New Hydrotherapy Pool

Bailey Partnership is proud to announce the successful completion of the new advanced hydrotherapy pool for St Nicholas School, a specialist school for children & young people who have severe, complex or profound and multiple learning difficulties in Chippenham, Wiltshire.

Bailey Partnership was appointed as multi-disciplinary consultant for this project, which sees the culmination of seven years of fund-raising and planning, lead by the local Rotary Club.

The purpose designed 7m x 7m pool accommodates 15 users at any one time and assistance and interaction for those in the water can also be provided by teachers from the sunken walkway alongside one end of the pool.  The design incorporates ramp access with raised handrails and very wide steps to the pool and a mechanical hoist allowing easy and secure access for all from the Changing/Shower facilities. An interactive sensory system generates a range of coloured lighting effects and music to the pool area, controlled by floating waterproof switches.

All parties involved in the 11 month long construction process are delighted with the end result. The staff are especially grateful for the careful co-ordination and management of the project by Bailey Partnership that ensured that construction ran smoothly, with minimal disruption to the everyday life of the school.  The project was completed within the strict financial limits set by the fund raising initiatives.

Since the pool opened, regular sessions are increasing self confidence and motivation amongst the children and having a positive impact on behaviour.  Head Teacher Jill Owen said “We stuck to a dream for the kind of pool that we felt our children and young people deserved and the end result has not disappointed us”.

Not only will every child at St Nicholas now be able to swim regularly, the school is also using the pool as a resource for the local community, particularly for people who have disabilities who cannot access local pools.