FAQ's
Answers to the meaning of life, the great mysteries of the Universe and whether to wear goggles.
Registering
How do I join?
Go to Booking on the menu and choose either Babies & Tots or Kids Academy from the drop-down menu. You need to create an account to book a course.
Or click here to book right now on the booking portal.
Go to Booking on the menu and choose either Babies & Tots or Kids Academy from the drop-down menu. You need to create an account to book a course.
Or click here to book right now on the booking portal.
BOOKING
How much do lessons cost?
We offer a monthly flat fee for the courses. Click costs for your chosen class below:
Babies & Tots
Kids Academy
We offer a monthly flat fee for the courses. Click costs for your chosen class below:
Babies & Tots
Kids Academy
How does the online booking work?
During registering your online account you can choose your course(s). Once registered you can access the Parent Portal. The Parent Portal is your private online space where all your swim-related details are kept.
When you join you will create an account and will be required to fill in name, plus the details of any students (children) you'd like to enrol. Plus payment details.
On the Parent Portal you can:
During registering your online account you can choose your course(s). Once registered you can access the Parent Portal. The Parent Portal is your private online space where all your swim-related details are kept.
When you join you will create an account and will be required to fill in name, plus the details of any students (children) you'd like to enrol. Plus payment details.
On the Parent Portal you can:
- Keep your students details (children) including medical conditions etc
- Add and update payment details
- View invoices
- View and book courses
- View your messages
- Send messages to us
- Check and sign our policies (they are periodically updated)
How many weeks are in a term?
It depends which term (Spring/Summer/Autumn) but generally terms are 11-12wks. Over a year you would have 35+ lessons.
It depends which term (Spring/Summer/Autumn) but generally terms are 11-12wks. Over a year you would have 35+ lessons.
Can I book less than 1 term?
You don't need to book for a term, you sign up on a monthly basis. However if you cancel your place will go to the next person on our waiting list and you will need to wait for a place to become free.
You don't need to book for a term, you sign up on a monthly basis. However if you cancel your place will go to the next person on our waiting list and you will need to wait for a place to become free.
What happens if I book midway through a month?
Your first payment is a full month's payment in advance for next month, plus any sessions left in the initial month of joining (these are calculated in a pro-rated manner).
If you would like to wait and start at the beginning of the month you can just email us and we won't charge for the remaining sessions in the booking month.
Your first payment is a full month's payment in advance for next month, plus any sessions left in the initial month of joining (these are calculated in a pro-rated manner).
If you would like to wait and start at the beginning of the month you can just email us and we won't charge for the remaining sessions in the booking month.
Do I need to know what level my child is to book?
No we carry out a full assessment as part of their first 1-2 weeks' lessons. When you book, just choose the day and time you would like and (if you have an inkling) let us know what swim ability your child has.
No we carry out a full assessment as part of their first 1-2 weeks' lessons. When you book, just choose the day and time you would like and (if you have an inkling) let us know what swim ability your child has.
I want to cancel my initial booking - Can I?
Yes - To abide by distance selling regulations, you have a 7 working day cooling off period
from the date of your booking.
Bear in mind this withdrawal right shall no longer be exercised if the first lesson has been taken before the expiry of the cooling off period.
Yes - To abide by distance selling regulations, you have a 7 working day cooling off period
from the date of your booking.
Bear in mind this withdrawal right shall no longer be exercised if the first lesson has been taken before the expiry of the cooling off period.
I want to cancel my membership - Can I?
You can cancel at any time. You need to cancel by email. Your notice period is 4wks. You will be able to come to your final sessions. Once you cancel, your place will be given to top of the waiting list and if you would like to join again in the future you will need to join the waiting list.
You can cancel at any time. You need to cancel by email. Your notice period is 4wks. You will be able to come to your final sessions. Once you cancel, your place will be given to top of the waiting list and if you would like to join again in the future you will need to join the waiting list.
Can you help me access the Parent Portal?
