Learn to swim

Our Active Aquatics team offer swimming lessons at Bootle Leisure Centre, Meadows Leisure Centre and Dunes Splash World. We deliver a range of swimming lessons which are suitable for all ages and abilities at times that suit you.

Our swimming lessons run all year round and payments are made by monthly direct debit. Our lessons are fully accessible for disabled children and adults. Active Aquatics members enjoy the added benefit of FREE swimming at our public sessions. 

What lessons are available? 

• Adult and Child lessons (age 9 weeks+)
• Children’s swimming lessons (age 4 years+)
• As swimmers progress there are options for activities such as Rookie Lifeguard and competitive swimming
• Adult lessons

Learn at the following locations and times 

How to register

What do I do after I complete the registration form?

Once you have completed the registration form online, you should receive an immediate bounce back email confirming successful registration onto our waiting list.

If you do not receive the bounce back email it means your registration has been unsuccessful and your child has not been placed onto our waiting list.

The Active Aquatics team are not able to place anyone who is not registered onto the waiting list or unable to provide proof of registration in form of the bounce back email.

*Important* If you have more than one child please ensure you register each child individually. Don’t not register multiple children on one registration form as this will not be accepted.

Adult and child swimming lessons – Once you have registered please email us for further information in regard to waiting times active.aquatics@sefton.gov.uk

We ask once you have registered to refrain from contacting the Active Aquatics Team directly.

How are spaces allocated?

Customers are contacted on a first come first served basis once the child is of age.  An email will be sent out to offer a space and they will have seven days to respond.  Spaces that are unfilled after seven days will be offered to the remaining customers on the list.

If a customer doesn't respond after being contacted on three separate occasions via email and text, they will be removed from the swimming lesson.

Improver Swimmers Assessments

It is essential that your child is placed into the appropriate class according to their ability. Before they can join the programme, they may be required to undertake a free swimming assessment to determine which class would best suit them.

Waiting times for improver lessons vary depending on what stage your child requires.

Registration Form  - Please complete the online registration form to place your child on the waiting list for Sefton Council Active Aquatics  https://forms.sefton.gov.uk/swimrecord/

Swimming lesson framework

The Active Aquatics swimming lesson programme is based upon a framework called The Swim England Learn to Swim Programme (the National Governing Body for Swimming) a world-leading syllabus to support children and adults to learn to swim . All our swimming teachers are qualified, committed to continuous improvement and ensure FUN is part of every lesson. 

View further information on the swimming.org website.

Free Public Swimming for Active Aquatics Members

All Active Aquatics purple band holders enjoy the added benefit of FREE swimming at our public sessions.

Swimming Pools Rules and Admissions Policy

Pool Criteria

The admission criteria detailed below is based on national guidance issued by the following governing bodies, The institute of sport & recreation Management (ISRM), Swim England, The Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS) and the Royal society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA)

• All Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a responsible person of 16 years or above.
• The responsible person must go into the water with the child/children they are accompanying.
• Whilst in the pool the responsible person should maintain a constant watch over the child/children they are accompanying and be in close contact with children who are weak or non-swimmers.
• Weak/non-swimmers must wear armbands and are restricted to the shallow end of the main pool.

Important reminder - If your child attends swimming lessons and they are under the age of 8, they are not permitted entry into the main pool before or after their swimming lesson unless accompanied by an adult. Lifeguards reserve the right to remove any swimmer who is in breach of the guidance stated above.

Ratio

• Under 4’s - One adult: one child without armbands or two children with armbands
• 4-7 Years - One adult: Two children with or without armbands
• Mixed ages - One adult: One child under the age of 4 with armbands and one child between the ages of 4 -7 years with or without armbands

Rules for the pool

To improve your swim, we ask that you:

• Shower before entering the pool
• Read and obey all signs
• Familiarise yourself with the pool's depths
• Follow the lifeguard's instructions at all times
• Wear a buoyancy aid and stay within safe standing depth if necessary
• Do not eat or drink alcohol immediately prior to swimming
• Tie back long hair
• Use the protective blue overshoes provided

Guide To Swimming Lessons	(pdf 534KB)
Family Games Print	(pdf 485KB)
Active Aquatics Terms Conditions V6	(pdf 246KB)