Swimming Lessons

See the teacher/pupil ratios and skills taught at each level.

Involves babies and parent/carer in the Minor Pool. 

This gives young ones a gentle introduction to water.  Parents/carers and children learn skills to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience in the pool.

Please note: children under 3 months will not be allowed in lessons.

Lesson ratio 1:12

Involves babies and parent/carer in the Minor Pool

Children continue to develop their water skills until they are able to submerge and swim unaided.

Lesson ratio 1:12

For 3 to 5 year olds new to the pool and non-swimmers, lessons take place in the Minor Pool.
Armbands used.

An introduction to the pool. Children learn water confidence and propulsive skills they need to progress to Toddler Wave 1.
Those in Primary 1 move to Ripples, pupils under that age move to Toddler Wave 1. 

Lesson ratio 1:10

For 3 to 5 year olds, non-swimmers, lessons take place in the Minor Pool.
Armbands used.

Children develop their water skills, swimming a width of the pool on their front, then their back to progress to Toddler Wave 2.  
Those in Primary 1 move to Ripples, pupils under that age move to Toddler Wave 2. 

Lesson ratio 1:10

For 3 to 5 year olds, swimmers in the Minor Pool. No armbands.

An introduction to the frontcrawl. Children swim front and back unaided to progress to Toddler Wave 3.
Those in Primary 1 move to Ripples, pupils under that age move to Toddler Wave 3. 

Lesson ratio 1:10

For 3 to 5 year olds, swimmers in the Minor Pool. No armbands.

Development of frontcrawl and backcrawl skills to 3 metres.
Those in Primary 1 move to Ripples 1, pupils under that age stay in Toddler Wave 3. 

Lesson ratio 1:10

Non-swimmers in the Minor Pool

For children in Primary 1 and above. This introduces pupils to the pool environment and develops their confidence in water. They must demonstrate a 3 metres swim on their front unaided to progress.

Lesson ratio 1:10

Swimmers in the Minor Pool

For school age children. This class develops frontcrawl skills. Children must swim 5 metres frontcrawl to progress.

Lesson ratio 1:12

For school age children. More development of frontcrawl and breathing skills. Pupils must swim one width frontcrawl with correct breathing to progress.

Lesson ratio 1:12

Swimmers in the Minor Pool

For school age children. This class develops backcrawl and refines frontcrawl to 10 metres to progress.

Lesson ratio 1:12

Swimmers in the Minor Pool

Develops butterfly and continued development of front and backcrawl to 15 metres to progress.

Lesson ratio 1:12

Swimmers in the Minor Pool

Develops breaststroke and continued development of front and backcrawl to 20 metres to progress. 

Lesson ratio 1:12

Main Pool, deep water

Lessons take place in 2 metres deep water to ensure swimmers are competent in deep water before they progress to Personal Survival Bronze.

Lesson ratio 1:10

Main Pool. Clothes worn throughout the lesson

Successful completion of personal survival at Bronze level leads on to the Silver and Gold levels. All three require a clothed skills assessment - T shirt at Bronze and Silver level and long sleeved top at Gold level. Those achieving Gold can progress to Stroke & Stamina.

Bronze level lessons take place in 2 metres deep water to ensure swimmers are competent in deep water before they progress.

Lesson ratio 1:10

For swimmers able to swim 100 metres Frontcrawl without stopping.

Pupils receive instruction on how to improve their stroke technique whilst swimming drills. Stamina improved through gradual progression in distance for aerobic fitness.

Lesson ratio 1:10

For men and women 14 years old and over

Adult Beginner
For non-swimmers working on water confidence across widths of the Minor Pool (7 metres), progressing to longer distances. The focus is on confidence and technique over multiple strokes.
Class ratio 1:12, water depth 1.2 metres.

Adult Improver 
Swimmers must be able to swim a 25 metre length and be confident enough in the water to put their face in and fully submerge. Swimmers will be working towards swimming all 4 strokes over lengths.
Class ratio 1:10. Lesson takes place in the Main Pool in a water depth of 1.4 metres.

Adult Advanced
Swimming multiple lengths, developing good stroke technique and building stamina across multiple strokes.
Class ratio 1:10. Lesson takes place in the Main Pool in a water depth of 1.6 metres.

Adult Mixed
These lessons follow the same format as Ripples to Stroke & Stamina but are structured to reflect the different needs and abilities of adult non-swimmers and improvers. Lessons take place in the Minor Pool with a ratio of 1:12.