Why Choose Us?

Whether your children are beginners or you're wanting to build their confidence, we cater for all levels of ability and will help them progress in the world of water.

We are the largest provider of swimming lessons in the UK. Across the country, we help over 135,000 people learn to love the water and keep active, by becoming capable and confident swimmers. We offer a programme for all ages and abilities, with times and days which suit you. In our lessons, our customers are at the heart of everything we do. 

  • Your children will be taught by experienced, qualified teachers, following our industry-leading programme. 

  • 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).

  • We offer a range of payment options from monthly direct debits and Annual payments.
  • Free swimming included in swimming lesson memberships for your children* 
  • You can track your child's progress using our online tool; Home Portal.

*please note this does not include Swimbies lessons and Waltham Forest is excluded. 

 Book lessons today

Find the right lesson for your child

To help you find a suitable lesson and level for your child, follow the age guide below:

Babies and Toddlers (3 months to 4 years)

  • 3 months to 12 months: Book Swimbies Dippers swimming lessons
  • 13 months to 2 years: Book Swimbies Splashers swimming lessons
  • 2 years to 4 years: Book Swimbies Paddlers swimming lessons

Pre-Schoolers (3-4 years)

  • Book Pre-school swimming lessons

School-aged students (5-12 years)

  • Non-swimmer / beginner and unable to swim 25m unaided: Book Foundation swimming lessons
  • Improver and able to swim 25m: Book Development swimming lessons
  • Advanced and able to swim 200m+: Book Academy swimming lessons
 Book your lesson now

Our programme

Following customer research and insight from our experience of running the UK’s largest Swim School, we have created a simpler set of classes for Juniors. Our new programme focuses on a set of achievements linked to a set of skills and distances achieved which are natural and progressive milestones for every child to become the best swimmer possible. Below is an outline of our new classes and ability groups under Junior.

You'll also find programmes covering baby swimming, adult swimming, Swim Doctor, Disability and 1-2-1 lessons. 

SWIMBiES

Bond with your baby and have fun in the water one milestone at a time with Better. Our baby swimming programme SWIMBiES is for babies and toddlers from three months to three years. 

 Find out more

Pre-school

Who is it for?
Children aged  3 to 5 years.

What do they learn?
Our Pre School Lessons focus on developing water confidence, introducing the essential swimming skills to enable your child to become safe and confident independent swimmers, ready for their first Foundation class. Lessons are available with and without parents in the water.

Awards
Pre School Milestones

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Junior

Our swim programme focuses on a set of achievements linked to a set of skills and distances achieved which are natural and progressive milestones for every child to become the best swimmer possible. 

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Foundation

Who is it for?
Children aged 4 years and over who are non-swimmers and beginners.

We also offer specific Foundation classes for children 9 years and older as well as Teenage Foundation classes. For details please use the contact us form.

Previously known as:
Stage 1, 2, 3 (Wave 1, 2, 3 in Cardiff)

What do they learn?
Teaching pupils the essential swimming skills to ensure they learn to be safe in and around water. Learning the basic techniques for all 4 strokes, achieving 10 metres on Front Crawl and Backstroke by the end of their Green milestones.

Ability groups 
Red, Amber and Green

Development

Who is it for?
Children aged 5-12 years who are able to swim 25m

Previously known as:
Stage 4, 5, 6, 7 1, 2, 3 (Wave 4, 5, 6, 7 in Cardiff)

What do they learn?
Teaching pupils advanced swimming skills, developing their techniques on all 4 strokes to create efficient and effective swimmers. Lessons focus on a wide range of skills across all aquatic sports. Pupils will learn basic water survival and rescue skills as part of the milestone awards. Here we will also work with other partner clubs to assess each pupil's ability to progress in talent pathways.

Ability groups 
Bronze, Silver and Gold

Academy

Who is it for?
Children who have completed the Development Class and are able to swim more than 200m

Previously known as:
Stage 8, 9, 10 (Rookie Lifeguard and Swim Skills in Cardiff)

What do they learn?
Supporting and developing your child to achieve their own personal goals in the pool. Setting personal targets related to challenge award in fitness swimming, personal survival and junior lifesaving plus other aquatic sports. Here we will continue to work with other partner clubs to assess each pupil's ability to progress in talent pathways should they choose to.

Swim Doctor

Swim Doctor is aimed at adults who want to improve their swimming technique or are training for a specific goal. 

 Find out more

Disability and level water

Everyone is welcome to learn how to swim at Better. Where possible we will look to integrate children with disabilities into our existing group lessons. Where it might not be suitable we offer 1-2-1 lessons to support children and adults to learn to swim. We also work with our partner charity Level Water to provide lessons for primary school-aged children with a physical or sensory disability. Find out more at your local Better swimming pool. 

Swimming 1-2-1 lessons

Better offers 1-2-1 lessons with a qualified swimming instructor at a leisure centre near you. Find out more at your local Better swimming pool. 

Progress tracking

After booking your session, you can track your child's progress using our online tool; Home Portal. Easy to set up, you'll be able to access information and updates on the go directly from your swimming instructor. Features of Home Portal include: 

  • Records of achievement
  • Ability to book and pay online
  • One account for multiple children 

Visit Home Portal

Holiday Short Courses - HALF TERM

Why not keep the kids active this holiday while learning a new life skill with our Swim School Holiday Courses.

Suitable for all levels, your child will build their confidence in the water and have fun at a swimming pool near you. Lessons run daily from Monday to Friday*.

To find and book a Swim School holiday short course:

*days and times will be confirmed as you select your booking

 Book Swim School today