Yes if you call 01494 856007 and explain the problem during office hours we will help. Also email [email protected] and we will get to it asap.
Yes if you call 01494 856007 and explain the problem during office hours we will help. Also email [email protected] and we will get to it asap.
Payments
How and when are payments taken?
After joining you will be asked to add your payment details onto the Parent Portal. We process the transaction within 48hrs. Once joined, you will be on the monthly plan and we process monthly transactions on or around the 1st each month.
After joining you will be asked to add your payment details onto the Parent Portal. We process the transaction within 48hrs. Once joined, you will be on the monthly plan and we process monthly transactions on or around the 1st each month.
Are my card details safely stored?
Our database software is served by Jackrabbit who utilise a TLS 1.2 security protocol, meeting the latest PCI compliance standards. This protocol is an industry standard designed to protect the privacy of information communicated over the Internet.
Our database software is served by Jackrabbit who utilise a TLS 1.2 security protocol, meeting the latest PCI compliance standards. This protocol is an industry standard designed to protect the privacy of information communicated over the Internet.
ON the day
How many students are in each class?
We make small classes:
- Babies class: 6-1 (6 babies to 1 teacher).
- Kids Academy 6-1
- Antenatal 8-1
We make small classes:
- Babies class: 6-1 (6 babies to 1 teacher).
- Kids Academy 6-1
- Antenatal 8-1
Are lessons running today?
Our lessons will be running throughout our term time. If we do have to cancel a lesson for any reason we will always text and/or email. You can see our term dates here.
Our lessons will be running throughout our term time. If we do have to cancel a lesson for any reason we will always text and/or email. You can see our term dates here.
What do we need to bring?
All children over 2yrs should have a swim cap. Goggles are optional. Of course bring a towel and change of clothes. A onesie is great to stay snug straight after the lesson.
Goggles: Not a necessity however if you do bring them, please ensure you bring clear lensed goggles. It is really important our teachers can see the eyes of the student.
Babies: Be sure the babies (up to 3yrs) are wearing a double nappy. The inner being a washable or disposible swim nappy and the outer a specialist neoprene swim nappy to catch any and all 'discrepancies'.
Children: Boys should wear trunks, not baggy shorts. Girls should wear full costume, not bikini.
Antenatal Classes: Bring a water bottle and light snack like fruit to rebalance your sugars afterwards.
All children over 2yrs should have a swim cap. Goggles are optional. Of course bring a towel and change of clothes. A onesie is great to stay snug straight after the lesson.
Goggles: Not a necessity however if you do bring them, please ensure you bring clear lensed goggles. It is really important our teachers can see the eyes of the student.
Babies: Be sure the babies (up to 3yrs) are wearing a double nappy. The inner being a washable or disposible swim nappy and the outer a specialist neoprene swim nappy to catch any and all 'discrepancies'.
Children: Boys should wear trunks, not baggy shorts. Girls should wear full costume, not bikini.
Antenatal Classes: Bring a water bottle and light snack like fruit to rebalance your sugars afterwards.
Can I change the class / day for my swimming lesson?
Send us an email outlining what you would like to do and we’ll try to help. We can’t guarantee to make it happen but always try to accommodate! We would normally need at least 24hrs notice.
Send us an email outlining what you would like to do and we’ll try to help. We can’t guarantee to make it happen but always try to accommodate! We would normally need at least 24hrs notice.
I have lost/left an item at the swimming pool, what do I do?
If this is during office hours please call us on 01494 856007 and we can help you to track the item down or let you know if staff are at poolside so that you would be able to collect your item from the pool.
Outside of our office hours please do leave us a message by emailing [email protected].
To help in future please consider buying a swimming kit bag for your child to put their belongings - we sell Beaconsfield Swimming swim kit bags so please contact us!
If this is during office hours please call us on 01494 856007 and we can help you to track the item down or let you know if staff are at poolside so that you would be able to collect your item from the pool.
Outside of our office hours please do leave us a message by emailing [email protected].
