Swimming Lessons

Swimming Lessons

Children Swimming Lessons

Better Swim School lessons run weekly for 50 weeks of the year, with a 2 week break over the Christmas Holidays. Apart for those 2 weeks, lessons run through all half-terms, summer holidays and Bank Holidays. Children can progress at their own pace and start the lessons anytime since they are individually assessed during each lesson.

 

View Availability & Book

 

Before you book, it is important you choose the right class for your child's age and ability level. If you’re unsure which class is best, please see the class breakdown below to help guide your choice. A swim test can also be arranged if needed. 

Swimbies & Pre-School (Parent and Toddler lessons)

Our experienced and knowledgeable teachers welcome parents and toddlers from 13 months up to 5 years in our Swimbies and Pre-School lessons. Providing a fun syllabus to help guide you and your child to build water confidence that lasts a lifetime.  As a parent or guardian, you can join your little one in the pool to share their first splashes. Find out more about Swimbies here

Chipping Norton Swimbies are taking place on Thursdays as below:

  • 10.30am: Pre School 3 - 5yrs
  • 11.00am: Swimbies Splashers 13 - 24 months
  • 11.30am: Swimbies Paddlers 2 - 3yrs

Foundation - aged 4 and over

Designed for school-aged children who are beginners or completely new to swimming. These lessons will teach them how to be safe in and around water. Previously known as Stage 1, 2, 3.

Foundation classes consist of 3 levels (red, amber and green) which swimmers work towards to complete these lessons.  They are designed to introduce, develop and master water confidence, essential swimming skills and stroke development techniques.

By the end of this course, your child will be able to swim 10 meters unaided learning the basics of all 4 swimming strokes. 

Foundation lessons at Chipping Norton run as per below:

  • Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday : from 4.00pm to 5.00pm
  • Thursday: 4.00pm to 5.30pm
  • Saturday: from 9.00am to 10.00am

Development - age 5+

 

Previously know as Stage 4, 5, 6, 7. Development classes are a level above Foundation lessons and are for children who already have a good basis of swimming skills and who are able to swim 25m unaided. Like our Foundation classes, these cover various ability levels, ensuring each child feels comfortable.

Building on what was learnt in Foundation classes, these lessons will cover more swimming essentials including developing technique across all 4 strokes with basic water survival and rescue skills.

The skills your child will learn in these classes will also contribute to them achieving their Bronze, Silver and Gold milestone awards.

Development lessons run as per below:

  • Monday, Tuesday: from 5pm to 6pm
  • Wednesday: from 5.30pm to 6.00pm
  • Thursday: from 5.30pm to 6.30pm
  • Saturday: from 9.00am to 9.30am

Academy - children who are able to swim more than 200m

The final level of our children’s swimming lessons, Academy classes will help your child develop further and work towards achieving their own personal goals in the pool.

We want to encourage your children to become confident independent swimmers. So, Academy classes are a lot more focused on self-led progression and advanced safety techniques. This will include setting personal targets, junior lifesaving and personal survival techniques.

 

Academy lessons are 45 minutes and available on:

  • Mondays: 6pm
  • Tuesdays: 6pm

More about children's swimming lessons

Please find below some frequently asked questions and useful information to know before registering to lessons. If there is anything else you'd like to know, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our Centre team at ChippingNortonSwimSchool@GLL.ORG or visit us in the centre and speak to a member of staff. We're always happy to help!

What should my child be wearing in the pool?

All swimmers must wear clean swimwear. You can find a guide to appropriate swinmwear here.

What are the teacher to pupil ratios in the lessons?

We deliver lessons with a team of swim teachers in each session. The average ratios can be found below:

  • Pre School class- (Adult required in water)- One swimming teacher to 12 pupils.
  • Pre School class (Adult not required in water)- One swimming teacher to 6 pupils.
  • Foundation classes - One swimming teacher to eight pupils within a team of teachers.
  • Development classes - One swimming teacher to ten pupils within a team of teachers.
  • Academy classes- One swimming teacher to 20 pupils within a team of teachers.

Adult swimming lessons

Adult Swimming Lessons are great for anyone that may be brand new to swimming or just wants to perfect a stroke. We also have a disabled hoist available, so this is a great session for people who may need some help building confidence in the water Find out more about Adult Swimming Lessons here.

Membership is not required and you can book as you please: book a lesson up to a week in advance, just like you would a fitness class or swim session. 

Class duration is 45 minutes, and are available as per below:

Adult Swimming Lessons:

  • Wednesdays: 9.00am
  • Fridays: 9.00am