Swimming Lessons in Ilford
Swimming lessons in Ilford
Our relationship with Bancroft’s School has been solid for many years and we are proud to have built a swim school there which is full most terms. We were pleased to add Caterham High School to the team, to offer more opportunity to adult swimmers only. The pools offer great facilities with convenient changing facilities, easy access, poolside seating and onsite free parking.
What we offer:
Swimmers aged 3-4 attend parent and child classes.
Swimmers aged 4 and above with no swimming experience attend F1 non-swimmer classes.
Swimmers with previous experience in the water are invited to attend a swimming assessment to establish which ability level they fit within our scheme. A non-refundable fee of £10 per child is needed to cover the assessment cost, which lasts about 10 minutes per child.
Children’s Prices:
Our full-term fee is £145 for a 11-week term of 30-minute lessons.
The first term must be paid in full and in advance with subsequent terms paid via Direct Debit at £33 per month, totalling £132 per term.
With no extra hidden costs.
Adult’s Prices:
Our full-term fee is £150 for a 11-week term of 30-minute lessons.
The first term must be paid in full and in advance with subsequent terms paid via Direct Debit at £33 per month, totalling £132 per term.
With no extra hidden costs.
Woodford Green, located in the London Borough of Redbridge, is a picturesque suburban area known for its leafy streets, historic architecture, and abundant green spaces. It offers a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city, making it an attractive residential area for families and professionals alike. One of its notable landmarks is the ancient Epping Forest, which borders the area, providing residents with opportunities for leisurely walks, cycling, and outdoor activities. Woodford Green also boasts a vibrant community atmosphere, with a range of local shops, restaurants, and cafes contributing to its charm.
Ilford, situated in the northeast of London, is a bustling urban centre known for its cultural diversity and vibrant atmosphere. It serves as the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Redbridge and offers a dynamic mix of retail outlets, markets, and entertainment venues. Ilford is well-connected to the rest of London via excellent transport links, including its mainline railway station and multiple bus routes, making it a convenient hub for commuters. The town also features several parks and green spaces, such as Valentines Park, providing residents with recreational opportunities amidst the urban landscape. With its rich tapestry of cultures and lively ambiance, Ilford remains a thriving hub within the Greater London area.
Pre-School sessions are called Parent and Child Classes or Ducks…
We recommend starting your children’s aquatic journey in our Parent and Child classes, ideally before they reach 4 years of age. Following this milestone, children progress to lessons conducted without parental supervision.
Recognizing the paramount importance of water safety for their offspring, parents naturally understand the necessity of introducing their children to swimming from an early age. Swimming, being a fundamental life skill, It is never too early to start . Sadly PoolSchools do not offer Aquatic sessions for infants (under 2s).
PoolSchools sessions engage the swimmer and adult in activities with your child which will be immensely gratifying, enjoyable, and occasionally challenging. Entering a new environment the children can be anxious. With your support their confidence will grow…. this will need your patience and persistence .
Our Parent and Child lessons, known as “DUCKS” classes, are for children aged 3-4 years*, and focus on nurturing children’s confidence and motor skills. Through themed activities and games, young swimmers gradually gain independence, reducing reliance on parental assistance. Repetition and familiarity foster confidence in both children and parents, empowering the former to participate autonomously as they transition to Fledgling classes.
Swimming is a life skill. Most people only swim on holiday so ensure you and your children have the basic skills ; are save; and have loads of fun.
At PoolSchools, our Parent and Child (Ducks), F1, and F2 classes incorporate the use of body belts. These belts offer support to swimmers, aiding them to maintain optimal body positioning during lessons allowing full arm mobility for various activities while ensuring their safety. Moreover, the body belts feature adjustable floats, enabling tailored support as swimmers advance, facilitating natural body alignment. Conversely, the use of armbands is not permitted due to their tendency to promote a vertical posture and limit arm movement. Parents can purchase the body belts from the shop or online.
We often get asked why we don’t have Infant(0-24 months) sessions .
The main reason is the pools we use heat their water to a “Swimmer temperature” – 27-29 degrees, suitable for someone constantly moving in the water. Babies/Infants don’t tend to move continuously which ensures they stay warm enough.
This requires a certain level of ability to take instruction, from the Early Years learning research reaffirms this level of required instruction taking comes to children at around 3 years old. While we do accept swimmers from 24 month priority is given to swimmers over 36 months. Sadly some pools are unsuitable for young children (See each pool for details).
In the Parent and Child sessions, parents, or guardians assume the role of one-on-one assistants for their children. This arrangement offers familiar support in the water, especially beneficial for young ones adjusting to the structure of swimming lessons and grappling with attention spans. Active parental involvement is encouraged during Ducks classes to reinforce instruction provided by the teacher, distinguishing these sessions as introductory steps towards a structured swim program rather than casual family leisure swimming.
Instructors impart vital skills such as pool entry and exit techniques, emphasizing the role of parental assistance without overtly supporting the swimmer, practices parents can use during family leisure swimming. Consistently remembering to “BLOW BUBBLES” reinforces foundational swimming habits.
Upon reaching 4 years of age, children advance to the F1 Fledglings class, without their adult, with small classes of 6 swimmers per session supervised by two PoolSchools team members. Parents are reminded to equip their children with essential gear including body belts and hats. (And goggles if desired).
At PoolSchools we encourage children to remain on top of the water moving effectively on top of the water – not under it. While it is fun to go under the water, learning safety techniques and building confidence is really important. We actively encourage water play and leisure swimming for all ages, and recommend at least 5 minuets of practicing what the swimmer has learnt in lessons every time you visit the pool. The sea is not the place to practice your early years swimming. Enjoy your time in the water?
We hope this helps answer any questions you may have about starting your time with PoolSchools.
About PoolSchools
PoolSchools has been teaching for nearly 20 years, having opened its first pool in Essex. We proudly work in partnership with 12 pools, across Essex, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, offering lessons to over 3000 swimmers, including support for the school curriculum in state schools.
Venues
Caterham High School
Lesson Days & Times
Fridays 6:30-8:30pm
Caterham Avenue
Clayhall
Ilford
IG5 0QW
Bancroft’s School
Lesson Days & Times
Saturdays 9am-6pm
Sundays 9am-5:30pm
Mondays 7:30-9:30pm
611-627 High Road
Woodford Green
Essex
IG8 0RF
Why PoolSchools
We have themed lessons that engage our swimmers from a young age, teaching through Fun is crucial so that the swimmer engages in the class, enjoys attending and progresses.
We use an online Portal, so that teachers can record attendance and progress, as well as allowing our parents to see what their swimmer is working towards and achieving during their lessons.
Our fully qualified Level 2 teachers are all passionate about swimming. In the Ducks and Fundamental (F) classes, teachers and assistant teachers are in the water providing reassurance and guidance!
At PoolSchools we recognise our swimmers progress. We award Star of the Week to a swimmer, during each class for progress, effort or engagement. We reward achievement with certificates when they complete a level. (Badges are available for purchase).
Our small class sizes allow for increased repetition, practice, individual feedback and tuition. Teaching ratios start at 3:1. Class sizes will vary from venue to venue depending on the pool space that we have available. We will not have more than 8 swimmers per class.
PoolSchools follows the AquaQuacks swim scheme which focuses on the importance of learning technique not distance. The distance a swimmer travels will naturally increase following correct and effective technique.
What’s On
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Contact the PoolSchools team
We aim to respond to all contacts within 48 hours, but sometimes teaching commitments can extend the response time. We apologise if this is the case and we appreciate your patience.
For existing swimmers quoting their Swimmer’s Unique Identification Number (found on the booking email) means we can find your account quicker.
