Major Investment Planned to Keep Hydrotherapy Pool Open at High Tunstall College of Science!

Last minute investment in a much-used hydrotherapy pool in Hartlepool has saved it from permanent closure.

The hydrotherapy pool, located at High Tunstall College of Science, was forced to close last summer in need of urgent repairs to its pools filtration system. Additional works were also required to the rundown changing room facilities.

High Tunstall College of Science has now been able to secure urgent funding for the works to allow the facility to re-open. The works are likely to cost around £50,000 to complete and are being funded through £25,000 from Hartlepool Borough Council’s Schools Capital Works Programme 2025-26.

The school has also been able to secure private investment from Hartlepool-based company Water Babies Tees Valley, of a further £25,000 to cover the remaining costs of the works. Water Babies, which delivers swimming lessons for babies in Durham and the Tees Valley, has used the facilities on a commercial basis for a number of years along with other swim schools and primary schools.

Mark Tilling, High Tunstall College of Science Headteacher, said: “Sadly our hydrotherapy pool and changing facilities need some works completed to allow the pool to remain open. This is a vital resource for our school and local community and is used by both our students and the local people. Following discussions with a number of stakeholders, we have been able to achieve funding through the Schools Capital Works Programme but that still wasn’t enough to cover the cost of the works required.

“Therefore, following discussions with organisations who use the pool, we received an offer of investment from Water Babies Tees Valley to help fund the remaining costs of the works. Now that funding has been secured, we are able to keep the hydrotherapy pool open and complete the required works.”

The improvements will also pave the way for a greater number of schools across Hartlepool to be able to access the hydrotherapy pool. This will be a vital facility for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Pamela Hargreaves, Owner of Water Babies Tees Valley, said: “As the owner of a Hartlepool-based company and as someone raising my young family in our town, my focus is always Hartlepool. Yes, this is a big outlay for us, but the value to our community far outweighs the cost to me. The hydrotherapy pool provides much needed facilities for our local community. I am delighted that we have been able to help provide High Tunstall College of Science with the additional funding required to save this pool. We’re proud to support the school and our community so that as many Hartlepool children as possible have access to a swimming pool.”

Carl Jorgeson, CEO of Hartlepool Sport, added: “I’m delighted to see this investment in the hydrotherapy pool. Without it, the facility might have been permanently closed —and that would be a real loss for our young people. With so few pools in Hartlepool, it’s vital that we keep the ones we have up and running. I’m truly grateful for the collaborative efforts of Water Babies, Hartlepool Borough Council and High Tunstall College of Science in making this possible.”

Works are expected to begin in the coming weeks.

Amii Hatchett, of Strokes Ahead swimming school, Carl Jorgeson, Chief Executive Officer of Hartlepool Sport, Mark Tilling, Headteacher of High Tunstall College of Science, Water Babies owner Pamela Hargreaves and her Water Babies colleagues Laura Blewitt and Olivia Irvin pictured in the Hydrotherapy Pool.