Swimming

Swimming pool:

This is a 25 metre, 5 lane pool ideal for teaching, training and recreational swimming. The pool offers a first class facility for both college and community users and caters for a broad range of needs from parent and child, through learn to swim schemes, to performance club standard.

We have 3 public swim sessions detailed in our Pool Programme these are:-

• Lane Swimming
• Early Bird
• Public
• Aqua Fit

Swimming Academy:

The pool also hosts the Sir John Deane's Swimming Academy where all ages are enabled either to learn to swim or improve their swimming in accordance with internationally recognised award schemes.

Sir John Deane's Swimming Academy aims for excellence in it's provision of swimming lessons for it's pupils. Focusing on water confidence for beginners, striving for good stroke technique and watermanship skills necessary for the pursuit of water based sports and employment in the leisure industry.

Academy Aims:

• To provide a safe and enjoyable environment, conducive to learning.
• To ensure that our staff are fully qualified to provide the expertise necessary to develop good swimming techniques.
• To promote the care and understanding of individual needs.
• To encourage pupils to progress to their full potential, recognising their endeavours and achievements at all levels.
• To set high standards of assessment, ensuring that appropriate progressive practices are used to achieve each level.
• To maintain a maximum ratio of ten pupils to one teacher and eight pupils in a beginner class.
• To advise our pupils of opportunities available to them on completion of the learn to swim scheme, that they may continue to participate in the sport.
• To provide all beginner classes with a fully qualified Assistant Teacher in the water or on poolside.

Swimming Academy Frequently Asked Questions:

Why should my child learn to swim?

Swimming is not only a great way of keeping fit, but is also a valuable step to increase the safety of children in and around water. Although water can be fun, it can often be dangerous, so by equipping a child with the skill of swimming, the child will grow up with the knowledge of what to do and not to do if situations ever occur. This is a point recognised by the Government, which has meant that swimming is a part of the National Curriculum. There is no escape from water and by developing a child's ability to swim, they will enjoy themselves safely.

At what age should a child start to swim?

We provide lessons to children from the age of 4 in beginner classes.

Are swimming lessons just for beginners?

The answer is simply NO. There are many levels available for children to progress through, starting from the Ducklings - beginners, to the advanced. We accommodate for all ages of children, whether they are weak or strong swimmers. We also offer lessons for adult beginners and stroke improvement.

Are there any pool rules for the swimming lessons?

• Please remove ALL jewellery and plasters before swimming
• Anyone wearing earrings that cannot be removed must wear a swimming cap
• Suitable costumes and trunks should be worn to aid swimming development
• Goggles should not be worn, as early water skills do not require them

How do I get my child on the swim scheme?

To apply for a place, leave your child's name and contact details at Reception. Should you need any further information, please contact the Leisure Centre.

Details of our Award Schemes can be accessed by clicking the link below:

Leisure Centre national teaching plan (opens in a new window)

Public Swimming Sessions - Pool Programme:

There are also early morning sessions Monday to Friday 7am-8am and in the holidays there are two extra sessions on Tues and Thurs 2pm-4pm.

Assessment, Re-Enrolment & Feedback For Swimming Lessons:

Pupils are assessed on a continuous basis during the course and the final assessments are done on the penultimate lesson. The re-enrolment procedure takes place on the last lesson of the course, when all the new classes are allocated for the next term.

The new timetable may vary slightly each time. This is to ensure that we have an even balance of lessons across the whole week.

Feedback can be provided via Reception, by the swimming teachers but not during lesson time.

The timetable and application forms are available for collection on the re-enrolment day and the personal details on the form should be completed before enrolling at the desk.

Every effort is made to maintain the same day on subsequent courses however this cannot be guaranteed. We also endeavour to accommodate siblings at a similar time wherever possible. Cheques should be made payable to Sir John Deane's College on the day of re-enrolment. Unfortunately, we cannot reserve places without payment. Credit cards and Switch are also accepted.

For Details of our prices use the link below:

Leisure Centre Pricing Booklet (opens in a new window)