ELLESMERE College will once again have an elite swimming club with affiliation to Swim England after a senior barrister's recommendations, following stark revelations about its predecessor.
The decision comes two years after Ellesmere Titans was forced to close down following serious allegations of bullying, harassment and concerns over coaching in 2022.
However, a new club will be allowed to reform at the College despite Katherine Apps KC finding that during the previous regime, children were 'at risk of death', according to an independent safeguarding report.
READ MORE: Multiple legal claims against Ellesmere College dismissed
READ MORE: Ellesmere College Titans 'shock' over Swim England's closure call
Ms Apps KC was commissioned by Swim England, the country's national governing body, to consider an application for a closed club at the College, following an application in 2023.
OTHER NEWS:
- Caravan 'completely destroyed' by fire on major road near Oswestry
- Oswestry five-year-old wins UK-wide national pageantry competition
- Former Oswald's Cross pub to become more rooms for Oswestry Premier Inn
She concluded that there had been a sweeping change of culture within the club and recommended it become independent of Leicester Sharks, which had been helping youngsters compete.
Ms Apps KC said: “The Club is to be a “closed club” in that, save for two members who are non-pupils.
“And potential for there to be alumni members so long as they have completed Year 13, it is restricted to swimmers who are also pupils of Ellesmere College, College staff and College volunteers.”
Swim England have highlighted the actions the new club has agreed to take for affiliation the governing body.
It is includes a welfare survey, which will be carried out by Swim England safeguarding with the members every six-12 months for the first three years.
This is being trialled with some clubs and is 'wholeheartedly supported' by the club executive and the school.
The report added that Vicky Pritt-Roberts, the school's acting head, said the school will follow Swim England's policies throughout.
She said: “Parents speculating about Swim England will have zero influence over the running of the club.
“The club executive and the school fully accepts that affiliation to Swim England will oblige them to follow Swim England policies and procedures.
“There will be no interference from any parent, or indeed any employee at the College, in that.”
In her decision, Ms Apps KC stated she had seen reports and paperwork that the new club was effectively supporting children.
Get in touch
Share your views on this story by sending a letter to the editor. To get in touch email news@bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk , or fill in the form on this section of our website .
The report also stated that the College threatened to sue Swim England after it had been the subject of an Independent Schools report stating that safeguarding was being met, differing from previous reports.
Ms Apps said: “I now have their confirmation that this will not occur again.”
Reference was made to a previous report on the culture at Titans which included concerns over mental health, attempted suicides, bullying, drug use, body/fat shaming and even physical and sexual assaults – all which went unreported to Swim England by coaches.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here