Adult and Junior Better Swim School

We are the largest provider of swimming lessons in the UK. Across the country, we help over 100,000 people learn to love the water and keep active, by becoming capable and confident swimmers. That's why you should come to us to teach your children this vital life skill.

Available at over 100 locations, we have designed our swim school programme to be flexible and affordable, with prices starting from as little as £3 per lesson (dependent on location). What's more, your children will be taught by experienced, qualified teachers, who follow Swim England's Learn to Swim Programme.

Whether your children are new to the world of water or you're wanting to build their confidence, we cater for all levels of ability.

Swimming Course Programme

Better Swim School teach more than 100,000 swimmers throughout the UK. At over 100 locations, our swim school programme is designed to be flexible and affordable, with prices starting from as little as £3 per lesson (dependent on location). Our experienced, qualified teachers follow Swim England's Learn to Swim Programme. We support all swimmers to progress and take the plunge, whatever their level of ability. Fully inclusive and suitable for all age groups, our classes include:

One-to-one and intensive learn to swim courses available during school holidays
Adult & Child Lessons
Pre School Lessons for 3-5-year-olds
Children's Learn to Swim Lessons
Children Aquatics Skills including Rookie Lifesaving, Multi Aquatics and Challenge Awards
Adult Swimming Lessons

On your first visit to a Better swimming pool, you can collect your child's membership card from reception. You'll also get a free swimming hat from your swimming teacher, as these must be worn for every lesson.

Book lessons today

Progress at your own pace

Lessons are delivered on a rolling programme that allows pupils to join at any stage and progress at their own pace. For those who want to make waves quickly, one-to-one lessons are available, as well as intensive courses during the holidays. Our lessons operate for 50 weeks of the year with a gap in lessons over the Christmas period.

Progress Tracking

Booking a swimming lesson is easy - simply click on the link below, provide your details in the corresponding fields and start your swimming journey as soon as you'd like.

Book Now

After booking your session, you can also track you or your child's progress using our online progress tracking tool; Home Portal. It's easy to set up and allows you to access information and updates on the go, directly from your swimming instructor. The features include a record of achievement, book and pay online, one account for multiple children and more.

Visit HomePortal

Swim School Award Scheme

Swim School Award Scheme
Level	Entry requirements	ASA Learn to Swim Award
Adult & Infant	This class is aimed at infants from 3 months until they are able to walk with no support from an adult. An adult must accompany the child in the water. The lesson focuses on promoting early water confidence and basic motor skills in a fun and friendly environment.	Discovery Duckling 1 and 2
Adult & Toddler	This class is aimed at Toddlers who can walk with no support from an adult up to 3 years old. An adult must accompany the child in the water. The lesson focuses on promoting early water confidence, basic motor skills and introduces independent movement in a fun and friendly environment.	Discovery Duckling 3 and 4
Pre School 1	This class is aimed at children between 3 – 5 years who are new to swimming lessons or are not yet water confident e.g. unable to submerge their face confidently, float on their front and back unaided.	Duckling 1 and 2 I CAN Awards: Enter the water Exit the water Blow bubbles Float on front Float on back
Pre School 2	This class is aimed at children between 3 – 4 years who have previously attended adult and child swimming lessons or are water confident e.g. able to submerge their face confidently, float on their front and back unaided and paddle/kick a short distance unaided.	Duckling 3 and 4 I CAN Awards: Roll over Swim Enter-turn-return Jump in
Stage 1	For children 5 years and over who are new to swimming lessons and are not yet water confident e.g. unable to submerge their face confidently, float on their front and back unaided.	Stage 1
Stage 2	For children 4 years old and over who have passed Pre School 2 or Stage 1 and are water confident e.g. able to submerge their face confidently, float on their front and back unaided and paddle/kick a short distance unaided.	Stage 2
Stage 3	For children who have passed Stage 2 or able to travel 5 metres on both the front and back without the use of buoyancy aids, able to regain standing and blow bubbles into the water.	Stage 3
Stage 4	For children who have passed Stage 3 or are able to travel 10 metres on their front and back unaided with a basic technique. Confident to jump in and submerge under water and have experience in deep water.	Stage 4
Stage 5	For children who have passed Stage 4 or are able to kick 10 metres of frontcrawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly with good technique and swim 10 metres of a stroke.	Stage 5
Stage 6	For children who have passed Stage 5 or able to swim 10 metres of frontcrawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly with good technique and are able to confidently tread water and perform somersaults in the water.	Stage 6
Stage 7	For children who have passed Stage 6 or are able to swim 10 metres with clothes on, swim frontcrawl, breaststroke and butterfly with rhythmical breathing, swim 25 metres correct technique of at least 1 stroke, able to surface dive to the bottom of the pool, confident in deep water and able to swim with clothes on confidently.	Stage 7
Stage 8 - 10	For children who have passed Stage 7 or are able to swim 25 metres of frontcrawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly demonstrating correct technique, swim 100 metres using 3 different strokes, perform a competent sitting dive and tread water using eggbeater leg action. There are several aquatic routes to choose from: Rookie Lifesaving, Swimming Challenge, Multi Aquatics, Mini Polo, Synchronised Swimming, Diving, and Competitive Swimming. Please contact your local Leisure Centre to see which of these are on offer.	Stage 8, 9 and 10
Adult Beginner	For pupils aged 16 years old and over to promote water confidence and develop core aquatic skills which enable a solid foundation to start learning the strokes.	Adult Swimming Stage 1, 2 and 3
Adult improver	For pupils aged 16 years old and over who are able to swim at least 10 metres on their front and back. This lesson will further improve stroke technique and develop on previous core skills learnt with an introduction to deep water.	Adult Swimming Stage 4 and 5
Adult Advance	For pupils aged 16 years old and over who are able to swim at least 25 metres. This lesson will focus on stroke development and endurance.	Adult Swimming Stage 6 and 7

We operate a slightly different programme in Cardiff which follows the Welsh Learn to Swim Framework.

LEARN TO SWIM SCHEME IN WALES

Payment

There are three quick and easy ways to pay:

A convenient monthly Direct Debit of 12 equal payments allowing you to spread the cost across the year.*
A hassle-free upfront annual payment.
Pay as you go - make an upfront payment for 14 weeks and renew at any time**

All payments can be easily managed online through your Home Portal. As an added bonus, pupils paying by monthly Direct Debit are entitled to free swimming during the swim for sessions (please check the swimming timetable at your local leisure centre).

*Direct debit payments will continue until you let us know otherwise.

**At selected centres only. Not available online.

Book lessons today

Find out more about our Swimming Activities

Swim school