Swimming Lessons

Swimming is a valuable skill for anyone to learn, child or adult. It’s a great form of all-round exercise as well as being a vital life skill that can help keep people safe in and around water. 
 Here at The Link Centre, we offer an extended Swim School programme for children aged as young as 13 months old and up to 15 years.
For adults of any age over 16, we provide Adult Swimming Lessons designed for all swimming levels so everyone can get comfortable in the water. Whether you want to learn to swim for the first time, are training for an event, or simply want to improve you’re technique, we’ll get you to where you want to be. 
 

CHILDREN SWIMMING LESSONS

Better Swim School lessons run weekly for 50 weeks a year, with a 2 weeks' break over the Christmas Holidays. Apart for those 2 weeks, lessons run through all half-terms, summer holidays and Bank Holidays. Children can progress at their own pace and start the lessons anytime since they are individually assessed during each lesson. You can track their progress via our online tool: Home Portal. Download our Better UK app for easy access to your account for one or multiple children. The app will also allow you to scan your member card(s) at the gates and skip the queues at reception. 

As a bonus, pupils enrolled in weekly lessons get free access to swimming sessions such as Swim for All, Family Fun Swim and Swim for Fitness*. (*Please note: Children must be at least 11 years old and competent swimmers to take part in Swim for Fitness (lane swimming) sessions. They may be asked to complete a swim test to confirm their ability.)

VIEW AVAILABILITY & BOOK

Before you book, it is important you choose the right class for your child's age and ability level. If you’re unsure which class is best, please see the breakdown below to help guide your choice.

Swimbies & Pre-school (Parent and Toddlers lessons)

Our experienced and qualified teachers welcome parents and toddlers from 13 months up to 5 years in our Swimbies and Pre-School lessons: providing a fun syllabus to help guide you and your child to build water confidence that lasts a lifetime.  As a parent, grandparent or guardian, you can join your little one in the pool to share their first splashes. Please find out more about Swimbies lessons here.

Link Centre Swimbies are taking place on Wednesdays as below:

  • 10.15am: Paddlers (2 to 4 years) 
  • 10.45am: Splashers (13 months to 2 years)
  • 11.15am: Pre-school (3-5 years) - Adult required in water

For infants classes (Dippers, 3 to 12 months), please check our other Swindon location: Dorcan Better Health & Recreation Complex.

red hats children in water

Foundation - ages 4 and over

Designed for school-aged children who are beginners or completely new to swimming. These lessons will teach them how to be safe in and around water. Previously known as Stage 1, 2, 3.

Foundation classes consist of 3 levels (red, amber and green) which swimmers work towards to complete these lessons.  They are designed to introduce, develop and master water confidence, essential swimming skills and stroke development techniques.

By the end of this course, your child will be able to swim 10 meters unaided learning the basics of all 4 swimming strokes. 

Foundation lessons at the Link Centre run as per below:

  • Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: from 3.45pm to 6.15pm
  • Wednesday & Friday: from 3.45pm to 5.45pm
  • Saturday & Sunday: from 8.45am to 11.45am
girls in green hats swimming with pool noodle

Development - ages 5+

Previously know as Stage 4, 5, 6, 7. Development classes are a level above Foundation lessons and are for children who already have a good basis of swimming skills and who are able to swim 25m unaided. Like our Foundation classes, these cover various ability levels, ensuring each child feels comfortable.

Building on what was learnt in Foundation classes, these lessons will cover more swimming essentials including developing technique across all 4 strokes, an introduction to aquatic sports and basic water survival and rescue skills.

The skills your child will learn in these classes will also contribute to them achieving their Bronze, Silver and Gold milestone awards.

Development lessons run as per below:

  • Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: from 4pm to 6pm
  • Wednesday: from 5.15 to 5.30pm
  • Saturday: from 9am to 11am
  • Sunday: from 9.30am to 11.30am

Academy - children who are able to swim more than 200m

The final level of our children’s swimming lessons, Academy classes will help your child develop further and work towards achieving their own personal goals in the pool.

We want to encourage your children to become confident independent swimmers. So, Academy classes are a lot more focused on self-led progression and advanced safety techniques. This will include setting personal targets, junior lifesaving and personal survival techniques.

We will also work with other partner clubs to assess your child’s ability throughout this course and help them progress in any talent pathway they choose e.g. Diving.

Academy lessons are 45 minutes and available on:

  • Thursdays, 6pm

MORE ABOUT CHILDREN SWIMMING LESSONS...

Please find below some frequently asked questions and useful information to know before registering to lessons. If there is anything else you'd like to know, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our Link Centre team at link@gll.org or visit us in the centre and speak to a member of staff. We're always happy to help!

What are the teacher to pupil ratios in the lessons?

We deliver lessons with a team of swim teachers in each session. The average ratios can be found below:

  • Pre School class- (Adult required in water)- One swimming teacher to 12 pupils.
  • Pre School class (Adult not required in water)- One swimming teacher to 6 pupils.
  • Foundation classes - One swimming teacher to eight pupils within a team of teachers.
  • Development classes - One swimming teacher to ten pupils within a team of teachers.
  • Academy classes- One swimming teacher to 20 pupils within a team of teachers.

Why do pupils have to wear a swimming hat to lessons?

