Learning to swim is an important life skill. Our swimming lessons are delivered by our friendly and experienced teaching team in a fun and engaging way to ensure that your child is safe and confident in the water.
Our lessons
Our lessons follow the Swim England ‘Learn to Swim’ programme. Here at Zest, we also have additional sub-criteria unique to our pool, to help them to develop a strong swimming technique. Once your child has achieved the criteria for each stage, for a small fee, a badge and certificate can be purchased at reception.
Our fully qualified and highly experienced instructors are fully DBS checked so you can ensure that your child is in safe hands.
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We run just two classes at the same time, which allows ample pool space for your child to enjoy their swimming lesson. This is a unique setup amongst swimming lesson offerings in Sheffield. There is a maximum of 10 children in stages 1 and 2 and 12 in stages 3 to 7.
Submit your details below to enquire about booking your child onto our swimming lessons.
Our Stages
Ducklings
Our Ducklings class runs on a Saturday at 3.25pm. These are structured swimming lessons designed specifically for children aged 4-5 years who may be at school and missing out on our mainstream lessons. There are four stages, each one tailored to suit the ability of your child. Once your child turns five years old they will be able to join our mainstream lessons straight away. Find out more.
Stage 1
Stage 1 classes are for children age 5 and above. The classes introduces basic water confidence skills using back floats and arm rings. The children are taught front crawl and backstroke leg kick whilst maintaining a horizontal body position over short distances. We teach your child how to swim on their side, float and push off from the side of the pool. Your child will become confident in putting their faces in the water and they will learn basic pool safety. At Zest, we also introduce breaststroke legs and show them how to jump in safely.
Stage 2
At the start of stage 2, back floats are still allowed but no arm rings. By the end of stage this stage, we expect your child to be swimming without aids over longer distances. We build on what was learned in stage 1, introducing a more streamlined body position and teaching push and glides and basic rotations. We introduce backstroke and breaststroke arms and develop front crawl arm practices further.
Stage 3
In stage 3, the children become more confident as they begin to explore all four strokes. We introduce a dolphin kick and overarm recovery in the front crawl. We also teach breaststroke with the feet turning out and develop the backstroke arms further. Push and glides are advanced to add in more complex rotation and we expect children to jump in and reach the bottom of the pool. We progress your child’s stamina and control by increasing the distances they will be able to swim.
Stage 4
Stage 4 develops more efficient stroke techniques for the full length of our pool – 16-18 metres. A higher level of skills is required to pass this stage, and a new stroke is introduced at this stage – the Butterfly. We advance the other strokes, with front crawl side rotation and highlight the glide in Breaststroke. Backstroke techniques are advanced highlighting continuous arms. We introduce push and glides to the bottom of the floor and rotations whilst continually swimming.
Stage 5
Through level 5 we ensure that all swimmers can perform all four major strokes, reinforcing what has been learned in stages 1 to 4. We teach more efficient techniques for the whole length of the pool building on your child’s stamina and strength even further. The butterfly stroke is advanced and we introduce treading water, sculling, handstands and forward rolls.
Stages 6 and 7
We combine levels 6 and 7 together. We teach more advanced and efficient swimming techniques for all four strokes. Children need to demonstrate that they can swim up to 100m using a minimum of three strokes. We develop treading water techniques and introduce diving and lifesaving techniques including swimming a length of the pool with clothes on.
Stage 8
Our stage 8 builds on the fundamentals of stages 1-7, with a greater emphasis on endurance and introducing starts, transitions and turns. The stage also introduces dive tracks and grab starts. A great introduction for your child if they are thinking of moving into squad.
Your child’s swimming journey doesn’t stop here. After stage seven you will be signposted to local clubs and local initiatives that offer progression opportunities for your child.
Your child can start stage 1 at 5 years old. We also offer Parent and Toddler sessions in the daytime. These classes are for babies, toddlers and children under 5.
All lessons must be paid for in advance. We accept payment via debit / credit card or cash and we will also accept payment by BACS. Payments must be made in a timely manner to ensure your child’s lesson place is retained.
No refund or credit is given for any missed session due to general illness, late arrival or non-attendance unless supported by a GP letter.