To help in future please consider buying a swimming kit bag for your child to put their belongings - we sell Beaconsfield Swimming swim kit bags so please contact us!
What happens if I can’t make it one week?
We are under no obligation to refund or credit you in the event that you are unable to attend a lesson.
We do however give customers the chance to 'bank' up to 5 missed lessons and catch them up with back-to-back lessons (i.e. one lesson directly after the other) or during holidays.
We are under no obligation to refund or credit you in the event that you are unable to attend a lesson.
We do however give customers the chance to 'bank' up to 5 missed lessons and catch them up with back-to-back lessons (i.e. one lesson directly after the other) or during holidays.
What happens if a lesson is cancelled due to pool closure?
For last-minute closures we will text you. If we know ahead of time we will email you as well.
If a lesson is cancelled due to a pool closure, we will re-run the lesson if the rescheduled date falls within our term dates.
If we are unable to re-run the session, this session will be added onto the end of the booked course, which may fall into the following school term.
We are unable to provide refund for non-attendance, however we will always try to give you a chance to catch-up using your 'banked' sessions.
For last-minute closures we will text you. If we know ahead of time we will email you as well.
If a lesson is cancelled due to a pool closure, we will re-run the lesson if the rescheduled date falls within our term dates.
If we are unable to re-run the session, this session will be added onto the end of the booked course, which may fall into the following school term.
We are unable to provide refund for non-attendance, however we will always try to give you a chance to catch-up using your 'banked' sessions.
General
What is the best age to start swimming lessons?
You guessed it: It is never too early. It is also never too late.
You guessed it: It is never too early. It is also never too late.
How long does it take to learn how to swim?
It depends what you mean by ‘swim’ (sorry to be pedantic!). If you mean ‘not sink’ it can be learned within a few sessions (if that is the goal or desired outcome). If you mean reach Level 8 of the "Learn to Swim" programme, with a starting age of 4, somewhere around 4-5 years of 1 day per week term-time. There are a million caveats to this statement however and often we get bogged down by moving to the next level when in fact the fastest way can often be to become supremely efficient at each level so the final outcome is incredible. There are so many nuances to every swimming stroke and even Olympic swimmers are continually improving their strokes.
Our goal is simply to help children enjoy the learning process and love the water.
By the way we don’t teach the ‘not sink’ type of swimming.
It depends what you mean by ‘swim’ (sorry to be pedantic!). If you mean ‘not sink’ it can be learned within a few sessions (if that is the goal or desired outcome). If you mean reach Level 8 of the "Learn to Swim" programme, with a starting age of 4, somewhere around 4-5 years of 1 day per week term-time. There are a million caveats to this statement however and often we get bogged down by moving to the next level when in fact the fastest way can often be to become supremely efficient at each level so the final outcome is incredible. There are so many nuances to every swimming stroke and even Olympic swimmers are continually improving their strokes.
Our goal is simply to help children enjoy the learning process and love the water.
By the way we don’t teach the ‘not sink’ type of swimming.
Why bother having swimming lessons?
Swimming is a lifeskill that can save the swimmer or somebody else’s life. In future their water confidence will feed down to any children they may have or come in contact with which could in turn help save lives. When you consider this horrific statistic it all becomes very clear why being taught swimming - and taught thoroughly - is the only option: The death of 1 in 3 children every year is caused by drowning.
Currently (as of 2019) 1 in 4 children leaving primary school cannot swim more than 25 metres.
sources: Swim England / RLSS
Swimming is a lifeskill that can save the swimmer or somebody else’s life. In future their water confidence will feed down to any children they may have or come in contact with which could in turn help save lives. When you consider this horrific statistic it all becomes very clear why being taught swimming - and taught thoroughly - is the only option: The death of 1 in 3 children every year is caused by drowning.
Currently (as of 2019) 1 in 4 children leaving primary school cannot swim more than 25 metres.
sources: Swim England / RLSS
How many levels are there in swimming?
