43 GRANARD SCHOOL:SPN Master pages 18/5/09 22:55 Page 1
spnfeature
PUTNEY POOL IS
“a gift for life”
ranard School in Putney has “The project is a tremendous
G
been celebrating a new, modern achievement and has exceeded my
12.5 metres, high quality expectations“ says Glynis Cobb, “It’s
swimming pool which will amazing what you can do with a redundant
provide pupils with a gift for life. kitchen with a bit of planning. We are so
The old kitchens beneath the assembly proud to be one of the very few primary
hall were converted by the London state schools in Wandsworth with a new
Swimming Pool Company and a team of swimming pool. Once we’ve got our own
other professionals. feet wet, we look forward to opening up
The official opening was made extra the pool facility to the other 12 primary
special when MP Justine Greening donned schools that belong to our ‘cluster’ and to
her swimming costume together with Head the public in the form of adult swim
Teacher Glynis Cobb and Chairman of the lessons for example.”
Board of Governors, John Marston, and Overall, Granard School has performed
jumped into the pool for a two-length race. very well in sports, however, swimming
Rachel May, from Year 4 said: “I felt has not been a strong area to date. The
really excited because the pool was so findings from a feasibility study showed needed to find a pool contractor
nice and not cold!” and Abbie Furlong, of that although 98% of the parents felt that experienced in designing and
Year 6 added: “I only expected it to be a being able to swim was an important life constructing bespoke swimming pools
pool but it had changing rooms with skill, a very low percentage of the pupils and facilities in schools. I visited a
lockers and keys, mirrors and hair dryers.” at the school could actually swim more number of schools with pools last summer
Mrs Cobb, said: “Seeing the pupil’s than 5 metres. This may not be so hard until it was recommended that I contact
reactions and enjoying that first swim with to understand when you consider that London Swimming Pool Company who
them was the highlight of the evening - a the lengthy walk between school and has managed the project in a very
memory not be forgotten!” There were leisure centre leaves very little quality professional manner and stayed ahead of
not many dry eyes at the end of what had time in the water. the process at every stage.”
been a very moving event and an inspired “Perhaps it’s even a venture which will The look of the completed pool is
parent declared that she would now inspire other schools to reflect on their pretty and fresh with a light blue blend
definitely learn how to swim. needs and how they can be ceramic mosaic tiled interior finish
The prospect of building a pool at accommodated in-house by making better complemented by shiny stainless steel
Granard School came about when the use of and modify existing facilities.” In fittings. The ultra-violet water treatment
school was part of the National pilot for the addition, the use of the pool will help system ensures a superior crystal clear
Extended Services scheme which started in Granard school to promote pupil wellbeing water quality requiring minimal chlorine
2001 and plays a role in achieving the aims and meet the fitness objectives of the and other chemicals that can irritate
of The Every Child Matters Agenda in the Healthy Schools Programme. asthma sufferers and users with respiratory
Government’s Children’s Plan. John Marston, Chairman of the Board difficulties. An art wave reducing
By 2010 all schools are expected to of Governors, is like Mrs Cobb a keen technology incorporated in the floats
offer extra services to the pupils and their swimmer, and came up with the idea that along the competition lane ropes leaves
families, staff and people in the the Granard pool should measure 12.5 the surface of the water as flat as possible.
community. Last summer it was decided metres in length so that the Curriculum The pool hall features showers and toilets
that the kitchen area at lower ground level requirement would be exactly equal to and accommodation for disabled access
at Granard School had become too two lengths therefore making it a neat and the pool itself is designed with
inefficient to work in, the opportunity was goal for the pupils to aim for. “In order training steps allowing for limited mobility
taken to realise a vision. to get exactly what we wanted, we users. spn
“IT’S AMAZING WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH A REDUNDANT
KITCHEN WITH A BIT OF PLANNING. WE ARE SO PROUD
TO BE ONE OF THE VERY FEW PRIMARY STATE SCHOOLS
IN WANDSWORTH WITH A NEW SWIMMING POOL”
Visit our website at
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk JUNE 09 swimming pool news 43
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