Lessons and courses

Learn to swim programme

Maximise your child's full potential in learning water confidence, skills and strokes

Bury Leisure's Learn to Swim Programme follows the National Plan for Teaching Swimming which has been developed by the ASA.

The National Plan is recognised throughout the country as being the most comprehensive awards scheme to maximise your child's full potential in learning water confidence, skills and strokes.

All of our swimming instructors are professionally qualified and follow clear assessment criteria for teaching your child to swim.

Water skills are taught at all levels, initially through fun activities which will improve your child's water confidence. Stroke development is introduced early on to provide a strong foundation on which to build and develop further skills.

Badges and certificates are awarded as follows.

ASA Levels 1-8, plus distance badges alongside, Bronze, Silver and Gold Challenges are also offered.

Swimming classes we offer

Duckling classes for under 5's
- Daytime lessons for pre-school age.
- Evening/weekend lessons for 3 to 4 year olds in full time education (subject to availability).

Level Classes for over 4's (in full time education)
- Evening/weekend lessons.

Availability

Non swimmers

• Demand for classes for non-swimmers is always high so when necessary we have a waiting list.
• Lessons for non-swimmers are available at various times, 7 days per week at all of our three centres.

Swimmers

• Children who already have some swimming ability can usually slot into a class that is suitable for their skills level.

How to book, re-book and pay for swimming lessons and courses

• All courses are run over 10 weeks and lessons are offered on a continuous rolling programme.
• In the first instance you will need to contact us to find out about current availability. 
• Re-booking of courses takes place during week 8 of the 10 week swimming course. 
• You must re-book courses during the re-booking weeks otherwise your place will be offered to another child on the waiting list. 
• If you provide us with your e-mail address we can let you know by e-mail when payments for courses are due.
• Payments for courses can be made online, by credit/debit card over the phone, in person by cash, cheque or credit/debit card.
• We are unable to offer refunds or credit for any lessons missed unless a doctor's note is provided with a covering letter. 

Progress and achievement records

• Every teacher keeps a progress and achievement record for each of their classes. Badges are issued once your child has completed every skill and stroke development within each level. The teacher will hand your child a badge slip for you to take to reception to purchase a badge.
• Your child will only progress when we think they are ready to do so. As children learn and master skills at different rates, this will not always be at the end of each course of lessons. Please be aware that the higher levels and challenge badges do take a lot longer to achieve.

Poolside rules

For reasons of safety and because it disrupts lessons and the teacher's concentration please do not enter the pool area unless it is absolutely necessary.

More information

For more information please see the swimming notice boards in each centre.

Fun lessons and courses for children

RLSS rookie lifesaver

Why not try your hand at life saving techniques, water safety skills, rescue breathing techniques and lots more! For 8 to 14 year olds. All children must be able to swim 100 meters. Please book in advance.

Castle Leisure Centre, Wednesdays, 4.30pm to 5.30pm.

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