School age lessons - stages 1-10

Thank you for learning to swim with us - we’re proud to work with Swim England (National Governing Body for Aquatics) and all of our sites use the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework.

Learning to swim is a great experience for everyone and through increased knowledge you and/or your children will not only learn a lifesaving skill but also be able to enjoy an activity throughout childhood and into adult life that will be invaluable in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Our lessons focus on the fundamentals of swimming and we promote quality not quantity and we recognise that every child is an individual and may progress at different speeds. Awards are available at different points throughout the programme and you will be informed by the site when your child has achieved each one.

All of our teachers are fully qualified.

If you choose not to attend your lesson due to any reason (including illness); your payment will remain the same and you will not be refunded for the missed lesson.

What to wear?

Children should wear practical swimming costumes (for girls) or non-baggy shorts (for boys). When purchasing swimwear for lessons, please consider the practicalities of swimming – costumes should not restrict movement in any way or cause additional drag in the water. We have a great range of children’s swimwear available in reception from Zoggs, designed with swimming in mind. 

Every child should wear the swimming hat provided to their lessons. Each child will receive 1 new hat free of charge when they start lessons and each time they move up a stage. If you need to purchase a new hat there will be a charge of £1 for every extra one.

Swim England recommend that children learn how to swim both with and without goggles so we also recommend that your child has a well fitted pair of goggles for lessons. Swimming in goggles helps avoid irritation to the eyes, meaning children are happy spending longer in the water. They also help build confidence in underwater skills. Getting the right pair is key, to avoid time wasted in the pool fiddling with straps or emptying out a leaky pair!! Please ask our reception team to help your child find the perfect pair to fit their face. 

 

Emergency
Should the alarm sound during the lessons, please remain calm as our staff are trained to deal with such emergencies. The teachers will ensure the safety of the children in their class and will carry out the appropriate evacuation. In the event of a fire alarm, all spectators will need to evacuate by the nearest fire exit where you will be reunited with your child at the assembly point.

Under 8’s Policy
We operate a policy whereby every child under the age of 8 must be supervised by a parent or adult (ages 16+) at all times. The ratio of adults to children under 8 when in the water varies so please contact reception to confirm.

On-line access to monitor your child’s performance and enable you to move them on completion of each stage/level.

Once you have enrolled onto lessons:

1. Click here where you will need to follow the steps for first time registration; you will need to have at hand YOUR (parent/guardian) membership number, date of birth and postcode.
2. Once registered you will be able to clearly track your child’s progress against key competencies and choose suitable days and times as they progress through stages and into new classes. 

On arrival
Ensure you arrive in good time for your lesson, recent feedback from parents said they would recommend a good 10 minutes to get children ready and on poolside on time. Ensure you don’t leave any of your clothes or bags in the changing rooms and use the lockers provided. Please ensure your child has visited the toilet prior to getting into the pool.

Poolside
Please take your child, once they are ready for their lesson, to the signposted ‘Drop off point’ area just before the start time. From here their teacher will collect them and take the register. Once your child is with the teacher please exit poolside where you can continue to watch the lesson in the viewing areas.

During the lesson
Parents/guardians are requested to remain in the viewing areas throughout the duration of the lesson. Why not grab a coffee beforehand? Whilst watching your child please ensure any young children are kept a safe distance away from the pool and under your constant supervision. If your child is under 8 and they need the toilet during the lesson you will need to take them.

Continuous assessment
During the lesson the teacher uses the latest technology to update your child’s progress throughout the lesson against the key competencies for their level e.g. Travel on the back for 5 metres, aids or equipment may be used.

End of the lesson
Please be ready at the signposted ‘pick up point’ at the end of the lesson where the teacher will bring your child to once the lesson has finished.

 

Swim England Awards Scheme

Our lessons use the Swim England Awards Scheme. Please Click here for more information.

Free swimming

Did you know? Free swimming is available for all children on swimming lessons so that they can come swimming with you at other times to develop their confidence.