Learn to swim with confidence

Kidsgrove Sports Centre provides the perfect environment for learning how to swim. The fully accessible, UV filtered pool is one of the finest in Stoke-on-Trent.

Our Learn to Swim programme offers swimming lessons for children of all levels and abilities.

Your child will be taught by our professional, experienced swimming teachers. As they progress through each stage, they will gain confidence and develop a love of water. Our swimming classes are usually taught in small groups but can be provided on a 1-2-1 basis.

We use Swimphony to provide swimming lessons. You will need to register and create a new account with them first. Once registered you can book a slot of your choice depending on your child’s ability*.

Once you have a place, it’s yours for as long as you require. However, your day and time may change as your child progresses through the stages.

If you have any problems or queries, please call our friendly team on 01782 528887

Register for Swim Lessons
Book Swim Lessons

A brief insight…

Curious about our swim lessons but not sure what to expect? Here’s a quick peek at what goes on…

How much are

Swimming lessons?

Our swim lessons cost £31.00 per month and lessons operate for 50 weeks of the year.

Each weekly session is 30 minutes long and conducted by one of our fully qualified swimming teachers.

Register for Swimming Lessons
Book Swimming Lessons
kidsgrove sports centre

SEN Swim Lessons

Our SEN lessons are on Saturday afternoons from 1:00pm – 1.30pm and are led by our fully qualified and experienced instructor, Jess.

They’re designed to support children aged 5-14 with additional needs in a calm, inclusive environment. If required, a parent/guardian can also be present in the water to help support the child’s physical needs.

For further details or to book a place, tap the button below to contact our team.

Call us about SEN Swim Lessons
kidsgrove sports centre

1-2-1 Swim Lessons

Private 1-2-1 swimming lessons with Lexi are available on Tuesday and Friday evenings, and Saturday mornings. Suitable for every stage of the Learn to Swim programme, they’re ideal for children who benefit from individual support and are also available for SEN children.

Book four 30-minute lessons from £120 (1-2-1) or £140 (2-2-1).

For details or to book, tap the button below to contact our team.

Email us about 1-2-1 Swim Lessons

The Learn to Swim programme

Swim England’s Learn to Swim programme is the national syllabus used to help teachers deliver swimming lessons. It offers a fun approach to learning and gives children the confidence to feel safe in the water.

Children are also highly motivated by the badges and certificates awarded after successfully completing each stage. Here are the stages of the programme and what your child needs to do to pass…

Watch the Learn to Swim video
swimming lessons

Discovery Ducklings (Adult & Child Classes)
Designed for our youngest swimmers – from baby to toddler – these fun lessons will introduce your child to water, help them gain confidence and develop a love of water right from the start.

Ducklings
Designed for children under 4 years of age, these enjoyable lessons will help your child move confidently by themselves in the pool, float, and go underwater. By the end of the Ducklings stage, they will be able to take their first strokes without any support.

swimming lessons

Harry the Hermit Crab

  1. Enter the water safely.
  2. Move forward for a distance of 5 metres, feet may be on or off the floor.
  3. Move backwards for a distance of 5 metres, feet may be on or off the floor.
  4. Move sideways for a distance of 5 metres, feet may be on or off the floor.
  5. Scoop the water and wash the face.
  6. Be comfortable with water showered from overhead.
  7. Move from a flat floating position on the back and return to standing.
  8. Move from a flat floating position on the front and return to standing.
  9. Push and glide in a flat position on the front from a wall.
  10. Push and glide in a flat position on the back from a wall.
  11. Give examples of two pool rules.
  12. Exit the water safely.
swimming lessons

Freddie the Fish

  1. Jump in from poolside safely.
  2. Blow bubbles a minimum of three times rhythmically, with nose and mouth submerged.
  3. Move from a flat floating position on the front/back and return to standing without support.
  4. Push from a wall and glide on the back – arms can be by the side or above the head.
  5. Push from a wall and glide on the front, arms extended.
  6. Travel with feet off the pool floor on the back for 5 metres, without the use of floatation equipment.
  7. Travel with feet off the pool floor on the front for 5 metres, without the use of floatation equipment.
  8. Travel 10 metres on front and back, using arms and legs.
  9. Perform a tuck to rotate from flat floating position on the front, to a back floating position, then return to standing.
  10. Perform a tuck to rotate from flat floating position on the back, to a front floating position, then return to standing.
  11. Perform a log roll from the back to the front and from the front to the back.
  12. Exit the water without support.
swimming lessons

Sophia the Seahorse

  1. Jump in from poolside and submerge.
  2. Sink, push away from wall and maintain a streamlined position.
  3. Push and glide on the front with arms extended and log roll onto the back.
  4. Push and glide on the back with arms extended and log roll onto the front.
  5. Travel 5 metres on the front, perform a tuck to rotate onto the back and return on the back.
  6. Fully submerge to pick up an object.
  7. Correctly identify three of the four key water safety messages.*
  8. Push and glide and travel 10 metres on the back.
  9. Push and glide and travel 10 metres on the front.
  10. Perform a tuck float and hold for three seconds.
  11. Exit the water without using steps.

