Admin and Enrolment
We run three terms per year to coincide with school terms and so enrolments for new terms usually commence about two weeks before the end of the previous term (e.g. to start after Easter enrolment will start about two weeks before the Easter holidays). However, we run an open enrolment system which means as long as we have spaces we will accept new enrolments at anytime up to the last three weeks of term. We stop at this point as its when we are producing new enrolment forms etc.
We run term time only unless we’ve had a pool closure during the first half of each term which may cause us to run in to the half term holidays.
Nope. Nothing! All you pay are the cost of your lessons. There are no admin, set up, booking or registration fees at all.
Each term costs different amounts as we charge the same amount per session and multiply that by the number of weeks in the term/remaining in the term.
Unfortunately we do not offer any make up/catch up lessons so that class is simply forfeited.
You can pay either via phone with us usually by you giving us your number and somebody calling you back or via BACs.
For subsequent re-enrolments you can pay to enrol in Centre via cash or card, online via card or direct debit or by bank transfer.
Please see our ‘Guidance to Parents’ documentation here for all refund information.
Simply drop us a message with what days and Centres are suitable for you and we will let you know the appropriate times with spaces and help you swap over.
Yes! We offer swimmers the chance to have two trial lessons for swimmers once a term starts. These are available at a cost of 2 lessons which is then deducted off the cost of the term if you wish to continue.
We accept cancellations at the end of each term and you can cancel by simply not re-enrolling again. We do, however, as that you let us know so we can offer the space out to somebody else.
Please note that if you are on direct debit you must make all payments for the term before cancelling – direct debit is simply a way of paying smaller amounts and is not a way of paying for classes monthly.
If for any reason we have to cancel a session we will try and text you to let you know not to come. Credits for these will then be added to your online account which can then be used towards the next block of lessons. This is automatically applied if you pay online, or, will be done for you if you pay in Centre. For those paying via direct debit payments will automatically be reduced so you get the benefit immediately.
If you are not wishing to return the following term refunds can be claimed for these credits at the enrolment desk, or, once the enrolment window has closed by contacting us where we can either post a cheque out to you, or, if you paid online refund back to your card. This is also the same if the closure occurs after the last direct debit of the term.
Swimming Lessons
Unlike most other sports swimming is a life skill. Not only does it develop fitness and improve stamina and flexibility it also could possibly safe your child’s life.
For our Baby Swim adult and child classes, children can start whenever you feel they are ready. For independent lessons it is from the age of three.
For our Baby Swim adult and child classes, yes, we require an adult in the water with the child. For all other classes, no, adults can get 30 minutes of peace. However, for beginner lessons we always have at least one pool helper in the water with classes.
Yourself, your child, a towel and a costume. You don’t need to worry about armbands, discs or floats – we have everything! For Baby Swim adult and child classes you will need to make sure your child has a double nappy on to prevent leakage.
We only recommend goggles in deep end classes once children are swimming extended distances. Any younger and children become dependent on them or play with them in lessons! Ultimately we are aiming to make your children as safe as possible in water and you need to know if they fall in that they are not going to panic if water gets in their eyes.
We always aim to run with no more than 12 in a shallow end class or 20 in a deep end class. Up to date information about class sizes is available here. However, for beginner classes we do run with multiple teachers – at least one in the water and one on the poolside. So in effect we run a maximum of 1:6 (often 1:3!).
For general sickness and diarrhoea you should keep your child off swimming for a minimum of 48 hours after their last episode this is to avoid it being spread to other people.
Autism Swim
To be honest we don’t usually make recommendations on this simply because you know your child better than anybody. We do say that you can trial classes if you want and then if they don’t work move in to 1:1’s, or, book a small bank of 1:1’s with a teacher to try and integrate in to a class with your child. The only real rule of thumb we have is that if a child has 1:1 support in school they probably need 1:1 lessons. Note we do mean 1:1 support in school, not just being in a special school or small classes.
No, all our 1:1 classes have a teacher in the water with children anyway and in beginner classes we also provide in water helpers. However, if after a trial it was deemed necessary to have an extra adult in the water we may discuss this with you.
Not at all! As long as they can understand visuals or spoken instructions they are welcome in both classes and 1:1’s. In 1:1’s we also have access to visual cue cards from SwimPix which can help replicate in school learning styles.
Before lessons commence we will ask you to fill in a quick ‘getting to know you’ type document which just helps the teachers learn a bit about your child and what you want to get out of the lessons – for example safety, technique, exercise etc.
Yes, we have guide documents to each of our centres which can be viewed here.
Family and disabled changing facilities are available at Castle View.
Direct Debit Payments
From the second term you swim with us you are able to pay via direct debit. You can set this up via the Portal. However, if you are just joining us you must pay in full for the term. You can then join up for direct debit from term two.
You can set a direct debit up at any point once you are in your second term of lessons AND it is before the 21st of the month. After the 21st all direct debit set ups are paused to give GoCardless (our payment processor) time to get the mandates set up ready for payments to commence on the 28th.
None at all – the direct debit system simply takes payments out of your bank in smaller chunks. We simply split the cost of the term over a few months and you pay that each month instead of in one lump sum.
We will try and retake the direct debit again automatically. However, if it fails a second time there is an admin fee of £7.50 to pay and the missed amount plus admin fee must be paid via bank transfer before you are able to continue lessons for insurance reasons.
We start collecting direct debits on the 28th of each month. However, it then takes about 5 working days for this to leave your bank account. This means our portal will show payments as being added to balances on the 28th of the month, but, payments will actually leave and clear early the following month.
When we issue enrolment letters each term we will inform you of an approximate value for each months direct debit. However this can change depending upon what charges and credits are added to your account – for example cancelled lessons or moving classes. Up to date payment information is available to you via the Portal which will show you your monthly fee.
You will also receive an email from GoCardless (our direct debit supplier) 5 days before we take payment to let you know what this months fees will be.
Once the term ends please let us know and we will take you off the lists to start the next term. This will stop all future payments. Please note that we do not accept mid-term cancellations and should this happen you would be liable for any unpaid fees in full if you ever wished to rebook with us in the future. Direct debit payments are offered as a way of reducing payments for lessons and not as a way of paying monthly. Full terms can be found in our Guidance to Parents documentation.
To do this please log on to the Portal between the 1st and 21st of the month and cancel your current direct debit via the ‘Account Balance’ page before immediately setting up the new one. If you have changed bank account and used the current account switch service there is no need to do this – your account information will automatically update.