Hartlepool's Springwell School to get new hydrotherapy pool - providing 'great benefit' to pupils with special needs

Hartlepool Borough Council Children’s Services Committee unanimously approved funding the plans to improve the existing facilities at Springwell School.

Following a condition survey of Springwell School in autumn 2019, the replacement of the hydrotherapy pool was highlighted as a priority, after being open ‘well over 10 years and beyond its expected use’.

In March 2020, Children’s Services Committee initially approved £60,000 to replace the hydrotherapy pool and £22,400 to renew the flooring and showers.

However during initial meetings the headteacher asked if a feasibility and costing exercise could be undertaken to include a higher specification pool and confirmed the school would fund additional costs.

The feasibility, design and costing exercise has now concluded, and councillors on the committee have approved making extra funds available for a larger improved facility.

Cllr Brenda Harrison said: “It really does need a whole makeover and a completely new kind of facility, and the school will benefit greatly from what has been suggested.

“I think we’re very proud of the special educational facilities that are in our town and the more that we can support those in any way the better.”

Council leader Cllr Shane Moore also said it ‘goes without question’ the improved hydrotherapy pool is needed at the school.

Springwell caters for children with a range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) including those with profound and multiple learning difficulties.

Due to their complex health needs, hydrotherapy is considered an essential component of their educational entitlement and it is recommended the children should access it at least twice per week, according to council chiefs.

They also noted the current pool at Springwell is too small, with only 1 or 2 children able to access it at one time with 1 or 2 adults supporting per child.

Cllr Jim Lindridge said: “I think it goes without saying the benefits are really important for young people from a mental health capacity, and also the added value benefits to the family knowing they’ve got the comfort their children are being well looked after.”

The benefits the pool can provide for children with complex health needs include assisting movements of joints, stimulating senses, and calming and easing pains to allow children to engage more in classrooms.

Movement in the water and water pressure also helps enable more efficient lung functions and reduces the risk of chest infections developing.

Cllr Leisa Smith, chair of the committee, said: “There’s nobody here would argue against the need for the hydrotherapy pool and how much it would benefit the children of the school, if not outside the school as well if they use that as a provision.”

The additional funding needed for the project can be sourced from the council’s special provision capital fund.

The fund can only be used to create new school places and improve existing facilities for children and young people with SEND with an education, health and care plan, which all Springwell students have.

The plans are also subject to the school agreeing to increase their 10% standard schools contribution to 10% of the Local Authority funding for the plans.

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