Local schoolchildren will continue accessing free swimming at Ravelin Sports Centre thanks to support from the University.
The University granted pupils from Year 6 at Milton Park Primary School access to free weekly swimming sessions at Ravelin Sports Centre during the summer term. The school is part of the University of Portsmouth Academy Trust (UPAT), and receives support from the University to help pupils and families engage with higher education and access new opportunities.
However the school found the cost and logistics of transporting pupils to and from the lessons prohibitive, and there was a risk they’d miss out on the chance to learn and practise their swimming skills. The University stepped in to offer our University Bus service for free to transport the children across the city, making sure they could take advantage of our new state-of-the-art sports facilities.
Wendy Fowler, Headteacher at Milton Park Primary School said: “When I told the children they all gave a massive cheer! They are so excited and feel very privileged to be able to use the university services, so thank you from them as well as myself and the staff, parents too. I can't tell you how grateful we are, and proud to be part of UPAT, and that thanks to our collaboration together we can make this happen for our children.”
Graham Galbraith, Vice-Chancellor, said: “It’s always a pleasure to hear about the University making a difference in our local community - especially with our UPAT schools. The University is proud to be able to support these pupils to access swimming lessons they otherwise would have missed out on, and I'm pleased this will make a difference to Milton Park Primary’s students’ development and enjoyment.”
Paul Tilley, Director of Sport & Recreation, said: “UoP Sport provides free swimming for 12 local schools and so far since Ravelin Sports Centre opened in September 2022 nearly 1,500 children have benefitted with over 15,000 swims recorded. 7 other schools are also regular pool users and a further 750 children have recorded nearly 8,000 swim attendances.
“The swimming lesson program has 700 children swimming every week, over 50 weeks a year, which adds a further 35,000 swim attendances. Added to that are family swim sessions and local clubs (Portsmouth Northsea & Portsmouth Victoria Sync) which have seen a further 600 children recording 8,000 swim attendances.
“So in total we are looking at over 66,000 swimming visits by children to our swimming pool in a calendar year!”
About University of Portsmouth Academy Trust
The University of Portsmouth Academy Trust was established in 2021 to improve educational outcomes and life chances for local communities in the Portsmouth Harbour region.
UPAT aims to increase understanding of and participation in Higher Education for primary schools and their pupils. Pupils and their families will be encouraged to engage with the University from an early age through special events, while staff will benefit from development and progression supported by the School of Education, Languages and Linguistics in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
UPAT currently consists of three local primary schools:
- Cottage Grove Primary School, Southsea
- Milton Park Primary School, Southsea
- Woodcot Primary School, Gosport