The Swim England ‘Learn to Swim’ programme is made up of seven key stages from non-swimmer through to a swimmer which are (and this is their definition): Developing quality stroke technique up to 100 metres, incorporating skills learnt and combining them to develop a linked routine and can complete successfully an obstacle course that combines a variety of skills learned throughout stages 1-7.
Beyond level 7, through Levels 8-10 the swimming progresses to a variety of outcomes including:
The Swim England ‘Learn to Swim’ programme is made up of seven key stages from non-swimmer through to a swimmer which are (and this is their definition): Developing quality stroke technique up to 100 metres, incorporating skills learnt and combining them to develop a linked routine and can complete successfully an obstacle course that combines a variety of skills learned throughout stages 1-7.
Beyond level 7, through Levels 8-10 the swimming progresses to a variety of outcomes including:
- swimming 800 metres continuously choosing one stroke
- swim a continuous 100 metres individual medley [4x25 metres] using recognised turns with a focus on stroke technique and consistency.
For example - What is a level 3 swimmer?
There are different types of swimming courses but generally they have a similar number of levels which means the outcomes at each level will be similar (although certainly not identical).
Level 3 of the 'Learn to Swim' programme that we teach is made up of outcomes as follows:
Without flotation equipment or support, learners will be able to:
Each level carries the same type of detail in the outcomes, with greater technical complexity at every level. You can download the 'Learn to Swim' outcomes below. Welcome to our world.
There are different types of swimming courses but generally they have a similar number of levels which means the outcomes at each level will be similar (although certainly not identical).
Level 3 of the 'Learn to Swim' programme that we teach is made up of outcomes as follows:
Without flotation equipment or support, learners will be able to:
- Jump from poolside and submerge to a minimum depth of 1.0 metre.
- Sink, push away from wall and maintain a streamlined position.
- Push and glide on the front with arms extended and log roll onto the back.
- Push and glide on the back with arms extended and log roll onto the front.
- Travel 5 metres on the front, perform a tuck to rotate onto the back and return on the back.
- Fully submerge to pick up an object.
- Correctly identify three of the four key water safety messages.
- Push and glide and travel 10 metres on the back.
- Push and glide and travel 10 metres on the front.
- Perform a tuck float and hold for three seconds.
- Exit the water without using steps.
Each level carries the same type of detail in the outcomes, with greater technical complexity at every level. You can download the 'Learn to Swim' outcomes below. Welcome to our world.
| learn_to_swim_stages_1-7_outcomes.pdf |
Can I teach my child to swim?
Um......how can we put this....
If you have as a minimum your Level 2 ASA certificate (or equivalent) then yes. However there is no law against teaching your child to swim yourself if you don't, and certainly the costs can be prohibitive for many people. However unless you have been taught to deliver the ASA Level 2 you will not be informed enough or experienced enough to comprehensively teach your child to swim.
You may be able to teach them not to sink and even to have confidence in the water, able to swim some distance, however, respectfully that is comparable to asking one of our teachers to deliver an A-Level Physics course after reading a few books.
Swimming is a life skill and a swimmer who has been professionally taught to swim has a life skill that could not only save their own life but someone else’s.
To gain a clearer understanding of what is delivered in the ASA Learn to Swim programme please download the outcomes documents below.
Um......how can we put this....
If you have as a minimum your Level 2 ASA certificate (or equivalent) then yes. However there is no law against teaching your child to swim yourself if you don't, and certainly the costs can be prohibitive for many people. However unless you have been taught to deliver the ASA Level 2 you will not be informed enough or experienced enough to comprehensively teach your child to swim.
You may be able to teach them not to sink and even to have confidence in the water, able to swim some distance, however, respectfully that is comparable to asking one of our teachers to deliver an A-Level Physics course after reading a few books.
Swimming is a life skill and a swimmer who has been professionally taught to swim has a life skill that could not only save their own life but someone else’s.
To gain a clearer understanding of what is delivered in the ASA Learn to Swim programme please download the outcomes documents below.
| learn_to_swim_stages_1-7_outcomes.pdf |
