A free-swimming programme for Nottingham City resident children under 16, offering 22,000 free swimming spaces during 49 school holiday days between July 2026 and February 2027.
Swimming is a vital life skill and an important way for children to stay active and healthy. Cost can be a barrier for some families, and this programme helps reduce inequalities by making swimming more accessible during school holidays.
The programme is open to Nottingham City residents who are school age children under 16.
Across all six Active Nottingham Leisure Centres: Clifton, Djanogly, Harvey Hadden, Ken Martin, Southglade, and Victoria Leisure Centre.
Sessions will run Monday to Friday during school holidays, excluding bank holidays, between July 2026 and February 2027.
School holidays do not align with financial years. The programme has therefore been designed around holiday periods rather than financial years, resulting in 49 delivery days within this phase.
There will be nine public sessions available across the city each weekday during school holidays. The nine sessions will be split across the six Active Nottingham leisure centres.
Additional swimming teaching support will be available to help children who are non-swimmers or lack confidence in the water.
Children under eight must be accompanied by a responsible adult or person aged 16 or over. The accompanying adult can attend at no cost, in line with the Leisure Centre’s Pool Admission Policy.
The programme is focused on school holidays, when demand is highest and families may face increased childcare and activity costs. This approach also ensures sessions can be safely managed within existing leisure centre capacity.
The total investment is £197,000.
Attendance and demand will be monitored throughout delivery to help assess take-up and inform future decisions.
Swim school members already receive free swimming as part of their lessons, and children under four already swim for free under existing arrangements. This programme focuses on children who may not otherwise have free access.
This programme is part of Nottingham City Council’s wider investment in services that support children, young people and communities across the city.
In March 2026, the Council agreed a balanced budget that included funding to support additional activity aligned to the Council Plan objectives. This was made possible through careful financial planning and a prudent approach to future funding, allowing the Council to reinvest in frontline services where there is the greatest benefit.
The Under-16s Free Swimming programme is backed by £197,000 of investment and will provide up to 22,000 free swimming opportunities during school holidays. By investing in free access to swimming, the Council aims to help reduce inequalities, support healthy lifestyles and give more children the chance to develop confidence and vital life skills in the water.