Dear Members,

Following recent guidance updates made to the Government’s website, I’m writing to clarify the important changes that have been made in relation to the provision of swimming lessons in England.  All the rules are simply explained here to ensure compliance, not only for your own personal and public safety but to ensure you are covered by insurance.

• ALL indoor and outdoor public and private swimming pools in England closed for swimming lessons from 5^th November for 28 days.
  • This also includes all lessons in private residential homes as confirmed by the Government: “Personal trainers and sports coaches should only provide training in public outdoor spaces, such as parks.  They should not provide ANY training in private homes or gardens.”
  • No 1-2-1 lessons held in private or endless pools can take place either.

• The ONLY exemption to the rules are for school swimming lessons:
  • School swimming lessons organised as part of a school’s normal national curriculum programme can continue as normal, in their own school pool or at their ‘regular’ local pool if that operator chooses to open for school swimming lessons only.
  • • • For clarity a school is defined as “an educational institute, which is outside of the further education sector and the <wider> higher education sector and is an institute for providing primary and secondary education, or both.

    Note: school pools cannot externally rent their pools for non-curriculum private swimming lessons.

• Boarding Schools are also permitted to run after school activity only for their own boarding pupils. Any activity providing ‘childcare’ is exempt from the regulations, and in this case the children are under the care of the boarding school throughout the week, even when outside of timetabled school hours. In this context, the school is able to hold ‘after school’ swimming clubs for boarders (non-boarders are not permitted under the guidance).

If any further changes occur, we will continue to provide updates.

Also, if there are any scenarios which you may need further clarification and authorisation on, we would always advise you check with your insurers and / or your local authority (EHO).

As usual, we are here too, to provide support.

Stay Safe.

Dave Candler

STA CEO