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Swimming Season

Meldreth Primary School’s swimming pool is a fantastic resource funded entirely by our Parent Teacher Association (PTA), for the benefit of all children at our school. It receives no financial support from the Local Authority or school budget, making it a truly community-supported facility.

Our school staff are trained to teach swimming and receive annual First Aid training, ensuring that all children from Early Years through to Year 6 have the opportunity to learn to swim during their time at Meldreth.

A Proud History

The original open-air pool was built on the school site over 53 years ago, thanks to a huge fundraising effort and voluntary contributions in the 1960s. It has since provided generations of children with vital water safety and swimming lessons.
Click here to find out more on the Meldreth History site

Ongoing Support

Our dedicated staff members maintain the pool daily as Pool Carers, ensuring it is safe and ready for lessons. A team of parent volunteers supports us by:

  • Fundraising year-round to keep the pool open

  • Managing the pool accounts

  • Contributing to ongoing maintenance

We are extremely grateful for their continued support.

Swimming at Meldreth

The National Curriculum requires all primary schools to teach swimming in Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2. At Meldreth, we go further by offering:

  • Swimming lessons from Reception to Year 3 in our school pool

  • Deep water swimming for Years 5 and 6 at McSplash

Curriculum Aims

Children are taught to:

  • Swim competently, confidently, and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres

  • Use a range of strokes effectively (e.g. front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke)

  • Perform safe self-rescue in various water-based situations

Inclusive and Enjoyable Learning

Lessons are full of fun activities and water games, designed to build skills while ensuring enjoyment. Staff carefully adapt each session to support children of all confidence levels and abilities, helping everyone achieve their full potential.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How deep is the pool?

The water level in our pool is 75 cm deep. This is approximately chest height for our youngest children and waist height for our oldest.

How warm is the school pool?

The pool temperature is maintained at approximately 34–35°C to ensure comfort and warmth for all swimmers.

Who teaches my child’s swimming lessons?

Our class teachers, who know your child well, lead the swimming lessons. They receive annual training in swimming instruction and water-specific first aid.

Is the teacher in the water during lessons?

No, all swimming lessons are led from the side of the pool.

Does the whole class swim at the same time?

No, children are grouped according to their water confidence and ability. Group sizes are always fewer than 12 children.

What programme will my child follow?

Lessons follow the Cambridgeshire County Council’s scheme of work for teaching Physical Education.

Will my child work towards a level or badge?

Yes, children are awarded certificates as they progress through our scheme of work.

Are lessons tailored to different ability levels?

Yes, as in all our lessons, learning is adapted to meet each child's individual needs, including swimming ability and confidence.

How long will my child spend in the water during each lesson?

Typically, children spend 20–25 minutes in the pool per session.

Do you liaise with local swimming centres?

We work closely with parents to understand each child’s water confidence. As children progress and earn new certificates, we communicate this progress back to you.

If I volunteer to help, will I need to swim?

No. While we value your support, we will not ask you to get into the water.


How Parents Can Support at Home

Confidence is key when learning to swim. One of the best ways to support your child is by helping them become comfortable going underwater and resurfacing safely.

Try these simple activities:
1. Underwater Retrieval Games

  • Start in shallow water. Throw a small object into the pool and have your child retrieve it.

  • At first, they may only need to bend down to get it, but try to encourage them to go just deep enough to put their head under water.

  • Use goggles to protect their eyes and help them feel more confident.

2. The “Rocket” Game

  • Take your child to water that is chest-deep.

  • Ask them to squat down until their head is just underwater. You can say hello under the water to reassure them.

  • Then, have them jump up and launch out of the water like a rocket!

Tip: Gradually move to slightly deeper water as their confidence grows, but always ensure they can safely stand up and never push beyond their comfort level.

What our Parents say...

"I am thrilled to report that as a result of the swimming sessions my daughter participated in at Meldreth Primary School she has progressed to the next level in her out of school lessons. It has been a joy to watch her go from being nervous in the water and reluctant to get her head wet to seeing her jump into the pool with a big splash and then swim under the water. Swimming regularly with peers has provided her with a new confidence and allowed her enjoy swimming as a physical activity."