Enquiries

What availability do you have?

The availability depends on the venue and level. To check the timetable for each venue please go to our Register page. You can contact us through the client hub on the Register page with the class level and venue or through the Contact Us page.

Where do you provide lessons? (Please select a venue for more information)

We provide lessons at the following venues:

• St Leonards School, St Andrews

• James Gillespie's High School, Edinburgh

• Queensferry High School, Queensferry

What level should my child be? (Please select a level for more information)

With the exception of the Preschool lesson, the levels are based on swimming ability. The levels and minimum requirements are as follows:

• Preschool: For those aged 2.5 years old to 5 years old (only one 2.5 year old per class) 

• Foundation: Non swimmers, generally for ages 5 and up but confident 4 year olds can join

• Beginner: Able to swim 5 metres front crawl and back crawl, using arms and legs, confidently unaided

• Improver: Able to swim 10 metres front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke and 5 metres butterfly confidently unaided

• Advanced: Able to swim 25 metres front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke and 10 metres butterfly confidently

• Elite: Able to swim 400 metres continuously

What should I bring to lessons?

All you need to bring is swimming gear (costume, towel, goggles if you have them). Floats, noodles etc will be provided.

Can parents stay on poolside?

The rules for parents staying on poolside depend on the venue's rules. Each venue's rules are available on the individual venue page. 

• St Leonards School - As there is no viewing are parents are unable to stay on poolside during lessons.

• James Gillespie's High School - As the spectator area is currently closed parents are unable to stay on poolside during the lessons.

• Queensferry High School - As there is no viewing area parents are unable to stay on poolside during the lessons. There is seating just outside the pool area where parents can wait.

Other swim schools allow parents on poolside at James Gillespie's why don't you?

As every swim school runs differently we have made the decision not to allow parents on poolside as we have found that swimmers progress better without parents on poolside. Other swim schools charge more for lessons and have higher class ratios but we have decided not to do that. It is also a way for us to control who has access to the lessons for child protection purposes as we cannot control who accesses the building. 

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Are parents in the pool with the Preschool/Foundation class?

No, as they are not a parent and child class. The teacher will be in the pool with the class, so there will be an adult in the pool with them.

My child is of school age, which level should they be? (Please select a level for more information)

With the exception of the Preschool lesson, the levels are based on swimming ability. The levels and minimum requirements for school aged children are as follows:

• Foundation: Non swimmers, generally for ages 5 and up but confident 4 year olds can join

• Beginner: Able to swim 5 metres front crawl and back crawl, using arms and legs, confidently unaided

• Improver: Able to swim 10 metres front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke and 5 metres butterfly confidently unaided

• Advanced: Able to swim 25 metres front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke and 10 metres butterfly confidently

• Elite: Able to swim 400 metres continuously

What are the class ratios? (Please select a level for more information)

The class ratios are as follows:

• Preschool 1:4

• Foundation 1:4

• Beginner 1:5

• Improver 1:6

• Advanced 1:8

• Elite 1:10

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Are the teachers in or out of the water? (Please select a level for more information)

Depending on the level the teachers are either in or out of the water. 

• Preschool - in the water

• Foundation - in the water

• Beginner - in or out the water

• Improver - out of the water

• Advanced - out of the water

• Elite - out of the water

At what age can lessons start from?

Swimmers can start as young as 2.5 years old. As no parents are in the pool swimmers will need to be comfortable being in the pool with just the teacher. 

My child can't swim yet, should I bring armbands with me?

If your child will point blank refuse to go near the pool without them then feel free to bring armbands. If not, then there's no need to bring them. Most teacher will take them off, unless the swimmer is very uncomfortable without them, as they restrict arm movement.

Is there parking available at the venue?

Yes, there is parking available.

• St Leonards School - there is on street parking available on The Pends (the street with the entrance to the school), with more parking available at the harbour.

• James Gillespie's High School - car park available

• Queensferry High School - car park available

Do you provide private lessons?

Yes, we provide private lessons on a One to One and One to Two basis. It's £22.00 per lesson for a One to One lesson and £14.00 per person per lesson for a One to Two lesson. Block booking discounts are also available.

Do you provide adult lessons? (Please select a level for more information)

Yes, we do. We have three group classes, Beginner, Improver and Swim Fit.

The Beginner level is for non swimmers up to those able to swim 100 metres confidently. The class is 30 minutes, there's a maximum of 4 in the class and the teacher is in the water.

The Improver level is for those able to swim 100 metres up to those able to swim 400 metres confidently. The class is 45 minutes, there's a maximum of 6 in the class and the teacher is on poolside. 

The Swim Fit level is for those able to swim 400 metres. The class is 60 minutes, there's a maximum of 10 in the class and the teacher is on poolside. 

It's £8.70 per lesson for Beginner, £9.20 per lesson for Improver and £9.70 per lesson for Swim Fit. We also provide private lessons for adults.

My child wants to do something different to the normal learn to swim levels, can you help? (Please select a level for more information)

Yes, we also run Rookie Lifeguard and Swim Fit classes for those able to swim at least 25 metres. Our Rookie Lifeguard classes cover lifesaving strokes and rescues with up to 10 Rookies. Our Swim Fit class gives swimmers sets to complete to improve their fitness with up to 10 swimmers.

My child is interested in the Rookie Lifeguard class, what's involved in the class?

Rookie's will learn lifesaving strokes and rescues through games and scenarios. Rookies must be able to swim at least 25 metres confidently.

Can my child try a lesson before committing to the term?

Yes, but please get in touch to arrange a trial.

Will my child have the same teacher for the duration of the term?

We can't guarantee teachers will not get sick, or have plans outside of work that means they will be unable to teach, but will do what we can to keep teachers as consistent as possible.

When do the terms start?

The terms tend to run in line with the local school terms. St Leonards School may differ slightly due to the private school holidays. To check the dates for the most recent term just click on the venue on our Locations page. Alternatively you can use our Calendar.

How long are the children's lessons?

With the exception of the Elite level, the lessons are 30 minutes. The Elite lessons are 45 minutes.

I'm looking for private lessons, can you provide them at a venue of my choosing?

Unfortunately, no. Not all pools allow swimming lessons to take place, so we can only run lessons at venues we have an agreement with.

My child is between two levels, which one should I book?

If you're trying to decide between two levels the best thing to do is go for the lower level. It's much easier to move swimmers up a level, boosting their confidence, than potentially having them struggle and lose confidence.