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School Age
Swimming Lessons
School Age Children’s Lessons
As your child grows, so does their swimming journey. At Shirley Pool, we offer a carefully structured programme that supports school-aged children from their very first confident splashes to advanced swimming skills, club training and beyond.
With small classes, experienced teachers, and a progression pathway that’s fun, rewarding, and motivating, your child will build confidence, strength and technique at every stage.
School Age
Swimming Lessons
 Pool | Learner & Main Pool |
 Temparature | 32 & 28.6 degrees |
 Duration | 30 minutes |
 Age Group | 5+ |
 Price | £49.80 per month |
Progression Stages
01
Beginners
Perfect for children starting lessons at school age, these classes focus on water confidence, floating, breathing control, and the basics of stroke technique. Children work towards Duckling, 5m and their first Water Skills badges.
To progress:
Swim 5m on front and back with a strong leg kick and attempt an inversion.
02
Tadpoles
Designed as the bridge between the cosy learner pool and the bigger main pool, Tadpoles gently introduce deeper water. Lessons focus on good body position, leg kicks, simple backstroke, and early front crawl. Breath control becomes a key skill, and every week children enjoy an “underwater tea party” in the deep end – helping them discover that water is safe when you stay calm.
To progress:
Somersault with a nose clip, swim 25m using just legs, and confidently jump into the deep end.
03
Backstroke
Now it’s time to refine technique. Children learn advanced backstroke and start breathing patterns for front crawl. Sessions include underwater skills, sculling, leg drills, and the first stages of diving. Each lesson ends with jumping or diving progressions.
To progress:
Somersault, tread water, and swim 50m backstroke.
04
Frontcrawl
Front crawl skills are developed in detail, with children learning to rotate onto their side for a breath – a tricky but essential technique. With focused practice and repetition, proper front crawl comes together.
To progress:
Swim 100m, including 25m front crawl and 75m backstroke. Diving skills also develop, moving towards free-standing dives.
05
Breaststroke
The most technical stroke to master. Starting with frog-style legs on land, then in the pool on the back and front, children carefully piece together the timing of arms, legs and breathing. Flippers are introduced to strengthen technique, with plenty of patience and encouragement as timing falls into place.
06
Butterfly
Butterfly builds on body movements children have practised from day one. Taught in the deep section, stamina and confidence grow steadily, and early somersaults evolve into tumble turns. Advanced backstroke and front crawl techniques are also refined here, alongside diving skills from the poolside blocks.
07
Turtles
Now swimmers have mastered all four strokes and can dive, it’s time to focus on speed, stamina, and performance. These one-hour sessions run every weekday at 5pm and Saturdays at 9:00am or 11:30am. Swimmers work towards ASA Bronze, Silver, Gold and Honours Awards, as well as Personal Survival and Water Rescue.
08
Saints Swim Club
Duration: 60 minutes
The natural next step for strong swimmers – our club sessions build stamina, sharpen technique, and prepare children for galas and competitions, including our Annual Club Championships.
But Saints is a swim club with a difference. Alongside competitive training, we offer a broad programme that keeps swimmers engaged and inspired. Sessions include elements of lifesaving, fitness, and even water polo, giving children the chance to enjoy variety in the water while developing valuable skills that go beyond racing.
Badges & Flippers
Progress is celebrated every step of the way! Every eight weeks, children attempt distance swims up to 100m in class, with longer distances (up to 2,000m) offered on Saturday afternoons.
Certificates and badges are available at reception, and after each badge week comes Flipper Week – a highlight for every swimmer, with fun treasure hunts in the pool using flippers.
Why Shirley Swimming Pool
Specialist swimming tuition for all ages
Our experienced instructors teach in the water alongside swimmers, creating a calm, supportive space for faster learning and greater confidence. From babies just six weeks old to adults rediscovering their strokes, our personalised learn to swim programme ensures everyone progresses at their own pace.
Customer focused flexibility
We make it easy to get started with a free trial lesson and no pressure to commit. Missed a class? No problem – our simple online booking system lets you reschedule with ease, so swimming always fits around your life.
Family-Run, Community-Focused – More Than Just a Pool
At Shirley Swimming Pool, you’re not just another swimmer – you’re part of the family. As a proudly family-run business, we’re known for our warm atmosphere, friendly team, and fun extras like our Big Red Bus café and local events that bring the community together.
