Parents launch campaign to save Overstone Primary School swimming pool in Wing

The School had planned a series of fundraisers pre pandemic but now unfortunately they couldn't go ahead because of coronavirus restrictions.

The pool was built in 1957 and the lining to the pool has gradually become worn over time.

This is now ripped which renders the pool unusable until it can be fixed.

School children from Overstone Primary School now have to be shipped across the county to learn how to swim.

This service is also only available to a limited number of classes due to the number and age of the younger pupils and sadly, many children are now missing out on those essential first swimming lessons.

During the lining removal, the pool was dug out by parents and children with pick-axes with no machinery.

Eventually the school will also need to also replace the roof which was put on the pool in 1978 and opened by Noel Edmonds!

Miss Shelley Thomas, parent and PTA member said: "We are asking for your help in keeping this important community resource alive, so that our children (past, present, and future) can continue to benefit from it.

"Learning how to swim is such an important skill for any child and often the lessons they get at school are the only chance they get to actually put their feet in the water as swimming lessons locally are costly and waiting lists long.

"On a personal note, I learnt to swim in this pool, as did my brother, and it was only because of this that at the age of 9 he saved the life of our ‘then’ 2 year old sister when she was drowning.

"Without the vital swimming skills I picked up here, who knows what may have happened."

Unfortunately over the years, the school roof has also deteriorated to a point where it will need to be replaced, which is the next job for the school.

Miss Shelley continued: "The roof to the pool is also now in a dilapidated state and will need replacing in the near future.

"Those of you who have had the pleasure of learning to swim in the school pool may also remember the chilly walk outside between the changing rooms and the pool building, since moving the changing rooms this walk is now even longer.

"This clearly needs modernising and it’s something which we also hope to address in the future, if funding permits."

The school are hoping that the kind Aylesbury Vale and Buckinghamshire public will donate to this great cause, to make sure children aren't leaving primary school without learning vital swimming skills.

"Please, please give anything you can to this cause - however big or small.

"We understand that during Covid a lot of people are struggling and funds are short, but we cannot let this cause slip us by.

"I will personally start off the donations by giving £100 that I would normally be spending on commuting to work."

If you'd like to donate to this great cause, please visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/keep-our-children-swimming-at-overstone-school