Likewise, we do not allow customers to freeze lessons payments and their child retains their space, apart from medical reasons.
Our programme follows the ‘Swim England Learn to Swim’ syllabus from stage 1 absolute beginners to stage 7/8 where your child will be competent in all four strokes.
We thrive on providing safe, fun and engaging lessons so that each child enjoys their swimming journey and improves their confidence in the water.
When you come into the building go to reception and tell the receptionist your child's name and we will mark you down on the system. You will then be asked for your first payment.
You can then proceed to the changing rooms to prepare them for their first lesson. It is important that you check-in at reception before every lesson.
Please drop off your child just before the lesson is due to begin. If you arrive too early, you will be asked to wait outside due to safety reasons.
We recommend that your child arrives ‘beach ready’ with their swimwear already on which will speed up the process of getting them ready for their lesson.
Don’t forget:
Appropriate swimwear
No jewellery
No armbands or other buoyancy aids, Zest provides all the necessary equipment for your child’s lesson. Some children however may prefer to bring their own woggle.
Please ensure your child hasn’t eaten anything substantial before the session and encourage them to use the bathroom beforehand to minimise disruption to the lesson.
We do not allow parents on the poolside, due to safety reasons. Please drop off your child just before the lesson is about to begin. To ensure your child gets the most out of the lesson please make sure they are changed and ready to join straight away.
You are then asked to wait within the library area whilst your child is having their lesson. If your child is over 8 you may leave the building but we advise that you stay close in case we need to get in touch with you.
We do not allow you to wait in the changing area during the lessons.
Please return to the changing area to be ready to collect your child no earlier than 5 minutes before the lesson finishes. For safety reasons, please do not come onto the poolside whilst waiting for your child at the end of lessons. Please ensure that your child remains in their swimwear when showering after lessons.
We endeavour to provide the same instructor each week to ensure continuity of your child's progress. From time to time we may need to provide an alternative instructor due to instructor sickness or annual leave.
Every child will learn and progress at their own pace. We thrive on teaching the skills properly and with care rather than rushing them through the programme, we find children enjoy their lessons more when they are able to progress at their own level.
We will work with you to determine the most effective way we can accommodate children with SEND or disabilities. Initially, we may propose a trial session to assess their individual suitability. Our teachers will make recommendations based on their professional judgment.
If we don’t feel our lessons are suitable for your child and we are unable to accommodate them in a mainstream class then we may signpost you to an alternative pathway for your child at another pool . At present, we do not provide customised lessons tailored for SEND or disabilities.
A passing up form will be given to your child once they have completed all the skills required for a particular stage. Take this to reception where you will be able to organise the next stage for your child. Certificates and badges are available for £3.25 each at reception.
If your child is brand new to swimming, stage 1 will be the most appropriate. Otherwise please discuss the requirements with us, or if they have taken swimming lessons elsewhere let us know what levels they achieved and we will allocate them what we think is the most appropriate stage. We will assess your child during their first lesson to ensure the group is appropriate for their skill level.
If you would like an update on your child's progression, we operate a 5-minute gap between lessons to give you a chance to speak to the swimming instructor.
If your child is feeling unwell, has a cold or an upset stomach we advise that you do not bring them to the lesson. Please consider others in the group and they may not enjoy their class You will have to stand the payment unless supported by a medical certificate.
If your child has an ear infection please do not bring them swimming until it is fully better.
Please notify us of any illness, injuries or medical conditions that may impact on your child’s ability to participate and we can discuss this with you.
If your child is ill we will call you up to the poolside to collect them. It is not unusual for some children to be nervous especially during their first few sessions. We ask that you trust our instructors to help reassure your child. The instructor will feedback on any issues at the end of the class.
The swimming lesson programme runs for 51 weeks per year, breaking for 1 week during the Christmas holidays. We are also closed on bank holidays and Good Friday.
Please encourage your child to use the bathroom before the lesson to minimise disruption. If your child does need the toilet during their swimming lesson they will be sent to the disabled cabin opposite the poolside entrance which is visible to the lifeguard and teachers.
To find out more about any of our services, please use the enquiry form below. Your message will be sent to the relevant team member, who will be in touch soon!
