Learn To Swim Programme

Pre-school swimming lessons, for children aged 3 years and over, are a great way to introduce your little one to the world of swimming and to build the beginnings of a lifelong love of water. We focus on creating a positive and fun environment, helping to build confidence and teach the core skills needed to learn the four strokes.

• In-water support from an experienced swimming instructor
• Maximum 4 swimmers per class
• Available to swimmers aged 3 years +
• Swim England Pre-School Framework Awards
• Price £26.50

Please note, there is no waiting list for pre-school swimming lessons.

The Swim England ‘Learn to Swim’ Framework is suitable for children/young people aged 4 years and over. The Learn to Swim Framework takes a games-led approach to teaching, developing confident and competent swimmers through fun and enjoyment. The ‘Learn to Swim’ programme is divided into progressive stages (stages 1-7), which make up the core national syllabus of learning to swim for primary school aged children. The Stage 1-7 Awards are designed to reward your child for their development of the essential aquatic skills they need to be confident, competent and safe in the water. Each of the Learn to Swim Stage 1-7 Awards has a list of clear outcomes that need to be completed in order to reach the next stage.

• Experienced SEQ (Swim England Qualified) Swimming Instructors
• Available to swimmers aged 4 years +
• Swim England Stage 1-7 Awards
• 30 minute lessons (Monday-Saturday)
• Supports children/young people in developing the skills and motivation required to lead a healthy and active lifestyle
• Price £26.50

Swim Academy is for swimmers who have completed stage 7 of the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework. Swim Academy is part of the Active Halton aquatic skills pathway, enabling swimmers to progress from the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework to Aquatic Skills Framework. This framework is all about extending the skills and abilities of young swimmers who would like to do more than swim. The Learn to Swim Stages 8-10 Awards offered as part of Swim Academy focus on the discipline of competitive swimming, developing skills such as competitive starts/turns, fitness and training for competition.

• Experienced SEQ (Swim England Qualified) Swimming Instructors
• Available to swimmers who have completed stage 7 of the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework
• Learn to Swim Stages 8-10 Awards
• 1 hour session
• Price £32.50

Swimming isn’t just a great way to keep fit and stay healthy – it is a life skill. At Active Halton, we believe everyone should be given the opportunity to learn to swim, no matter their age or ability. It is never too late to kick start your swimming journey.

Are you fearful of the water and looking for professional and expert support to help you take that first step? Maybe you already have a basic level of swimming ability, but are looking to improve and develop your skills to swim confidently and independently over short distances? The Adult ‘Learn to Swim’ programme will help you develop the right skills to become confident, safe and competent in the water. No matter your goals, we’re here to help.

The 12 week programme is delivered in accordance with Swim England’s Adult Swimming Framework, working towards the ‘Be Water Confident’ and ‘Be a Swimmer’ Awards. All lessons are delivered in a group setting, with in-water support from an experienced Swimming Instructor.

Be Water Confident – this Award is about gaining the confidence to enter the pool safely. It also covers the ability to move around the pool with confidence and to achieve basic core aquatic skills. These are entries, exits, buoyancy, balance and aquatic breathing.

Be A Swimmer – you will learn the necessary skills to start swimming independently over short distances (5 to 10 metres), without the use of floatation equipment. At this stage, adults can look to achieve Adult Distance Awards – 5 metres, 10 metres and 25 metres.

• 12 week programme
• £79.50
• Tuesday OR Wednesday (7.30-8.15pm)
• Anyone aged 16 years +

To book your space or to enquire about upcoming programme dates, please contact Kingsway Leisure Centre 0151 495 2200.

PRE-SCHOOL SWIMMING LESSONS

Pre-school swimming lessons are based on a first come first served basis, please contact our reception team to enquire about current availability.

CHILDRENS SWIMMING LESSONS (STAGES 1-7)

Due to popular demand the learn to swim program is currently full. We no longer operate a waiting list. Any existing entries on the waiting list will still be contacted in order of submission once a space becomes available. With a brand new leisure centre soon to open in Widnes, we are reviewing the way in which we manage new enrolments onto the program and will update our website once this has been confirmed.

SWIMMING ASSESSMENTS

If your child has prior swimming experience, is confident with water on the face/over the head and is able to travel 5 meters or more without support or the use of flotation equipment, then we ask that they attend a swimming assessment prior to booking (subject to availability). Following an assessment with an experienced Swimming Instructor, we can advise on what stage/ability your child is working at and enrol them on the appropriate stage. To book your FREE swimming assessment, please call either Kingsway Leisure Centre (0151 495 2200) or Brookvale Recreation Centre (01928 712 051).

SWIM ACADEMY / ROOKIE LIFEGUARD

If your child has completed Stage 7 of the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework (or equivalent) elsewhere and is looking to join Swim Academy and/or Rookie Lifeguard, please contact reception and ask to speak to the Swimming Coordinator.

• Swimming lessons are paid for via monthly Direct Debit. The cost i s£26.50 (30 minute lesson) / £32.50 (60 minute lesson).
• An initial pro-rata payment will be required to cover the period between your first lessons and initial Direct Debit payment.
• The Active Halton ‘Learn to Swim’ programme runs continually over the course of year, with a break over Christmas. Swimming lessons do not take place on Bank Holidays. Your direct debit amount will be amended.
• Customers can cancel their membership at any time. However please note all cancellations must be submitted in writing and before the 12th of the month to be cancelled in time for the following month.
• We ask that parent/carers inform the team of any medical and/or health issues/disabilities that may affect the child’s ability in the water at the time of booking. If you would like to discuss how we can best support your child in accessing swimming lessons, please contact the Swimming Coordinator.
• Children over the age of 8 are required to use their own gender changing rooms. Alternatively, we have family changing facilities available. Children under the age of 8 cannot be left unattended in the building.
• We ask that girls wear a one piece swim costume and boys wear swim shorts that do not pass the knee. This is to ensure your child’s swim costume does not hinder their swimming. Long hair should be tied back and jewellery is not permitted.
• All equipment (e.g. flotation equipment) is provided by the leisure centre.
• Swimmers must not enter poolside and/or the designated pick up/collection area prior to the lesson time.
• Included as part of your membership is access to the Home Portal, which allows you to track your child’s progress. The details you need to sign in to your online account will be provided following confirmation of booking.
• All children/young people are regularly assessed in accordance with the ‘Active Halton Expected Standards’, which sit parallel with the standards set out by the National Governing Body (Swim England). Children/young people will progress at different rates. Moving a child/young person to the next stage before they are ready and/or have completed the outcomes to the standard required will not benefit swimmers and may affect their confidence and safety, as well as the effective delivery of lessons. If you have questions about a child’s progress, please contact the Swimming Coordinator.