Lessons and Course For Kids

Find Sports Lessons & Courses Near Me

Whether you’re looking for a fun way to stay active or want to learn a new skill, we have a range of sports lessons and courses for all ages! 

Not only will you or your kids have fun and meet new friends, you’ll also have the chance to work on your fitness, improve your coordination and just get your body moving.

Led by a team of fully qualified staff, our sports activities are designed to help you learn a range of new skills in a positive and friendly environment. You'll find a range of lessons and courses on offer, including our extensive gymnastics programme and award-winning Swim School.

Book a lesson or course

Find a Sports Activity That Suits You

Whether you’re searching for a new sport or already have an activity in mind, take a look at just some of what we have on offer below or select your nearest centre to ask for more information:

Swimming Lessons

Brush up your underwater skills with our swimming lessons. If you’re a beginner at swimming or simply want to work on your technique, we also offer swimming lessons for all ages so everyone can feel comfortable in the pool. From childrens’ swimming to senior sessions, find the right class at a Better pool near you.

Explore our swim classes

Tennis Lessons

Learn how to serve, rally and lob with our fun and engaging tennis lessons. With kids sessions starting at 2 years old and adult sessions for over 18s, there’s a class for everyone, no matter your level or experience. Game, set, match!

Browse tennis lessons

Gymnastics Lessons

If you want to work on your balance, coordination and flexibility, what better sport or activity to try than gymnastics! At Better we offer lessons for kids and adults, covering the fundamentals for beginners and more advanced techniques for experienced gymnasts. Find a session near you to social, mental and physical benefits of this fun sport.

Find gymnastics classes

Other Lessons and Courses Offered at Better

Looking for something a little different? We’ve got plenty of activities and sports on offer at our centres, from sessions provided by the Tom Daley Diving Academy to Horse Riding at Lee Valley. Whatever you want to try, there’s a sports course for everyone at Better.

Watersports | Diving | Ice Skating | Athletics | Football | Basketball | Horse Riding

How to book lessons and courses

Ready to get started with your sport?

Follow the steps below to book a lesson or course online:

  1. Visit our booking portal.
  2. Enter your postcode, choose your activity (e.g. swimming, tennis, gymnastics) and click ‘search’.
  3. Pick your centre and click ‘show lessons’.
  4. Browse lessons and choose a group/stage and lesson time that works for you.

Not sure which stage/group to choose for you or your child? Take a look at our activity pages to find out more about each sport and what to expect from the lessons.

For more information on this or if you’ve got any other questions about lessons and courses and Home Portal, visit our Help Centre for more information.

Already registered on a course?

Once your childs’ lessons have started, you can keep an eye on their progress and view their awards via Home Portal as well. All you’ll need to do is log in with the same details you booked the lessons with.

Summer Sports Activities

A holiday short course at your local Better leisure centre is a great way to keep your kids active - and occupied - during the break. Courses run throughout half term and school holidays and are perfect to get moving and learning new skills.

  • Click here to book a holiday short course.
  • Enter your location and which activity you’re looking for.
  • Select 'Holiday and Short courses' in the left-hand filter.

Get active outside of lesson time

Whether you want to practise what you’ve learnt in class, have fun with family and friends or just some extra exercise in, we have plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy. Keep the kids active with our children’s activities, book some time at your local pool or find a racquet session near you - the choice is yours!

Take a look at what we offer to find your new favourite sport.

What do our customers have to say?

Lessons & Courses FAQS

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 refer a friend to a lesson or course?

If you or your child are currently participating in lessons provided by Better you can refer a friend to any of our courses payable monthly or annually . In order to do so, you will need to register for the refer a friend scheme here. By following the steps you will be able to share a promotional code with a friend.  The code  must be used at the point of joining and will deduct £15 off the first payment. Once your friend has joined,  you will be entered into a weekly prize draw giving you the chance to win a 12 month course of your choice (subject to availability).

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. 