*The four key water safety messages include:
1.) Always swim in a safe place 2.) Always swim with an adult. 3.) If you fall in, float, breathe, relax. 4.) If someone else is in trouble, call 999/112.

swimming lessons

Tilly the Turtle

  1. Perform a sequence of changing shapes (minimum of three) whilst floating on the surface and demonstrate an understanding of floating.
  2. Push and glide from the wall towards the pool floor.
  3. Kick 10 metres backstroke (one item of equipment optional).
  4. Kick 10 metres front crawl (one item of equipment optional).
  5. Kick 10 metres butterfly on the front or on the back.
  6. Kick 10 metres breaststroke on the front (one item of equipment optional).
  7. Perform a head first sculling action for 5 metres in a flat position on the back.
  8. Travel on back and log roll in one continuous movement onto front.
  9. Travel on front and log roll in one continuous movement onto back.
  10. Push and glide and swim 10 metres, choice of stroke is optional.
swimming lessons

Sara the Stingray

  1. Perform a flat stationary scull on the back.
  2. Perform a feet first sculling action for 5 metres in a flat position on the back.
  3. Perform a sculling sequence with a partner for 30-45 seconds to include a rotation.
  4. Tread water for 30 seconds.
  5. Perform three different shaped jumps into deep water.
  6. Push and glide and swim 10 metres backstroke.
  7. Push and glide and swim 10 metres front crawl.
  8. Push and glide and swim 10 metres breaststroke.
  9. Push and glide and swim 10 metres butterfly.
  10. Perform a handstand and hold for a minimum of three seconds.
  11. Perform a forward somersault.
  12. Demonstrate an action for getting help.
swimming lessons

Maisie the Marlin

  1. Give two examples of how to prepare for exercise and understand why it is important.
  2. Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into backstroke.
  3. Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into front crawl.
  4. Swim 10 metres wearing clothes.
  5. Push and glide and swim front crawl to include at least six rhythmical breaths.
  6. Push and glide and swim breaststroke to include at least six rhythmical breaths.
  7. Push and glide and swim butterfly to include at least three rhythmical breaths.
  8. Push and glide and swim backstroke to include at least six regular breaths.
  9. Push and glide and swim 25 metres, choice of stroke is optional.
  10. Perform a ‘shout and signal’ rescue.
  11. Perform a surface dive.
swimming lessons

Wesley the Whale Shark

  1. Push and glide and swim 25 metres backstroke.
  2. Push and glide and swim 25 metres front crawl.
  3. Push and glide and swim 25 metres breaststroke.
  4. Push and glide and swim 25 metres butterfly.
  5. Perform a movement sequence (linking skills with strokes & sculls) of one minute duration, in a group of three or more, incorporating a number of the following skills:
    – Sculling: head first, feet first
    – Rotation: forward or backward somersault, log roll
    – Floating: star on the front or back, tuck float, create own
    – Eggbeater: Moving, lifting one/both arms out of the water
  6. Perform a sitting dive or dive.
  7. Push and glide and swim 50 metres continuously using one stroke.
  8. Push and glide and swim 100 metres, using a minimum of three different strokes.
  9. Tread water using eggbeater action for 30 seconds.
  10. Complete an obstacle course (using minimum of four objects) with feet off the pool floor throughout.

Why keep your child in swim lessons until Stage 7?

Fundamentally, if your child stays in swim lessons until Stage 7 they will become a more competent swimmer and much better equipped to save themselves if they ever get into trouble.

That’s because by the end of stage 7, they will have mastered the 4 key water competency skills…

swim lessons for kids

Star float (Stage 4)

If your child accidentally falls into water, floating on their back is the crucial first step to manage cold water shock and catch their breath. Surviving for more than 60 seconds significantly increases their chances of calling for help or swimming to safety.

swim lessons for kids

Tread water (Stage 5)

After overcoming cold water shock, your child will need to assess their surroundings. Treading water allows them to stay afloat and look around for help or safety.

swim lessons for kids

Swim in Clothing (Stage 6)

Most water accidents happen when people are fully clothed. Practicing swimming in clothes prepares your child for the real-life experience of how different it feels and how to respond effectively.

swim lessons for kids

Swim 100m (Stage 7)

To reach safety, your child might need to swim a considerable distance. Developing the ability to swim 100 metres with ease ensures they have the stamina and skill to get to safety or an object to hold onto.

Water competency saves lives. Completing all 7 stages of our swimming lessons is vital for your child’s safety in water.

Continuing the learning and enjoyment of swimming

We also offer swimming lessons for stages 8-10 as well as the bronze, silver and gold challenge awards. These provide a pathway for swimmers who want to continue to enjoy swimming. The lessons have elements of swimming, diving and lifesaving, so your child has a rounded understanding and important skillset.

