teach children to swim. Understandably, the college were forced to close the pool during the height of pandemic and have not been able to re-open it since.

"Clearly the college are entitled to look at the running costs of what is now a very old pool, and weigh the extent they’re subsidising the facility for community use against spending on teaching A-levels to sixth formers. 

"Regardless of the reasons, however, it does present a problem for primary schools given the limited supply of school swimming places at the Brio-run leisure centres, not to mention places for private swimming lessons."

Some schools across Northwich have chosen innovative solutions, including pop-up swimming pools in playgrounds.

Cllr Cooper added: "I am aware of other schools in the area, though, that have not been able to provide swimming for their children, meaning they’re not currently able to meet their National Curriculum obligations.

"Strictly speaking, this is not an area in which the council has any powers – the duty is on the Secretary of State – but this is one of those areas where if local councillors don’t advocate for our children, realistically, who will?

"Along with Mike Amesbury MP and my colleague Cllr Sam Naylor, we will continue to speak to the college and other partners such as Vale Royal School Sports Partnership and Swim England to try and find a solution to this – whether that’s some kind of funding to keep the pool open, or finding a way to increase the availability for primary schools at Northwich Memorial Court and Winsford Lifestyle Centre.

"On this we can’t afford to fail."