Sunderland school allowed swimming pool to be used during lockdown

Leisure centres and public pools were closed days before Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued the full lockdown alert on Monday, March 23.

But it has emerged Southmoor Academy agreed to let a group of adults use its facility on its Ryhope Road site during the lockdown.

Indoor pools are only allowed to open in England from Saturday, July 25.

Dr Phil Ingram, chief executive officer of the school, said: “After getting external professional advice and carrying out a risk assessment, the pool was briefly used by a small number of adult athletes in training for a total of 10 sessions.

"This was a goodwill gesture and not a commercial agreement, we commonly offer such services to the community.

“When we discovered that the advice we received was incorrect we immediately closed the pool and contacted Public Health England and Trading Standards, both of whom accept that an honest mistake was made and prompt action taken to rectify the situation.”

A spokesperson for Sunderland City Council said: “The city council has received information about the pool at Southmoor Academy. This matter is ongoing.”

Swimming schools expressed concern after they heard the school’s facility was being used.

One teacher, who didn’t want to be named. said : “For me, this is the worst thing you can do.

"All the clubs around the country have had to shut down, there are Paralympian and Olympian athletes who have not been able to train, so I would love to know who this group of athletes are and thought it was okay to use the pool.”

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