Buckingham Pools were the preferred pool specialist by Neilcott Construction to undertake the design and installation of a new hydrotherapy pool in Kent. Expanding Abbey Court Community Special Foundation School for pupils aged 3-19 with severe and profound learning difficulties required a sensory hydrotherapy pool as one of the top priorities. We were thrilled to tap into our broad spectrum of experience to develop a bespoke pool design to meet the client’s brief. 

The recently completed deck-level pool of 10m x 7m is skillfully designed to facilitate pupils with difficulties and disabilities. For example, two sets of entry steps will help control pool access traffic while allowing ample time to assist the different mobility levels. At 35°C, the pool can be used for re-education and encouragement of normal movement, improved balance and coordination and (re)introduce walking techniques, to name a few of the therapeutic benefits. 

Our most significant challenge was encountering an “extremely late design change, from a skimmer pool to that of a deck-level pool, quite literally a day before we started the build. So we went through a redesign, structural, costings etc. and remobilised four months later, ” says our Contracts Manager Richard Sharman. Nonetheless, to mitigate the delay, the plant room equipment, including commercial-grade filtration systems, was installed ahead of schedule, achieving the recommended 1.5-hour turnover. The final fix elements were the specialist automatic pool cover and bespoke handrails before the pool fill. 

Buckingham Pools are delighted to complete a stimulating environment at Abbey Court School, featuring a water cannon, a variety of lighting and engaging projection effects. This fully equipped hydrotherapy pool is now a multi-sensory centrepiece for learning development.