The academy, for primary school pupils, is being run by a former competitive swimmer, Helen Mackenzie, who is director of sport for the Ripon area.

Every Monday after school a large 'crocodile' of school children wends its way up Clotherhome Road to take part in an hour's swimming tuition, with students from the Grammar School and Ripon College assisting at the sessions under the watchful eye of Mrs Mackenzie.

“It has always been my dream to set up a swimming squad for Ripon children,” said Mrs Mackenzie. “Water time is a precious commodity and thanks to Ripon Grammar School we are able to impact on many school children who might not have access to swimming elsewhere.”

A typical session might include tumble turns and sprint starts for the more able swimmers while another group attempts distance badges or trains for challenge awards.

Younger swimmers are taught water confidence skills on a one-to-one basis while another group works on proficiency skills and personal survival techniques.

Every member of the swim squad has achieved at least one distance badge, some have attained as many as five and eight of the children have ahieved both the gold challenge award and the 1600m/mile badge – 84 lengths in the Grammar School pool.

Funds have recently been secured to buy equipment including floats, pull buoys, diving bricks and starting blocks and a gala against the Nidderdale cluster of schools has been arranged for next half term.

The students helping out at the academy are: Harry Pilling, Kate Robinson, Lucy Foster, Huguette Craggs, Amy Ellerker and Abigail Bassett.