1. General Information

Cutcombe School Pool is located on the grounds of Cutcombe School, on the edge of Exmoor, Somerset.

During school hours, the main gate to the school is locked. Entry can be gained using the keypad entry system.

The pool complex is accessible through a wooden gate at the left corner of the staff carpark immediately outside the school building.

For safety, the pool gate is locked when unoccupied. Your booking confirmation email and your 24-hour reminder email will contain the code to the combination lock. It is your responsibility to read the booking confirmation email or notify us should you not receive it.

Entry to the pool is through a series of wooden gates which will be unlocked once you are through the initial wooden gate with the key pad.

The changing rooms are the last 2 sheds before the pool entrance. And the toilet is directly opposite them. Please remove all nappies and sanitary products with you.

The pool is heated and usually maintained at around 30°C.

Please remove all muddy footwear before you step onto the AstroTurf area. Leave shoes outside changing rooms.

Rinse feet in clean water prior to entering the pool.

The pool is a constant depth of 1.2m.

The maximum number of bathers who can use the pool at any one time is 12.

Pool water quality is maintained by the trained pool maintenance manager. Pure pools oversee ongoing maintenance.

2. Potential Risk Factors

In addition to the risk posed by poor or non-swimmers, the following factors must be considered:

Bathing immediately after eating can be dangerous.

Incapacity due to illness or injury.

Poor water quality and/or poor lighting/glare from sun.

Incorrect and/or recent water treatment.

Over crowding

Broken glass

Electrical failure

Adverse weather conditions such as thunderstorms

Fecal release/blood/vomit

Lost child – everyone must vacate the pool and check the bottom of the pool for the lost child.

Heater failure - Bathers can be incapacitated by cold water.

Please see risk assessment document for further information

3. Supervision Requirements

To ensure the safety of bathers, the following supervision requirements must be implemented:

Prior to use, check the integrity of the pool and its surroundings (e.g. items in the bottom of the pool).

For 1 swimmer up to a maximum of 12 swimmers, there must be a minimum of 2 supervisors, one of whom must meet the Supervision Standards below, with a ratio of 1 adult to 2 children.  Under 8s must have an adult in the water with them, 4 - 7 year olds have a ratio of one adult to two children in the water and under 4s have a ratio of one adult to one child

Supervisors must remain at/in the pool side at all times dependent on the ages of the children while there are bathers in or near the water.

Supervisors must be in a position where they can continually scan the pool at all depths, rotating positions is recommended

Supervisors must be fully conversant with the Emergency Action Plan.

The maximum continuous length of duty for a supervisor is one hour. A 20-minute break must be taken after this period. If no relief is available, bathing must cease until this period is complete.

It is recommended that supervisors rotate supervision points regularly during the session to prevent lapses in concentration.

Supervisors must be enforce the pool rules

4. Supervision Standards

Qualifications for supervisors of swimming sessions:
  1. They must be able to swim, indicating a level of water confidence.
  2. They must hold a current Public First Aid Certificate, a First Aid at Work Certificate, or an Emergency First Aid Certificate, allowing them to administer CPR and use the AED.
  3. They must be able to recover a casualty from the pool and, if necessary, use rescue equipment (e.g. poles, torpedo).

5. Accident Reporting

The Accident Book and Accident Report Forms are kept in the First Aid Box. The page must be torn out and a copy sent to focs2021@outlook.com as soon as possible.

An entry must be made in the accident book, and an accident form completed for any incident resulting from the use of the pool.

Any incident necessitating the evacuation of the pool or use of the First Aid Kit must be reported to focs2021@outlook.com.

6. Emergency Equipment

A First Aid Kit is kept in the Storage Box within the pool area (see Accident Reporting). This kit should only be opened in case of an emergency. If any items are used please notify FOCES as soon as possible so it can be replaced.

There is a pole by the shed.

Defibrillator is located in the Storage Box with the First Aid Kit

Bleed kit is located on the front school fence.

7. Telephones

One of the supervisors MUST have a working mobile phone available for use in an emergency AT ALL TIMES.

8. Vehicle Access

The closest vehicle access to the pool is in the staff car park to the front of the school building.

WHAT3WORDS = mess.bearings.envoy

9. Safeguarding

Friends of Cutcombe and Exford Schools is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable individuals who use our facilities. When hiring the school pool, it is essential that all users adhere to our safeguarding and supervision policies. Children must be supervised at all times by responsible adults, and no child should ever be left unattended in or around the pool area. Any safeguarding concerns must be reported immediately to our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Rosy Arch
Phone: 07748808211/07947994052

Email: rosyarch@moorlandfed.co.uk