To improve the safety and hygiene in our swimming lessons, we ask that all children wear swimming hats. They are also used to reward and recognise an individual's achievements from one ability group to the next, with different hats available as they progress.

What should my child be wearing in the pool?

All swimmers must wear clean swimwear. You can find a guide to appropriate swimwear here.

Lesson Booking and Payment Information

I cancelled my lessons. How do I reactivate the lessons again?

To reactivate your lessons, you will need to re-join again by logging into your HomePortal account here.

How do I book a lesson?

Visit our dedicated lessons and courses booking system by selecting your preferred location here and then selecting a preferred activity to view the available lessons. Use the search filters on the booking system to get the best results.

What happens to my payments during the Christmas break?

All our lessons and courses break for two weeks at the end of December. Direct Debit payments are split into 12 equal monthly payments and cover the number of delivery weeks offered for each activity thoughout the year.

How are my Direct Debit payments calculated?

Your monthly Direct Debit is calculated on: how many lessons are delivered in a year, multiplied by cost of each lesson. Then we divide the total into regular payments over 12 months.

What level should I book?

Unsure what level to book? You can find all the information you need regarding our entry level criteria in the lessons and courses section of the website which can be found here. 

Whose details do I enter when booking a lesson?

During the registration process, you will be asked to provide the attendee’s details (this will appear on the register for our staff) as well as account holder information such as email address and this may be separate to the attendee’s details.

Can I book more than one person or lesson in my HomePortal account?

Yes, your HomePortal account can be used for multiple pupils or lessons. You will not be able to book more than one lesson on a single Direct Debit payment, therefore additional lessons will require additional Direct Debit payments to be set up within the HomePortal account.

Can I use a promo code as payment?

Yes, you will have the option to apply a promo code during the checkout process.

Who can I speak to if I have any questions?

A member of staff will be able to answer any questions you may have about our new lessons.  If you have any questions before your lesson, please complete the contact us form on our website. 

How do I cancel a lesson or course?

We don’t want to see you leave however if you would like to request a cancellation please complete the cancellation request form.

If you or your child is participating in multiple lessons, please ensure you provide us with detailed information to ensure the correct lesson is cancelled.

We will be very sorry to see you leave and we're always here if you would like to come back.

Can I freeze my/my child’s membership if we are unable to attend lessons?

You may request that we freeze your access to lessons if the member is temporarily unable to continue participating for one of the reasons below:

  • Injury/Long Term Medical condition – proof required
  • Pregnancy – Mat B1 proof required
  • Ramadan

During the requested freeze period, we will apply a reduction in your future payment collection. The pupil will be removed from the lesson register until they are ready to return and we will do our best to offer you a similar day and time, however this is not guaranteed. Submit your request for a membership credit via a Customer Service enquiry here.

What happens if my/my child’s lesson is cancelled?

From time to time we are unfortunately unable to deliver lessons. If the service disruption is a planned closure, you will be notified in advance and your lesson or membership payment will be credited accordingly depending on the duration of the closure and the number of lessons affected. See below for more information on the types of credit available

If the service disruption is unplanned, we will do our best to notify you as soon as possible and your lesson or membership payment will be credited accordingly depending on the duration of the closure and the number of lessons affected. See below for more information on the types of credit available

Lesson Credit: Where available, replacement lessons will be issued and allow you to attend your lesson on a different day and/or time in the future. Where this solution is applied, you will receive an email notifying you of the process.

Membership Credit: Where replacement lessons are unavailable, we will apply a reduction in your future payment collection.

Can I freeze my child’s lesson or course for Ramadan?

Yes, you can freeze your child's lesson or course during the Ramadan period (10 March 2024 - 09 April 2024) which will become a credit to be used at a later date. Please email customerservices@gll.org to request the freeze and consequently add credit to your account. 

 

OUR OTHER SWIMMING LESSONS OFFERS

Three children happily jumping in the pool

Holiday Short Courses

Help your kids stay active and learn a new life skill over the holidays with our Better Swim School Holiday Courses.

For details on the courses running over the next holidays, please check our Holiday Activities page.

View Holiday Activities

 

Holiday Short courses can be booked in blocks of 4 consecutive days. Each lesson is 30 minutes. Please click on the button below to see prices and availability. (Make sure to tick the box "Holiday and Short Courses" in the left-hand filters.)

Book Holiday Courses now

 

 

SEND 1-to-1 Lessons (Level Water)

Better Swindon works in partnership with Level Water, who believe everyone should have the opportunity to learn to swim and fall in love with the water.

Level Water train teachers and help with funding to offer high-quality one-to-one lessons to children with physical and sensory disabilities.

For more information and to apply for lessons please visit our partner's website:

Visit Level Water website

Adult Swimming Lessons (previously Swim Doctor)

Suitable for adults of all ages over 16. We run two programmes:

  • Adult Swimming Lessons, designed for beginners or non-swimmers:
    • Tuesdays, 6.30pm-7.45pm
    • Wednesdays, 10.30am-11.45am
  • Adult Swimming Coaching, designed for fitness and technique improvement:
    • Tuesdays, 7.15pm-8.00pm

Membership is not required and attendance is totally flexible: book a lesson up to a week in advance, just like you would join a fitness class!

Adult Swimming Lessons