Stoke-on-trent sport and physical activity strategy 2009-2016

47. The chart in Figure 6 also shows that with the exception of Sunderland, <strong>Stoke</strong>on-Trenthas the most total water space amongst its comparator authorities. Itshould be noted however that these water space figures include all types ofindoor swimming pool, including private pools which have no community use.48. The Facilities Planning Model from Sport England provides a better assessmentof available water space. The figure from the FPM analysis is around 17.5 sq mof water space per 1000 population in 2007, compared to the national average of13.1 sq m, and the regional average of 12.2 sq m per thousand population. Evenwith this more accurate assessment it is clear that <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent has a muchhigher level of existing water space than most authorities across the country.The large area of leisure water space at Waterworld skews these figuressomewhat, but even if Waterworld is excluded, there is still more than sufficientwater space in ‘normal’ pools for <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent’s residents to go swimming.Swimming and young people49. Swimming has a unique position within the physical education curriculum, beingboth a life and a life saving skill, opening access to a wide range of other waterbased activities, and helping maintain a healthy lifestyle. In addition, swimmingis recognised as one of the highest participation activities for adults, beingsecond only after walking. It is also the most quoted when people are asked whatactivity they would like to take up or do more.50. The commitment to achieving and sustaining a more active population in <strong>Stoke</strong>on-Trentis therefore largely reliant on ensuring that everyone can swim, andhave relatively easy access to an ‘attractive’ pool. <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent City Councilhas offered free swimming to those aged over 60 from April 1st 2009 and to theunder 16s from September 1st 2009 in support of the government’s freeswimming initiative. However there has been a notable decline over the last fewyears in the swimming abilities of young people, shown by declining levels ofschools swimming attainment. This has a potentially serious impact on the longterm ability of people in <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent to swim, and possibly as a consequencea further fall in overall physical activity levels across the City.51. The recent decline in Key Stage 2 school swimming attainment is the result of anumber of factors, including the closure of a number of school pools. Thecurrent proposals to change the swimming pool network across the City couldresult in further decline unless actions are taken to counter the potentialproblems. However the attainment levels should be able to be increased if keydecisions are made to change the priorities and availability of pools. Thecurricular swimming needs are covered in more detail later in this report and areNortoft Partnerships Ltd <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent Page | 111Sport & Physical Activity Strategy 2009-2016October 2009