Wrexham school shelves plans to close pool as it looks to redouble its “efforts to market it to local community”

A school swimming pool is set to remain open for the forthcoming year after proposals to close the facility were “shelved”.

The Maelor School, Penley, had been looking at closing its indoor 20 metre heated pool to help tackle a shortfall in funding.

Other options put forward to help the school make savings of between £30,000 and £40,000 included restricting the use of its facilities by local sports clubs outside of school time.

Earlier this year Wrexham.com reported on the grim warnings from various schools over the council’s budget plans – the ‘tough decisions’ being blamed by Wrexham Council Leader Mark Pritchard on the lack of funding flowing from Cardiff and Westminster.

A letter sent to parents last month said: “As with all schools in the local authority area, The Maelor School has had to manage a reduction in real terms funding over the last few years.

“The amounts we have both received from the council and in grants have increased, however they have not kept pace with inflation or core costs.

“The governing body has to prioritise spending over the next few years. The safety and welfare of our pupils, and the quality of their education, remain our priority.

“Together with the senior leadership of the school we have identified a number of cost savings that will not impact on the excellent learning outcomes that our pupils receive; however two of these proposals impact on our wider community and this is why we seek your views.

“Together, these proposals will save the school £30,000-£40,000 per year.”

However yesterday the school announced that the pool will remain open for the forthcoming year.

The school that a governors committee met on Monday and voted unanimously in favour of shelving plans for closing the pool and to redouble the school’s efforts to market it to the local community over the next year.

Headteacher Simon Ellis said: “We all felt very proud of our local community for campaigning to keep our pool, it is an important asset to the school and one that is vital in teaching pupils both young and old essential skills for life.

“I would like to thank the governors, local authority and community in joining together to keep the pool open.”

Business Manager Andy Heron said “Together with the local authority the school will be exploring ways to increase the pools usage over the coming year, the community are proud to have the pool and we want to see them able to use it.”