More about Learn to Swim Stages 8-10
More about the Swimming Challenge Awards

Some kind words from our customers

Here’s what people are saying about swimming lessons at Kidsgrove Sports Centre…

kidsgrove sports centre review
5 star rated gym

“So glad they updated and reopened this place, both my kids have had swimming lessons here, they love it and have progressed very well.”

GM, Stoke-on-Trent
kidsgrove sports centre review
5 star rated gym

“Went with friends to watch my goddaughter’s swimming lesson. Lovely helpful, friendly staff. Everywhere is very clean and tidy. The swimming pool looks fantastic and my goddaughter is doing very well with the swimming lessons. All the teachers are really nice with the children, which is so important. Will be going again to watch.”

Wendy Crennell, Stoke-on-Trent
kidsgrove sports centre review
kidsgrove sports centre reviews

“My daughter does her swimming lessons here and the facilities are excellent and the staff are really great.”

William B-Jones, Stoke-on-Trent
We also provide

School Swimming lessons

Our school swimming lessons are overseen by Sean, Operations Manager and Swimming Lead at Kidsgrove Sports Centre.

We have a dedicated team of teachers who follow national curriculum guidelines for key stage 1 & 2 and Swim England best practice to give your pupils the chance to progress and achieve their full potential.

Lessons are for 30 minutes or 60 minutes and include two teachers and one lifeguard for the duration. The maximum number of swimmers at any one time is 40.

We have slots available Monday – Friday 1:00pm – 3.30pm.

To enquire about costs, bookings or arranging a visit to the centre, please call us by clicking the button below.

Call the Centre
More about our swimming pool

Swimming lessons FAQ

Here is a list of the questions we are most commonly asked about swimming lessons at Kidsgrove Sports Centre…

Our Learn to Swim programme is incredibly popular and we operate a waiting list.

Register with us now by signing up to our waiting list on Swimphony. Then give us a call (01782 528887) and our team will ensure you are registered for a correct level class, at a day and time to suit. Once places come available in your chosen class we will make everyone on the list aware of this and the times that we have on offer. We will not be able to reserve or guarantee any places ahead of one being allocated.

Please note that sometimes it could take some time for places to become available as swimming lessons are exceptionally popular.

Register for swimming lessons 

If you’re not a member or your child hasn’t had swimming lessons at Kidsgrove Sports Centre before, you will need to register and create a new account with Swimphony first. Once registered you can book a slot of your choice depending on your child’s ability.

Please bear in mind that for Stage 2 swim lessons and above, you can only book these if you are an existing member. Slots for Adult & Child, Ducklings and Stage 1 can all be booked regardless of membership status.

Once you have a place, it’s yours for as long as you require. However, your day and time may change – subject to availability – as your child progresses through the stages.

The cost of our swim lessons is £31.00 per month payable via Direct Debit. Our lessons operate for 50 weeks of the year and each weekly session is 30 mins long with a fully qualified swim teacher

Our lessons operate for 50 weeks of the year.

Our swimming lessons are 30mins in duration.

Kidsgrove Sports Centre will follow the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme. This is a national syllabus which ensures a consistent approach to swimming lesson delivery. All of our lessons will be taught by our experienced and qualified staff, ensuring that you get the very best personalised experience.

Our Parent and Baby Sessions take place on:

  • Monday Afternoon
  • Friday Afternoon
  • Saturday Morning

These sessions start to teach your child the basic skills they need to learn to swim including how to move in water, floating, and how to get in and out of the pool safely.

Note: you won’t be expected to swim as the adult in one of these lessons, so it doesn’t matter if you are a confident swimmer or not. Your role is really just to help your child feel at ease and relaxed, and provide physical support to comfort and reassure them.

Yes, we do. Our Stage 1 to 7 Swimming Lessons follow the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme. This is a national syllabus which ensures a consistent approach to swimming lesson delivery. All of our lessons are taught by our experienced and qualified staff, ensuring that you get the very best experience.

Our Stage 1 to 7 Swimming Lessons require that the learner is at least 4 years old and has been in school for at least 1 term.

We do offer Baby and Pre-School lessons for learners younger than this.

Our swimming lessons take place at the following times:

  • Mondays: 9:30am – 11:00am and 3:30pm – 6:30pm
  • Tuesdays: 3:30pm – 6:30pm
  • Wednesdays: 3:30pm – 6:30pm
  • Thursdays: 3:30pm – 6:30pm
  • Fridays: 1:00pm – 3:00pm and 3:30pm – 6:30pm
  • Saturdays: 9:00am – 1:30pm

You can track the progress of any learner via our interactive swimming lesson portal. Click the link below to access this.

Member Login – Kidsgrove Sports Centre (swimphony.io)

Once the learner has successfully completed a level, their badge and certificate will be available from reception.

Please speak to a member of staff for more infomation.

Please speak to a member of our team who will be happy to assist.

Email: swimming@kidsgrovesportscentre.co.uk

Phone: 01782 528887

If your question is not part of our FAQ, please contact us on 01782 528887 or email swimming@kidsgrovesportscentre.co.uk