Our children's swimming lessons suit swimmers from around 3 to 12 years who are ready for independent classes with the teacher in the water. Younger babies and toddlers start in our parent and baby sessions before moving into Stage 1.
Children are placed in groups by ability, not age. That means your child progresses when they are ready, in a class where they feel confident rather than being held back or rushed because of their birthday.
Lessons follow the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework. Swimmers earn stage badges as they progress, plus distance awards alongside their stage achievements. Our instructors keep sessions fun and achievable while building real swimming skills week by week.
For programme overview and lesson fees, see our swimming lessons hub.
Each stage builds on the last. Below is what your child will work towards at every step of the pathway.
Fun and enjoyment are central as swimmers develop water confidence. Children are introduced to the water and work towards independence, with emphasis on feeling safe and comfortable before moving on. Completers typically move straight to Stage 2.
Ideal for swimmers with little or no previous experience. Informal play helps children move freely in the water, submerge, open their eyes underwater, float and travel using simple movements with arms and legs.
Swimmers become more at home on and under the water. The focus shifts towards watermanship: controlled breathing, experimenting with propulsion and developing ease in the pool.
Swimmers build competence in basic propulsion using main strokes, with good streamlining, breathing control, sculling, treading water and swimming underwater.
Aquatic skills are consolidated so pupils swim competently on front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke over 25 metres, and butterfly over 10 metres. Turns and safe foundation practices for diving are introduced.
More efficient swimming and wider aquatic awareness, including personal water safety and survival swimming. Swimmers may be introduced to disciplines such as synchronised swimming, water polo and diving as they develop.
Further development of main strokes with an introduction to early competitive swimming training, healthy lifestyle swimming, and basic aerobic endurance and speed work.
Effective technique and racing skills are consolidated through drills and practices, preparing swimmers for club developmental coaching programmes.
Swimmers refine racing skills and training habits, building the foundation for competitive swimming if they choose that path.
The final learn-to-swim stages introduce more demanding aspects of training development. Swimmers who complete Stage 10 may progress to our advanced coaching and club pathway.
Many parents contact us because their child is anxious around water or has had a difficult experience elsewhere. Our instructors are experienced at building trust at the child's pace, using small steps, encouragement and ability-matched groups so no one feels out of their depth.
If your child needs extra focus, private swimming lessons can help them build confidence before joining a group. Tell us about your child when you enquire and we will recommend the right starting point.
Children's group lessons run at pools across Bolton and Greater Manchester, including St Catherine's Academy Bolton. Families from Leigh, Wigan, Chorley, Atherton, Horwich and surrounding towns regularly swim with us. Adult lessons also run at Health Hub Sharples.
View our swimming lesson venues or send an enquiry and we will match you to the nearest suitable class.
Independent children's stages typically begin from around 3 years, when swimmers are ready for Stage 1 without a parent in the water. Younger children from 3 months can start in our parent and baby classes.
By ability. Your child is placed where they can progress confidently, not purely by how old they are.
Swimmers earn Swim England Learn to Swim Stage badges (1–10) as they progress, plus distance badges alongside their stage awards.
Group lessons offer great social progression and value. See group lesson fees. Private lessons suit children who want focused coaching or need to build confidence quickly. Compare private lesson options, or read group vs private swimming lessons for a fuller comparison.
Send an enquiry and we will advise on the right stage, venue and class for your child.
