CHILDREN at Selworthy School will now benefit from the use of a brand-new hydrotherapy pool which has officially been opened.

The £1.8m facility at the Hazelbrook campus at the special school in Taunton will provide major benefits for children and young people with complex disabilities.

The project was funded by Somerset County Council and opened by the Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Mrs Annie Maw.

The Lord-Lieutenant said: “I am delighted to hear that a swimming pool will soon be in constant use by learners at Selworthy School.

"I know myself how liberating being in the water is to those of us who have certain limitations. Mine are physical and, as a wheelchair user, for me swimming brings tremendous pleasure and a sense of freedom.”

Somerset County Gazette: (Left to Right) – Hazelbrook student Dylan and Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Mrs Annie Maw cut the opening ribbon, overseen by Hazelbrook school Head Teacher, Mr Mark Ruffett.(Left to Right) – Hazelbrook student Dylan and Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Mrs Annie Maw cut the opening ribbon, overseen by Hazelbrook school Head Teacher, Mr Mark Ruffett.

Selworthy School is a special school for young people aged 4-19 years with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).

The Hazelbrook campus finished construction in 2019 and has around 100 secondary and sixth form pupils with a range of complex needs.

As well as helping the school meet the therapeutic needs of young people with disabilities, the new pool will also be available for hire by swimming classes and community groups.

Hazelbrook school head teacher, Mr Mark Ruffett, said: “This provision has the potential to be life-changing to elements of our community.

"Having a readily accessible, first-class facility will allow our learners to be provided with therapeutic support like never before.

“The pool will be available to hire for local swim schools and is perfectly suited to parent & baby/toddler sessions and will also be available to the community to hire for hydrotherapy.

Councillor Tessa Munt, Somerset County Council’s lead executive member for children and families, said: “We want to invest in the very best facilities to bring out the very best in our children and young people.

"A pool like this is so important in the development of young people with particular needs and disabilities."

"Somerset County Council is proud to provide this pool as part of our School Build Programme to enable our learners to exercise without pain, build up their confidence, and have a lot of fun all at the same time.

"We are committed to improving SEND provision with a further investment of £10m in SEND programmes in addition to the £60m already earmarked."