Swimming Lessons at South Reading Leisure Centre

Step into South Reading Leisure Centre and discover our range of accessible and affordable swimming lessons for everyone. From baby and parent sessions tailored for our youngest swimmers to structured courses for children and dedicated lessons for adults, we cater to all individual needs. For a more personalised experience, 1-to-1 lessons are also available.

Our modern swimming pool is designed to offer a great and accessible experience for everyone.

Swim School: Children's Swimming Lessons

Swim School Info

Our children's swimming classes cater to all ability levels, helping young swimmers develop lifelong skills. We offer three swim school stages:

Foundation (ages 4+): This starts a Red class with a teacher in the water, moving to Amber then Green.
Development (ages 5+): This is more advance swimming to Foundation working toward whole length swimming.
Academy (able to swim 200m+): This is distance swimming
Visit Swim School page for more information or further description in the class grouping below.

Lessons can be viewed from the foyer area.

Book Lessons Today

Foundation Class

Our Foundation swimming lessons are perfect for children aged 4 and up, as well as beginners and those who are new to swimming and are 9 years old or older. These lessons focus on teaching them how to safely navigate in and around water.

The Foundation classes are divided into three levels, each building upon the previous one. They are carefully designed to help kids develop water confidence, learn essential swimming skills, and master stroke development techniques.

By the end of the course, your child will have learned the basics of all four swimming strokes and be able to swim 10 meters unassisted.

We use the same structure for the SEND swimming lessons.

Development Class

Our Development classes are perfect for children who have already mastered the basics of swimming and can swim 15m without any help. These classes are a step up from our Foundation lessons and cater to different ability levels, so every child feels at ease.

In comparison to our Foundation classes, our Development classes will focus on enhancing your child's swimming skills by teaching them advanced techniques in all 4 strokes, introducing them to aquatic sports, and equipping them with basic water rescue and survival skills.

Moreover, the skills your child gains in these lessons will contribute to them achieving Bronze, Silver, and Gold milestone awards.

Academy Class

Our Academy classes are designed to help your child reach their personal swimming goals and become confident and independent in the pool. With a focus on self-led progression and advanced safety techniques, our classes include setting personal targets, Rookie lifesaving, and personal survival techniques. Our goal is to empower children to become strong swimmers who can swim more than 200m.

Adult Swimming Lessons

Whether you’re learning to swim or a confident swimmer looking to hone your skills, we have options for everyone. Join one of our drop-in session for more flexibility.

Sessions available:

Adult Swimming Lessons (suitable for beginners/improvers)
Women's Only Swimming Lessons - Enquire at southreading@gll.org
Adult Swimming Coaching (best for intermediate and advanced swimmers) - Coming Soon

Click here to find out more about adult swimming lessons.

Book a Drop In Session

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I go if it's our first time attending a lesson?
First-time parents and children should go to the reception to collect their card. The concierge will then guide them to the appropriate location.
Can I watch my child during the swimming lesson?
Foundation , Development & Academy: Parents can watch from the spectators area next to the main pool or from the viewing gallery on the first floor.
Do I need money for lockers?
Yes, members will need a pound coin or a locker token for the lockers. Locker tokens can be purchased at reception.
Do I need to pay for parking?
No, parking is free of charge
Do I need to wear a swim hat (or does my child need to wear a swim hat)?
For hygiene and safety reasons, we recommend that all swimmers wear a swim hat in the pool. If you don’t have one, swim hats are available for purchase at reception.

For more information go to www.better.org.uk/swimming-lessons or visit our help centre or contact us by email at southreading@gll.org.