Spiralling energy bills and inflation mean thousands of schools up and down the country are being forced to make cuts that will see essential resources like swimming pools close – and Greater Manchester is sure to be hit hard.
Total Swimming Group, where Rebecca Adlington is a Director, is offering schools a lifeline with an energy bill pledge, meaning Greater Manchester schools can receive up to £60,000 each to help with rising heating and lighting costs.
According to research from Total Swimming Group, the average maintenance costs of a school pool including chemicals, gas, electricity and water, is nearly £40,000 and has risen 130% in the last year.*
The situation is so dire, Swim England’s Decade of Decline report estimates, based on current pool trends, that the number of available pools could decrease by 40%, equating to 2,000 public swimming pools closing over the next 10 years.
Four-time Olympic medallist, Rebecca Adlington said: “Within the Greater Manchester area, school swimming pools are at risk of closing. If they make the difficult decision to close, ultimately this is going to have a huge impact on children leaving primary school unable to swim.
“As a group, we are taking action now because we believe no child should miss out on learning to swim. It’s a human right, not a privilege – an essential skill that provides a foundation for positive health and wellbeing, and could even save their lives.”
Schools interested in taking up the energy pledge can apply via https://www.tsadevelopments.
