For more than 15 years, our private local swimming providers/ community groups have delivered high-quality swimming lessons from local school pool venues. These pools are more than just facilities—they are welcoming, familiar environments where children learn essential life skills, build confidence, and develop a lifelong ability to stay safe in and around water.

Over the years, we have built strong relationships with local families and established a trusted place within the community. Parents know the venues, children know the routines, and many have progressed through our programmes from their very first lesson to becoming confident swimmers. This consistency and familiarity are invaluable, particularly for younger children, disabilities, neurodivergent children, and those who may be anxious, sensory sensitivities, or benefit from predictable environments and trusted instructors.

Our lessons are designed to be inclusive and accessible, providing opportunities for children of all abilities and backgrounds to learn and thrive. For many disabled children and children with additional needs, swimming lessons are not just beneficial—they are essential. The familiar setting, established teaching teams, and supportive atmosphere help reduce anxiety, support communication and participation, and ensure every child feels comfortable, welcome, and able to achieve their potential.

However, this valued community service is now under threat.

Xcite plans to reallocate our long-established pool times to public swimming sessions and its own swimming programmes. This decision would force our lessons to relocate to smaller, older facilities that may not offer the same quality of environment, accessibility, or capacity for the children and families we currently support. For some disabled children, a change in venue can create significant barriers, including reduced accessibility, unfamiliar layouts, louder or busier surroundings, and the loss of the routines that help them take part safely and confidently.

This change is neither necessary nor beneficial. For many years, our swimming lessons have successfully coexisted alongside public swimming sessions, providing an important service without limiting community access to the pools. The proposed changes overlook the trust that families have placed in our programmes and the important role these lessons play in the wider community, especially for children who rely on consistency, specialist support, and inclusive teaching to participate fully.

The impact extends far beyond our local providers/community groups. Children may lose access to familiar instructors, established peer groups, and learning environments where they feel safe and confident. Progress that has been built through years of consistent attendance could be disrupted, particularly for children who struggle with change, have disabilities, or rely on familiar surroundings to participate fully. Parents would face increased travel times, additional inconvenience, and uncertainty about the continuity of their children's swimming education.

Swimming is not simply a recreational activity—it is a vital life skill. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn in an environment where they feel supported, included, and confident enough to succeed.

We are asking Xcite to maintain the current pool schedule and protect the swimming lessons that have served local children and families so successfully for more than 15 years.

Please sign this petition and help preserve the trusted, inclusive, and consistent swimming lessons that our communities rely on.

Every signature matters.