Thank you for deciding to learn to swim with the Swimming Academy.
Learning to swim is a great experience for everyone and through increased knowledge you or your children will not only learn a life saving skill but also be able to enjoy an activity throughout childhood and into adult life that will be invaluable in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
The Swimming Academy is based on the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS) which has been recently revised and updated, underpinned by Long Term Athlete Development principles with a clear progression between each stage and is focused on four key areas:
All Swimming Academy teachers are ASA qualified. For further details please refer to the enclosed ASA Parents Guide.
The Academy also provides links to Clubs and Development Classes enabling children to further their aquatic careers and take part in training programmes in their chosen aquatic activity.
Ideally your child shouldn’t have eaten in the last half hour before the lesson. If you are collecting your child from school and they require a snack before the lesson may we suggest a banana or plain biscuit.
Children should wear suitable swimwear, which should not be restrictive. We recommend for girls a one-piece costume and for boys fitted trunks. For those children who usually wear nappies we recommend the use of waterproof swim nappies during swimming lessons, these are available for purchase from reception. We provide all other equipment. Jewellery and watches must be removed for safety reasons. Please ensure swimming hats are worn at all times.
Please arrive in good time for your lesson (i.e. 10 minutes before the lesson starts). Clothing must not be left in the changing rooms but in the lockers provided.
Please ensure your child has visited the toilet prior to entry to the pool and proceeds to the designated waiting area at the appropriate time.
Please deliver your child at the beginning of their lesson to their teacher, who will then take the register, and take a seat in the appropriate viewing area during the lesson. Please note; if a child is under eight years old then their parent or a responsible person over the age of 18 must supervise them before and after the lesson whilst in the centre.
Parents / Guardians are requested to remain in the spectator area at all times whilst the swimming lesson is being delivered. Please ensure young children who are not participating are kept a safe distance away from the pool and under your constant supervision.
Your child will be continually assessed each week within the programme. When your child has completed the set criteria progression to the next class can be made. The Site Swimming Co-ordinator will organise this process, endeavouring to keep your child’s lesson on the same day.
Please wait at the designated location to collect your child from their teacher after the lesson has finished.
If an alarm should sound during the lessons, please remain calm as our staff are trained to deal with such emergencies. The teachers will ensure the safety of the children in their class and will carry out the appropriate evacuation. In the event of a fire alarm all spectators will need to evacuate by the nearest fire exit and you will be reunited with your child at the fire assembly point.
DC Leisure:
The safety of your child is important to us. Please refer to our Child Protection Policy leaflet which is available from reception.