“The below statement preceded the updated guidance issued December 2024 which can be found here. It remains, the STA, Swim England and Swim Wales position that the organisations do not endorse the use of any pool not meeting the standards set out in the December 2024 guidance.”

Industry partners STA, Swim England and Swim Wales have today published a joint statement on the use of temporary, ‘pop-up’ pools.

The full statement can be read here

More and more of these pools are in operation across the country, particularly for the delivery of school swimming and water safety lessons. Often these types of pools are designed for domestic, family use and concerns remain about their ability to meet health and safety requirements when used in a commercial setting with a massively increased number of pool users.

Whilst our organisations want to see access to opportunities to learn to swim widened for more children to benefit from, the safety and wellbeing of all participants must be the number one priority.

For this reason, at this stage, STA, Swim England and Swim Wales do not endorse the use of ‘pop-up pools’ for the delivery of school swimming and water safety lessons.

Any school considering the use of such a pool is encouraged to read the attached statement.