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. 
 

Swimming Lessons for Children (13 months-15 years)

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 Swim for All sessions. - Please note: Swim Safely Rules apply.

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

Preparing for your Swimming Lessons - FAQ

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 happens on your first day?

Arriving at the centre

For your first visit, please arrive at reception at least 10 minutes before your lesson starts. This will give you time to check in, collect your child’s swimming hat, make your way to the pool and use the changing facilities in good time so lessons can begin on schedule.

If you are unsure where to go when you arrive, our reception team will be happy to assist and direct you.

Please note that if a child arrives late, they may not be able to join the lesson. This is for the safety of all children, as teachers must remain focused on the swimmers already in the water and cannot leave the lesson to supervise late arrivals entering the pool.

 

Lockers and Changing Rooms

Where possible, please ensure children arrive swim-ready.

To help keep changing areas clear for all users, please do not leave belongings in cubicles, on benches, or on the floor. Instead, use the lockers provided.

Lockers require a £1 coin, which is returned after use.

 

Pool Viewing Area

Parents and guardians may use the spectator benches on poolside. When entering the changing rooms and poolside area, please remove your shoes or use the shoe covers provided in the dispensers.

Please note that filming and photography are not permitted in the pool area.

What should my child be wearing in the pool?

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

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 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.

Lessons Membership & Payment Information

How do I pay for swimming lessons? / How are my Direct Debit payments calculated?

All swimming lessons are paid for by monthly Direct Debit only. We do not offer block bookings or pay-as-you-go lesson payments.

When registering for a lessons membership, the initial payment includes:

  • A small sign-up fee
  • Your first month of lessons (pro-rata where applicable)
  • A Month-in-Hand payment

 

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 is the Month-In-Hand?

The Month-in-Hand is a non-refundable fee paid for at the time of registration to a lessons' membership. It is equivalent to a monthly fee, and does not affect your first Direct Debit payment. It's a month worth of lessons that you/your child will get after your cancellation month.

For further details on the cancellation process, please see your membership full Terms and Conditions on our website here: https://www.better.org.uk/legal-policies/terms.   

Do you offer concession discounts on swimming lessons?

No. Unfortunately, concession discounts are not available for swimming lesson in our Swindon centres.

Do you offer trial swimming lessons?

We regret that we are unable to offer trial lessons.

However, if after your first lesson you decide that the membership is not suitable for your child, you can cancel your membership online and claim a full refund under the 14-day cooling-off period, provided the cancellation is made within 14 days of purchase.

Our refunds procedure can be found here:
https://www.better.org.uk/legal-policies/refunds-procedure

What happens to my payments during the Christmas break?

How payments work
Direct Debit payments are spread across 12 equal monthly payments. These already take the two-week festive break into account, so you're only paying for the weeks when lessons take place.

Do I need to request a refund for the break?
No, the Christmas break is already built into your payment plan. That means refunds aren't needed or issued, and any requests for this period won't be processed.

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

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

  • Injury/Long Term Medical condition – proof required
  • Ramadan

During the requested freeze period (up to 3 months), we will apply a credit on 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 Form here.

How can I cancel my lessons' membership?

While we're saddened to hear you're considering cancellation, we understand everyone's circumstances are unique. If there is anything you'd like to discuss with our centre's team so we can make things right, please email us at link@gll.org, we're always happy to help!

If you wish to proceed, with the cancellation, please follow one of the options below.

 

  •  Online cancellation Form

Please complete the online request form here: https://www.better.org.uk/cancel-swim-school

For those participating in multiple lessons, please provide detailed information to ensure accuracy in the cancellation process.

Our Customer Services team will get back to you to confirm. If you need to follow-up on your request, please email: customerservices@gll.org.

 

  • Cancel via desktop  
    • Log into the Better customer portal here
    • Select 'My Account'
    • Click 'Memberships' from the options on the grey navigation bar
    • Scroll down the page and select the 'Manage membership' button
    • Select 'Cancel membership' and follow instructions on screen
         
  • Cancel via mobile or the Better UK app  
    • Log into the Better customer portal here if on mobile or tap the 'Buy & manage membership' button if on the Better UK app
    • Ensure you are logged in and select 'Account'
    • Select 'Memberships' from the drop down options
    • Scroll down the page and select the 'Manage membership' button
    • Select 'Cancel membership' and follow the instructions on screen
        

Please note: we require a notice on cancellations of 21 days from your Direct Debit due date, or your next due payment may still end up being collected. Your children last lesson will then be at the end of the month-in-hand.

Please see your membership full Terms and Conditions on our website here: https://www.better.org.uk/legal-policies/terms.

Swimming Lessons for Adults, SEN Children and Children Holiday Courses

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

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

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