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Children swimming lessons

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Teaching your child to swim is not only a great way to meet new friends and take part in fun activities, it's the only sport that can save your child's life.

No matter if they love splashing around in the shallow end or venturing out into the deep, swimming and aquatics has it all.

We teach the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework (external link), meaning as a parent you can understand easily the progress made by your child in the pool.

Where and when do we teach?

Lessons are available at five of our leisure centres with pools across Wigan and Leigh:

Lesson timings:

  • Monday to Friday from 3.45pm
  • Saturday from 8.15am

Learning to swim in stages

We offer an all-inclusive programme which takes the non-swimmer from his or her first splash to developing confidence and competence in water.

  • Stage 1 - Swimmers will develop basic movement skills, water confidence and safety awareness. Don't forget the swimmers will be able to use aids e.g. arm bands and floats to help complete all outcomes at this stage
  • Stage 2 - Swimmers will develop safe entries to the water including jumping in, floating practices, rotation skills and be able to travel over a distance of 5m in the water on their front and back without aids
  • Stage 3 - Swimmers will work towards being able to swim 10m on their front and back and will be able to fully submerge to pick up objects from the bottom of the pool. Rotation skills and water safety knowledge will also be developed
  • Stage 4 - Swimmers will develop a better understanding of buoyancy through a range of skills, refining kicking techniques for all four strokes and swimming 10m on one stroke to a given standard as directed by Swim England
  • Stage 5 - Swimmers will focus on swimming all four strokes to the Swim England expected standards over a distance of 10m. Swimmers will also develop skills in sculling, treading water and complete rotation.
  • Stage 6 - Swimmers will focus on developing effective swimming skills including co-ordinated breathing for all four strokes, water safety and an understanding of how to prepare for exercise.
  • Stage 7 - By the end of this stage swimmers will have developed quality stroke techniques up to 100m, incorporating skills learnt and combining them to develop a linked routine and an obstacle course that combines a variety of skills accomplished throughout Stages 1-7.
  • Stages 8 - Once your child has mastered the basics which allow them to be competent and confident in the water, they can keep on developing their swimming skills into adulthood.

When can my child start lessons?

Children's swimming lessons are delivered on a rolling programme that allows pupils to join at any stage and progress at their own pace.

Lessons operate for 50 weeks of the year with a gap in lessons over the Christmas period.

If you're jetting off to the sun and want your child to learn the ropes fast, we also offer one-to-one swimming tuition - as well as intensive courses during the holidays.

Disability swimming lessons

Disability swimming lessons are aimed at children that need a smaller group environment 1:6 ratio with the parent/guardian in the water supporting their child if required.

Our Disability swimming lessons offer a progressive aquatic awareness programme by combining a flexible mix of lessons and activities through the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework.

How much are swimming lessons?

All children's swimming lessons are payable via direct debit, meaning once you're set up, all you need to do is turn up to lessons with your children.

  • Stage 1 to 7 - £26 per month (direct debit)
  • Stage 8 and Rookie - £29 per month (direct debit)

Casual swimming sessions for young learners is free. So they can learn, practice and have fun at one low monthly price. To enjoy this offer children must attend casual swim sessions with a paying adult, or current member, unless they are over the age of 8.

How to book lessons

We have a team of swimming coaches and advisors here to help. Fill in our online form to start your child swimming journey and we'll tailor a package to suit you.

Track your child's swimming progress

We've introduced a new and fun way for you to check out how your child is progressing at their swimming lessons.

If you haven't received information about home portal, please speak to child's swimming teacher.

Competitive swimming and rookie lifesaving

We offer stage awards in competitive swimming and rookie lifesaving.

To support youngsters interested in swimming competitively we will also help your child with their aquatic aspirations by working with community swimming clubs.

Our RLSS (Royal Life Saving Society) UK's rookie lifeguard programme gives your child the skills they need to be confident in the pool or in the sea.

Our swimming teachers

All our teachers are fully qualified to Level 2 and are professional, passionate and pupil focused.

Our experienced, qualified teachers follow the Swim England framework and go through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, for your peace of mind and the safety of your children.

Teachers also have Continual Professional Development (CPD) to keep them up to date with all the latest aquatic developments.

 

 

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