Better Swimming Lessons
Whether you’re looking to improve your child’s confidence in the water , swim safety awareness or want to help your child learn to swim, we have swimming classes that cater for all levels of ability and ages.
As the largest provider of swimming lessons in the UK, the Better Swim School, Swimbies and Swim Doctor helps over 200,000 people a week learn to love the water and keep active, by becoming capable and confident swimmers in a leisure centre near them.
Find flexible swim sessions that put your needs first; from morning classes and private lessons to outdoor swim lessons, we put our members at the heart of everything we do.
Already registered on a course? Login to your Home Portal account here to view lesson progress, lesson days and times plus any cancelled dates.
Holiday short courses
Help your kids stay active and learn a new life skill over the holidays 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:
- Go to https://betterflow.courseprogress.co.uk
- Find and click on your preferred location to be taken to the available courses.
- Select 'Swim School Holiday courses' in the left-hand filter
*days and times will be confirmed as you select your booking
Book Swim School todayWhat do Better swimming lessons offer?
We want everyone to feel comfortable and confident in the water. That’s why we offer swim lessons that are:
- Taught by experienced, qualified teachers, following our industry-leading programme in a fun and progressive environment
- Flexible, affordable and convenient with prices starting from as little as £3 per class (dependent on location)
- Ability to track your child’s progress with our online tool - Home Portal.
Free access to Swim For All, Swim For Family and Swim fitness sessions with swim lesson memberships for your children in your home facility. This does not include access to Swim For All, Swim For Family and Swim fitness sessions for those on Swim Doctor courses, SWIMBiES courses and in the London Borough of Waltham Forest.
Learn to swim with the right lesson for you or your child
We offer a wide variety of swimming lessons for all ages and abilities. Find the right class to suit you or your child’s needs.
Baby & Parent Swim
Teach your baby to learn to swim with Better swimming lessons. Our SWIMBiES classes are tailored to children ages 3 months to 4 years, providing a fun syllabus to help you and your child build water confidence that lasts a lifetime.
Children's Swimming Lessons
Our engaging children's swim classes take place across the UK for all ages and abilities, at affordable prices in your local leisure centre. Not only that, our Swim School helps your child gain confidence and independence in the water while having fun.
Adult Swim Lessons
Swim Doctor is Better’s adult swimming programme for all your swimming needs. Whether you want to learn to swim, improve your technique, fitness or train for an event, our Swim Doctors will help make the most of your time in the pool in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Group and 1 to 1 adult swim lessons are also available in certain locations.
Women’s-Only Swimming Lessons
Run for women, by women, our sessions are led by qualified female swimming instructors and cater to girls and women of all swimming stages and abilities. With our ladies swimming sessions and classes, you can develop a healthy lifestyle while enjoying the social and mental benefits of swimming.
Disability Swimming Lessons
We want to encourage everyone to start to swimming at Better. Where possible, we will look to integrate children with disabilities into our existing group lessons or we can offer 1-to-1 or small group swimming 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.
1-to-1 Swimming Lessons
We understand that every person is different and has their own goals to achieve in the water. That’s why, at Better, we offer private 1-to-1 swimming lessons with a qualified swimming instructor at a leisure centre near you. Our expert instructors create and tailor bespoke swim plans to help you or your child hit their targets. 1-to-1 lessons are subject to availability. Please contact your local centre for more information.
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Tracking Your Swim Lesson Progress
Whatever swim class your child is attending, once the sessions are underway you can track their progress using our online tool; Home Portal. This tool is easy to set up and gives you access to information and updates directly from your swimming instructor.The benefits of tracking swim lessons with our Home Portal include:
- Records of achievement
- Encouragement to keep the kids active
- Ability to book and pay online
- One account for multiple children/courses
Master your swim skills with our experts instructors
All our teachers are professional, passionate and pupil-focused and will ensure you’re in safe hands in the water.
We want to give people of all ages valuable swimming training, which is why we invest not only in our pupils, but our teachers too. Our talented teachers have a wide range of prized skills and qualifications, and we help fund our trainee instructors to achieve the following qualifications and skills:
- Appropriate swimming teaching qualifications such as STA award qualifications
- Appropriate swimming teaching qualifications
- In-depth knowledge of swim health and safety
- National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers & Coaches
Swim lessons in high-class facilities
With over 130 indoor swimming pools, including the world-famous London Aquatics Centre, our local swim facilities make developing your skills and passion easier.
Selected pools are also equipped with springboards and diving boards to help you discover the benefits of diving. We offer diving lessons for all ages and abilities, including classes from the Tom Daley Diving Academy.
Better swimming facilities include:
- Training pools with swim lanes
- Teaching pools
- 9 lidos, heated and unheated
- Flumes, slides and Aqua Splash inflatable sessions
- Diving pools and boards
- Disability access and Pool Pod lifts at many of our pools
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Better’s tips for staying safe while swimming
You might be wondering ‘why is it important to follow safety rules in swimming classes and lessons’, but they’re there to protect all of us when using the Better pool facilities.
Before taking the plunge, it’s important you have the swimming basics under your belt. Here's how you can help everyone swim in a safe and welcoming environment.
What to do:
- Wait to swim after you eat. Please avoid swimming within two hours of eating
- Watch from a distance. Spectators can watch swimming lessons from the designated gallery/viewing area, not from the poolside
- Remember to shower before and after your swimming lesson and use the toilet facilities before getting in the pool
- Be mindful of your own swimming ability and those around you
- Follow lane swimming etiquette - if you’re swimming near a slow or fast swimmer, adjust your pace or switch lane
- Listen to our qualified lifeguards and instructors and follow their guidance to keep everyone safe
- Swim only when you’re feeling healthy. It’s very important to talk to your doctor before swimming if you have any health problems, and inform staff of any special requirements you may have
What to wear:
Not sure what's suitable to wear in the pool? You'll find everything you need to know in our downloadable swimming lesson guide on what to wear (PDF 123KB).
Swimming Lesson FAQs
How many lessons does it take to learn to swim?
What is the best age to start swim lessons?
What measures are in place to ensure the Better swim facilities are safe to use?
What can I wear to swimming lessons?
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Diving
Whether you’re a novice looking for an adrenaline rush or an experienced diver looking to advance your technique, come to one of our diving pools.
Swimming at Better
Swimming is a great all-round exercise and is perfect if you want to be more active and stay healthy whatever your age or ability. With Better, you’ll have access to a local indoor and outdoor swimming pools near you.