Swimming lessons and classes

With 113 heated swimming pools nationwide, and a range of lessons and pool-based activities including family splash and lane swimming, there are plenty of ways for you to keep fit and have fun in the water.

Swimming lessons for adults and children

We’re committed to teaching the UK to swim. From your child’s first introduction to the water, to honing your skills or recovering physically, our swim schools can give you expert guidance and support.

• We offer swim lessons for children and adults
• Our instructors deliver the Swim England Learn to Swim programme for children
• Our adult lessons follow the Adult Swimming Framework
• We offer options for group lessons, 1-to-1s and 2-to-1s for both adults and children
• Group lessons can be bought in packs of 12 weeks
• 1-to-1 and 2-to-1 options can be bought in 4, 8 and 12 packs
• All of our sessions are 30 minutes in duration (except for Group Squad sessions, which are 60 minutes)
• From April 2023 our swim lesson programme will run throughout the year for 50 weeks (with a 2-week break in December).

Search for a swim school near you to see what lessons and classes are available, then simply call to book. 

FAQs

• Purchasing swim and ways to pay
  • How can I purchase swim?

    The first step is to make an enquiry either in person at your local centre or via the online swim enquiry form. This form can be found by searching for your local centre in the search bar at the top of this page and selecting the correct centre from the drop down. This will then display the swim lessons and courses offered at your local centre along with the enquiry form and a telephone number to call if preferred.
    
    You can purchase swim lessons in your local centre using a credit or debit card. Once a space has been allocated, the easiest way to top up your sessions is online with a credit or debit card via CoursePro. Simply ask a member of the swim team for more information and they will be happy to guide you through the process.

  • Do I have to be a member of Nuffield Health to purchase swim packs?

    In some of our centres our swim school is oversubscribed and as such you will need to be a member to participate in swimming lessons. For the majority of our centres, swimming lessons are available to members and non-members. Ask at your local centre for information on any restrictions.

  • What happens once I have paid for my swim packs?

    You will receive an email confirming the times and days of your swimming lessons. You will also receive a link to follow to see the swimmer’s CoursePro Progress. You will be able to top up lessons through this portal once the initial payment has been made at reception. You will also be able to see all criteria assessments for the stages booked.

  • Who carries out swim lessons?

    Our qualified swim instructors who deliver the Learn to Swim programme.

  • How do I arrange my sessions?

    Please arrange these with the Swim Manager at your local centre.

  • How long is a swimming lesson?

    All of our swim lessons are 30 minutes in length except for our Squad group lessons which are 60 minutes in length.

• Cancellations and missing a session
  • What happens if I miss a session/s?

    Unless there is a medical reason for missing the session, you will lose a credit. If you need to miss sessions for a medical reason, please provide a medical exception letter to say that you are unable to swim and contact your local centre as soon as possible.

  • Can I cancel swim lessons purchased online via CoursePro or in-centre before the course or session starts?

    We run a continuous swim program. If for any reason, Nuffield Health needs to cancel a swimming lesson your/your child’s swimming lessons credit will not be affected. NB: in adverse weather conditions, where the centre remains open and scheduled lessons go ahead, credits will not be given to those who do not attend.
    
    However, if you are having private 1-to-1 or 2-to-1 swimming lessons you will be able to cancel before the session starts. You are responsible for providing adequate notice of any cancellation for private 1-to- or 2-to-1 lessons. Nuffield Health requires a minimum of 24 hours’ advance notice of cancellation and failure to provide this notice will result in a full deduction in your credits for the lesson(s) missed. NB: that a message left on an answer phone is not considered satisfactory notice.

  • Can I amend or change the time of my swimming sessions?

    We can change times and days on a permanent basis, but not on a weekly basis.

  • What happens if I get injured and can’t continue with my swimming lessons or course?

    We will need a medical exception letter to say that you are unable to swim and will be able to add credits on for the lessons missed during injury.

  • When do my swimming sessions expire?

    All private lesson packs (1-to-1 and 2-to-1) have an expiry of 90-days. This means you can use your sessions for up to 90-days from purchase. However, if your sessions go past their expiry date and you have not used them within the 90-day window, then the sessions will be lost (barring medical or extenuating circumstances).
    
    For group sessions, once all credits are used, they will expire – this will be after 12 weeks or the length of the group course.

  • What happens to my sessions if I go past expiry?

    If your sessions go past the expiry date for the given pack and you have not used them, then the sessions will be lost.

  • Can I get a refund if I don’t like it?

    Nuffield Health Swim School does not provide refunds. Upon exceptional circumstances, credits may be issued. Credits may be issued upon the following proviso only; medical, in which medical documentation is provided.

• Group swimming
  • How many sessions are the group courses?

    Our traditional Learn to Swim group courses are all 12 sessions in length.

  • How long are the group sessions?

    Our group sessions are all 30 minutes in length, except for our group Squad sessions which are 60 minutes in length.

  • Can I make a purchase for my child or children?

    Yes parents/guardians must purchase on behalf of your child/children.

  • Are group courses available for adults?

    Yes, our group courses are available for adults and children. Please speak to your local centre to check availability and for further information.

  • How can I check my child’s progress?

    You can view updates on your child’s progress by logging into your account on CoursePro. Please speak to a member of the swim team for guidance on how to do this if you’re unsure.

  • How will the dates and times of each session be communicated to me?

    The swim manager will pass on communications regarding swim lesson dates and times.

  • Does the group course run during the school holidays?

    From April 2023 Nuffield Health will run swim lessons throughout the year for 50 consecutive weeks, with a 2 week break in December.

  • Do swim lessons run over the bank holidays?

    Please speak to your centre directly with regards to lesson dates and times.

• Group Crash Course

  From April 2023, Group Crash Courses will no longer be available as we will be delivering swim lessons for 50 consecutive weeks throughout the year, with a 2 week break in December.

• 2-to-1 swim sessions
  • How do I purchase 2-to-1 (partner) swim?

    You can purchase 2-to-1 swim lessons as 4, 8 and 12 packs in your local fitness and wellbeing centre with a debit or credit card. Direct debit is not currently available.

  • Is this purchased by one person or two?

    Payment is arranged by the ‘partners’. We would take one payment from one of the ‘partners’. Please note that both swimmers need to be either members (to receive member pricing), or both people need to be non-members (to receive non-member pricing), we do not allow a mix of 1 member and 1 non-member.

  • Do you have to stick with the same partner for the whole 4, 8 or 12 pack/ every session?

    You need to remain with the same partner throughout the duration of each pack purchased.

  • Which packs are 2-to-1 swimming lessons available to purchase in?

    2-to-1 swim is available as 4, 8 and 12 packs and sessions are 30 minutes in length.

  • How does the 25% discount each work?

    Our 2-to-1 swim packs are 150% of the price of our like for like 1-to-1 4, 8 and 12 packs. Therefore, you are making a saving of 25% each compared to like for like 1-to-1 packs.

The A-Z of why swimming is great for children

How music therapist Claire found inspiration in swimming

How 86-year-old Joyce learnt to swim after a stroke