Talbot Heath’s new swimming academy to make a Think Bigger Splash!

Talbot Heath is proud to announce the launch of its new National Swimming Academy Programme for 2019, in conjunction with Poole Swimming Club. The Bournemouth school already has a strong reputation for producing national and international tennis players and Poole Swimming Club have the same track record in the pool.

The programme will offer a fantastic opportunity for any girl to pursue their swimming aspirations within an outstanding academic school, and is open to pupils that are ranked in the top 20 for their age in an Olympic Swimming Event from Year 7 onwards. This new national academy aims to attract girls from across the country who can board and develop their academic and swimming journeys in a highly supportive and achieving environment (any pupil accepted onto the Swimming Academy will receive up to 50% discount on the tuition fees by means of a sports scholarship). Girls will have the opportunity to train in the newly refurbished school pool housed inside the exciting new Hub that is due to open in the spring this year.

Former TH pupil and competing national level swimmer Fiona Hardie, commented on the new venture: ‘My experience is that the support Talbot Heath gives their students, both in their academics and in their extracurricular activities, is unrivalled. The opportunity to pair that with on-site training and the quality coaching at Poole Swimming Club will offer exceptional opportunities for swimmers.’

Directing and coaching the school academy is British Swimming and Poole Swimming Club Head Coach Barry Alldrick, alongside his team of coaches. Mr Alldrick, who was recently awarded Swim England Coach of the Year 2018, said: ‘Poole Swimming Club are excited to be able to support Talbot Heath in their ambition to place swimming at the core of their school programmes in developing a local and national level swimming academy. As the Swim England Performance Swimming Club of the Year partnering with Dorset's leading Girls School it is a golden opportunity for everyone to realise their ambitions.’

Athletes will travel around the country competing for Poole Swimming Club and Talbot Heath School with the ultimate aim of earning success on international junior and senior teams.