Frequently asked questions 2025
These are the most frequently asked questions we receive. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have a question that is not answered here.
What should my child bring to their swimming lessons?
All swimmers should wear appropriate swimwear to class. Girls will need a tight fitting costume (one piece or an all-in-one swimsuit with no frilly skirty bits). Boys will need swim trunks or swim shorts (not baggy or too long as they can hinder the kick movement). Your swimmer will also need a towel and their class coloured logoed swimming hat (given to them by the class teacher on their first lesson). If your swimmer is in Stage 5 or above – they will need their goggles and a 1 litre drinking bottle filled with either water or diluted juice. All our changing rooms are shoe-free zones so please remove any outdoor shoes before entering!
Am I required to get in the water?
No. We have teachers and helpers in the water, Parents/Guardians can watch their swimmers lesson from the spectator’s area.
How much does it cost?
Our current 6 week swim term (1 lesson per week) is: Stages 1-4 (30-minute lessons) £69.00 (£11.50 per lesson/swimmer). Stages 5-10 (45-minute lessons) £76.50 (£12.75 per lesson/swimmer). £5.00 for the compulsory class coloured logoed hat.
All payments are via direct deposit/BACS. We do not accept cash or cheques.
We only teach during the school term.
How many people can I bring to watch my swimmer?
Please consider that seating on poolside is limited. To prevent overcrowding and to comply with the school’s fire procedures, we can only admit one adult per swimmer into the pool facility with a maximum total of two adults if you have 2 or more swimmers attending lessons. We do not allow standing or overcrowding of the spectator area/corridor.
Is it possible to get food/drink at the venues?
No.
Do you teach children younger than 4 years old?
The minimum age for children to join our beginner classes is 4.
What makes Water Wizards Swim School different from leisure centre lessons?
Over a quarter of the families who contact us are looking to move away from leisure centre swimming lessons. The most common reasons they share include:
- Large class sizes – It’s not unusual for leisure centres to have 10+ children per class with just one teacher.
- Teachers not in the water – Many leisure centres have teachers instructing from the poolside only.
- Lack of consistency – Frequent changes in teaching staff can disrupt learning.
- Limited progress – With large class sizes and less individual attention, children may struggle to improve.
- Monthly subscription fees – Many leisure centres require ongoing direct debit payments meaning you may pay for weeks that you don’t use – especially during school holidays.
At Water Wizards Swim School, we do things differently:
Smaller class sizes – Our beginner classes have a maximum of 8 children, with at least two teachers in the water for hands-on guidance.
Expert, dedicated teachers – We invest heavily in training and only recruit the best. Most of our teachers have been with us for 10+ years, ensuring a stable and high-quality learning environment.
Focused on swimming only – Unlike leisure centres that offer multiple activities, our sole focus is teaching children how to swim.
No monthly subscriptions – We believe in flexible, termly bookings rather than ongoing direct debits.
We’re passionate about providing the best possible swimming lessons in a safe, supportive, and fun environment. If you’d like to find out more or book a space, we’d love to hear from you!
Beginner Red Hat class information:
Lesson duration: 30 minutes.
Focus: Water familiarisation, safety, foundational skills, and fun!
Class size: Maximum of 8 children with at least two teachers in the water.
Age requirements: Swimmers must be at least 4 years old and fully toilet trained. We do not allow swimming nappies etc.
Note: Goggles are not allowed in Stage 1-4 classes. Parents/guardians are not required in the water.
For a full description of all our Stages, visit here.
Do you offer adult lessons?
No.
Do you teach children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)?
We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all swimmers. While we aim to provide reasonable adjustments where possible, please be aware that our instructors are not specially trained to teach children with additional learning or behavioural support needs. Our lessons take place in group settings; therefore, we are unable to provide or facilitate individual one-to-one instruction. If your swimmer requires additional support, please contact us in advance to discuss potential reasonable adjustments, and to help us determine whether our lessons are suitable. Ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all swimmers remains our highest priority.
Do you offer 1-1 lessons?
No. Our small group classes are the perfect environment for teaching our Wizards.
