Swimming Lessons
Whatever age you are, learning to swim or improving your technique can improve your overall health and well being. Swimming is widely considered by health experts to provide an excellent cardiovascular workout. It tones, strengthens your heart muscles, and improves the delivery of oxygen to the different parts of the body.
The West Suffolk Swim Scheme offers a comprehensive programme for all ages and abilities based around the Amateur Swimming Association’s National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS). The new NPTS framework encourages swimming lesson providers to deliver aquatic instruction in a FUN environment to aid learning and understanding with an emphasis on fun and games within each swimming lesson. The use of games and fun activities to deliver learning outcomes is proven to be the most effective way for children to learn.
We offer a number of opportunities to learn to swim at our leisure centres in Haverhill and Bury St Edmunds.
For adults and children, the West Suffolk Swim Scheme offers a comprehensive programme for all ages and abilities. Anyone wishing to join the scheme is offered a free assessment to allocate the best class for their ability.
For children in the Junior Scheme offers classes from non swimmer to club standard and opportunities to develop mini polo, synchronised swimming, diving, water safety and rescue techniques.
For children who are ready for a further challenge and want to begin to compete, the West Suffolk Swimming Club can provide the very first experience of competition in a friendly environment.
Being able to swim competently is an essential life skill.
The Leisure Centre is also running a series of free six-week swimming lessons for youngsters aged 11 to 16 and for the over 60s who are beginners or inexperienced swimmers.
For more details on all of our swimming lessons telephone your local leisure centre Bury 01284 753496, Haverhill 01440 702548
or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Under 5’s
These lessons are for children that are aged up to 5 years and are designed to develop and broaden the range of learning experinces in the water, so that they become confident, eager and enthusiastic learners.
- Aquababes – For children under 18 months accompanied by an adult.
- Parents and Tiny Tots – For Children 18 months to 5 years accompanied by an adult.
- Pre-School Tots – For Children 3 1/2 to 5 years
Under Five’s Programme
Aquababes
25 minute sessions
Monday 9.30am/ 10.30am/ 11.30am
Tuesday 10.00am/ 11.00am
Wednesday 2.00pm
Thursday 2.00pm
Sunday 8.00am /9.00am
Parent and Tiny Tots
25 minute sessions
Monday 9.30am/ 10.00am/ 11.00am
Tuesday 9.30am/ 10.30am/ 11.00am/ 11.30am
Wednesday 1.30pm/ 2.30pm
Thursday 1.30pm/ 2.30pm
Sunday 8.00am /9.00am
Preschool Tots
25 minute sessions
Monday 9.30am/ 10.00am/ 10.30am/ 11.00am/11.30am/ 5.30pm
Tuesday 9.30am/ 10.00am/ 10.30am/ 11.30am
Wednesday 1.00pm/ 1.30pm/ 2.00pm/ 2.30pm
Thursday 1.30pm/ 2.00pm/ 2.30pm/ 3.30pm
Sunday 8.30am/ 9.30am/ 10.00am
Junior Scheme
These lessons are for children aged 4 1/2 and above who attend full-time school. Lessons are for varying durations depending on the age and ability level of the swimmers. To progress to the next stage they will need to achieve the required standard and the appropriate ASA 
National Swim Award of the group they are enrolled in.
- Tiddlers – ASA National Swim Award Stage 1.
- Newts – ASA National Swim Award Stage 2.
- Frogs – ASA National Swim Award Stage 3.
- Sealions – ASA National Swim Award Stage 4.
- Marlins – ASA National Swim Award Stage 5.
- Dolphins – ASA National Swim Award Stage 6.
- Fast – Fun, Ability, Stamina and Technique swim sessions - ASA National Swim Award Stages 7-10.
Junior Programme – Tiddlers to FAST
Swim 4 It
Classes with a maximum of 4 pupils, giving more individual tuition.
Monday Tiddlers 7 years + 6pm
Tuesday Tiddlers to Marlins 4pm/4.30pm/5.00pm/5.30pm (25 mins)
Dolphins 4pm/4.40pm/5.20pm (35mins)
Thursday Tiddlers to Marlins 4pm/4.30pm/5.00pm/5.30pm (25 mins)
Dolphins 4pm/4.40pm/5.20pm (35mins)
Saturday Tiddlers to Marlins 8.00am/8.30am/9.00am/9.30am/10.00am/10.30am
Dolphins 9.00am /9.40am (35 mins)
F.A.S.T.
Fun, Ability, Stamina and Technique Sessions
Monday 4.00pm (55 mins)
Tuesday 6pm (55 mins)
Saturday 8am / 10.20am (55 mins)
Term dates
Term 2
Junior Scheme Tues 4th Jan – 16th April
Under 5’s Tues 4th Jan - Sun 10th April
Priority Booking week Mon 4th April – 9th April
Waiting List bookings Mon 11th onwards.
Assessments to be booked through swim team.
Open booking from 15th April.
Term 3
Junior Scheme Tues 26th April – Sun July 31st (Tues and Thurs 14 weeks Sat 13 weeks, Mon 11 wks)
(No lessons Mon 2nd May, Sat 7th May and Mon 30th May)
Pre School: Tues 26th April – Sun 24th July 12 weeks (Mon and Sun 11wk)
(No lessons Mon 2nd May , Sun 8th May and ½ term 30th May – 5th June and Sun 3rd July)
August 4 weeks no lessons
Term 4
Junior Scheme Tues 30th Aug – 18th Dec 2011 16 weeks (Mon 15 weeks)
Under 5 Tues 30th Aug – 18th Dec 2011 15 weeks (Mon 14 weeks)
(no lessons Mon 31st Oct – 6th Nov)
Term 5
Junior Scheme Tues 3rd Jan – Sat 14th April 2012 14 Weeks
(No lessons Tues 3rd - Mon 9th April)
Under 5 Tues 3rd Jan – Sun 1st April 2012 12 weeks (Mon 11 weeks)
(No lessons 13th Feb – 19th Feb 2012)
Term 6
Junior Scheme Mon 16th April – Sat 28th July 2012 15 weeks (Mon 14 weeks) (no lessons Mon 7th May)
Under 5 Mon 16th April – Sat 28th July 2012 13 weeks (Mon 12 weeks)
(no lessons Mon 7th May and 4th June – 10th June)
Adult Swim
Beginners – For non swimmers/beginners. Aimed at improving water confidence and introducing basic stroke techniques.
Improvers – For the more able swimmer. Aimed at improving stroke techniques, building stamina and introducing dives and turns.
Tuesday 1.30pm and 7pm (45 mins)
West Suffolk Swimming Club
For children who are ready for a further challenge and wish to continue swimming and begin to compete, up to serious swimmers competing at a national and international level.
For more information visit WestSuffolkSwimming.org.uk.
For further information contact the swim team on (01284) 757484 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it