 

Managing Your Lessons (Home Portal)

How can I access my barcode to scan for entry into the centre?

On the home page of your HomePortal account you will be able to hover over the pupil name(s) towards the top (task bar) which will allow you to select the option to access barcode. Once selected, you will be able print screen and use via your smart phone or print and bring along with each visit.

How many entries will my barcode allow?

The barcode will allow up to 3 swipes per visit to enable pupils and guardians entry within the lesson period.

How do I create my HomePortal account?

Your HomePortal account is created when you first make a lesson or course booking online. You will need to activate your HomePortal account before logging in for the first time. Click here to activate your account by adding the member number to HomePortal (provided to you in your booking confirmation email) to get started.

How do I activate or register my HomePortal account?

Click here to activate your account by adding the member number to HomePortal (provided to you in your booking confirmation email) and answering some security questions to get started.

What is HomePortal?

HomePortal is a simple web platform we use to help you manage multiple pupils from one account, view your lesson programme online, make new bookings and review pupil progress from our teachers.

How do I reset my HomePortal password?

If you have forgotten your password, click the Forgotten your password? link on the HomePortal login screen and you will receive a password reset email to your registered email address.

How do I move a lesson to a different centre or change the day and time?

Our team will be happy to help you, please complete a Lessons and Courses Existing Customer Enquiry' here to discuss further.

Lesson Safety Information

What measures and changes can I expect when my child attends a lesson?

As part of our Safer, Better, Stronger commitment, we will continue to take steps to ensure our customers and colleagues are safe. Our approach has been developed in partnership with industry experts to focus on the following key areas designed to continue to keep all pupils safe and healthy.

  • Hygiene and cleanliness: our high cleanliness and hygiene procedures include increased cleaning schedules, as well as readily available and accessible hand sanitisation points.
  • Increased ventilation: we’ve increased the delivery of fresh air into indoor activity spaces to make your visit as enjoyable as possible. Where alternative lesson space is available, (including sports halls, pitches and tennis courts) leisure centres may run lessons in these locations.
  • Pre booked sessions: to ensure you don’t have to queue on arrival, we encourage you to arrive 10 minutes before the lesson start time. Staggered start times will continue to minimise contact between people entering and exiting our locations and you will need to scan your Home Portal barcode (via printed confirmation or online at Home Portal) to enter.
  • Play your part: From respecting the personal space of others when spectating to staying home / keeping your child home if you / they feel unwell, everyone has a part to play in keeping each other safe.

A member of staff will be available upon arrival to assist with any questions you may have.

Where is the meeting and collection point for swimming lessons?

The swim school meeting point is identified by a clear board stating ‘Swim School Meting Point’ and is usually located on poolside. Pupils aged under 8 must be taken to meet the Swimming Teacher at the designated Swim School meeting point by their guardian. At the end of the lesson the guardian must be at the same point to collect their children from the Swimming Teacher. Guardians must remain in the centre during the lesson.

Swimming Lesson Information

What are the swimming lesson teacher to pupil ratios?

The average ratio for Foundation classes will be 1 Swimming Teacher to 8 pupils. In Development classes this will be 1 to 10. Academy classes 1 to 20.

Why do pupils have to wear a swimming hat?

This is to improve the safety and hygiene in our swimming lessons, as well as being used to reward and recognise the individual's achievements from one ability group to the next.

Why should my child start / return to swimming lessons?

Swimming is such an essential life saving life skill and drowning is still one of the most common causes in accidental death in children. As well as being an important life skill, swimming is also one of the most healthy and fun activities, improving strength, stamina, flexibility and posture - keeping your child active and happy at the same time.

How do I cancel my child's swimming lessons?

We don’t want to see you leave however if you would like to request a cancellation please complete the swim school cancellation request. Were always here if you would like to come back.

How do I find out more information on Swimbies classes?

For more information on our baby and parent swimming lessons, please visit our Swimbies FAQs

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