Beginners/Stage 1 (Swim Lessons)

Children's swimming lessons, at this fabulous heated pool under a dome, set in the grounds of the school.

Small class sizes - maximum 4 per class

Swim teachers in the water for Beginners classes and early stages of the Swim England Learn to Swim programme (Stage 1 and Stage 2).

All lessons are taught by fully qualified and experienced Level 2 Swim England/STA Swimming Teachers, with full DBS, Teacher Rescue Award/RLSS Lifeguard qualification, and Swim England Safeguarding in Aquatics trained. 

A guide to the Swim England stages: Which class should my child go in? 

Beginners with parent: 3 yrs + First time swimming, or first swimming lessons. Focuses on building water confidence through gentle activities and games. Working towards Duckling 1. Uses a woggle and 3 arm bands, or just 3 arm bands on each arm. Teacher in the water. 

Beginners (no parent): 3 yrs + Building confidence and independence in the water, through fun and games, without parent in the water. 

Working towards Duckling 2, 3 or 4. Uses 3 arm bands, 2 arm bands or beginning to use just one arm band on each arm). Teacher in the water. 

Stage 1: Learners will develop basic water safety awareness, learn basic movement, swimming and water confidence skills. 

Swimmers may use a woggle, or one arm band on each arm, or beginning to use no arm bands. Taught in shallow end of pool (where most children can stand). Teacher in the water. 

Stage 2: (No arm bands/flotation aids whilst traveling). Swimmers develop basic floating, streamlining to their stroke and travel without their feet on the floor, using a recognised leg kick.  Travel up to 5m without floatation equipment. Taught in shallow end of pool. Teacher in the water. 

Stage 3: (No arm bands/floatation aids). Swimmers develop their kicks on front and back. They learn streamlining through push and glides, whilst also swimming underwater. Travel up to 10m on their front and back. Taught in deep end of pool. Must be a confident swimmer in deep end (with no flotation aids).

Stage 4: Swimmers learn to perform recognisable leg kicks for all four strokes, further develop push and glides, demonstrate floating on the surface and learn how to scull. Taught in deep end of pool. Must be a confident swimmer in deep end (with no flotation aids).

Stage 5: Swimmers learn the correct arm pulls of all four strokes, as well as sculling, treading water, handstands and somersaults. Taught in a lane. (Shallow to deep end). Confident swimmer - able to swim up to 15m (no floatation aids). 

Stage 6: Swimmers develop efficient technique for all four strokes, including streamlining and developing surface dives. They learn how to swim in clothes and how to perform a shout and signal rescue. Swim 25m with correct technique (Swim England standard). Taught in a lane. (Shallow to deep end).