Can I watch your lessons before joining?
For safeguarding reasons, attending swimming lessons without prior enrollment is not allowed. To ensure a smooth experience, please enroll before your visit. Unannounced arrivals will be refused entry.
Why is my swimmer not allowed to wear goggles in the early Stage lessons?
Learning to swim is primarily a lifesaving/safety skill and as such, goggles are not permitted in our early Stages (1-4) as these wouldn’t be available in a life-threatening situation. We teach children how to be safe in and around the water, this includes knowing what to do should they fall into open water such as a lake or a canal where goggles will not be available. From Stage 5 the emphasis is on technique where goggles are permitted.
I have just joined, my swimmer can swim a little bit, why do they need so many floats in your lessons?
In our Stage 1 & 2 Red Hat classes we unashamedly operate a safety-first policy with all new swimmers until we can assess their actual swimming ability in the pool, this includes using various flotation devices and additional technical safety measures. This normally only lasts until we can do a complete and thorough assessment of the new swimmer.
I need to go and pick up another child whilst the swimming lesson is going on, what do I do?
Parents/Guardians must remain at the school during the duration of their swimmer’s lesson. If parents need to leave the school premises whilst their child is swimming, a member of our teaching team must be informed. Swimming lesson children must also be picked up at the right time after their lesson to avoid distress.
Why do you have a play session at the start of summer and before Christmas?
Water Wizards Swim School’s motto is “Making Swimming Magical”. Children learn through play, it is a vital stage in their development. All throughout the swimming term, children are learning new skills and strokes in a formal teaching pattern, watched by their instructor. The children work exceptionally hard each term. When children are given free time, they often not only practice the skills they have mastered, but they also “have a go” at trying the skills that their peers are doing. Learning to swim can be hard work, but it should also always be fun. Playing together with their swim class friends has proven to be a highly successful way of improving confidence, technique, team building and social skills.
My swimmer cannot make the lesson. Do we get a refund, or can we change days?
Unfortunately, we do not give refunds or discounts for reasons of holiday, sickness, isolation or social engagements etc. We regret that we are unable to offer an alternative swim date for missed lessons.
Sickness and/or diarrhoea
Please do not bring your swimmer to any lessons if they have any illness such as an ear infection, diarrhoea, vomiting, chicken pox, impetigo, conjunctivitis or a bad cold. Please wait until your doctor has given the all-clear before returning to classes. In the instance of sickness and diarrhoea your child must have been clear of all symptoms for at least 48 hours before attending lessons.
Booking and paying for your lessons
Due to the amount of information we need to give you, booking is done via email only. Although we try to accommodate your first choice, spaces are offered on a first come, first served basis so please do not delay if you are offered a space. Once we receive your choices, we will email you to confirm your day/time along with all the necessary enrolment information for you to read and agree to along with our payment details. Lesson payment in full is required within 72 hours (or 24 hours before the start of your first lesson if sooner) of us sending confirmation and is payable via direct deposit/internet banking, we do not accept cash/cheque payments. All bookings remain provisional until full payment has been received. It isn’t possible for us to make and/or receive phone calls while on pool side, if we don’t pick up, email us!
Do you accept childcare vouchers?
No.
Do you offer a trial/taster lesson?
No.
How long should my child stay in swimming lessons?
Learning to swim is a life skill and it is important that any swimmer stays with the programme until they become competent and strong. Swimming should be seen in the same light as reading or writing, learning is just the start of development. Swim England recommends a swimmer completes up to Learn to Swim Stage 7 through swimming lessons to give them a solid base to help them enjoy swimming and swimming related activities throughout their life.
How do I re-enrol for the next term?
Near the end of each swim term you will be sent a re-enrolment email to enable you to continue. Priority is given to those that are already swim school members and who are not changing class, day or time. 2nd priority is then given to those that are already swim school members who wish to change day or time. This priority is only given if the re-enrolment is received before the cut-off date, which is usually the last week of the swim term. Once this date has been reached places will be allocated to our waiting lists and/or those wishing to join. Payment of class fees must be received by the due date via direct deposit/internet banking.
