Havering (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Ardleigh Green Junior School in Havering has applied to lift restrictions on its refurbished swimming pool’s opening hours, aiming for better community access.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Havering Council had accepted plans for Ardleigh Green Junior School to renovate the school’s on-site pool.
Along with a new heating system and restrooms, the pool will have a new roof erected.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the school ceased to use the facilities, which were built in the 1950s.
Conditional clearance was given to the pool designs, however there were restrictions on the operating hours.
Havering Council decided that “between the hours of 8am to 6pm on Mondays to Fridays” should be the only time that people could use the facilities.
The school’s most recent application aimed to change this rule so that the pool could be utilized on weekends and bank holidays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The application was accompanied by a letter from Andrew Frater, chief operating officer of Empower Learning Academy Trust.
He wrote:
“We have been granted planning permission to install a glass cover on the roof of our pool to enable year-round use, which we greatly appreciate.
However, the new restriction on weekend and bank holiday usage poses challenges for our educational and extracurricular programmes.
The ability to use the pool during these times is crucial for our planned nurture lessons, which are designed to support our weaker swimmers in developing their skills and confidence in a more focused and less crowded environment.
These classes will consist of no more than four students at a time, ensuring personalised attention and safety.”
He added that the weekend and bank holiday sessions are particularly important for students who may not have the opportunity to attend additional lessons during the regular school week due to various commitments.
Accepting the change will allow the school to continue providing children with “valuable educational opportunities” while using the “full potential” of the pool, the school hopes.
The deadline for a decision is April 16.
What was the community response on the pool restrictions?
The school’s initiatives to remove pool limitation is welcomed by parents and students because they may open up more chances for extracurricular activities and swimming lessons.
If limits are removed, some neighborhood members may voice concerns about safety, particularly if they contend that more usage could jeopardize standards of upkeep or oversight.
The school community may actively engage in any consultation procedures pertaining to the usage of the pool, including suggestions on how limitations might be handled to strike a balance between accessibility and safety.
The community may view the possibility of expanding swimming programs favorably since it improves physical education possibilities and encourages students’ health and wellbeing.
However, it is important to make sure there is adequate oversight and safety precautions in place when using the pool.
If pool equipment is malfunctioning or maintenance schedules are not being followed, restrictions may be put in place.