Swim School FAQs

  • It doesn’t have to take long to learn the basics, but becoming a swimmer is a life skill and takes time and practice. The Stingrays Swim School method is progressive and aims to prevent bad habits.
  • Becoming a “swimmer” depends on many things—your child’s age, willingness to learn, how often they swim, and your goals.
  • We recommend continuing lessons until your child is comfortable in any depth and can swim and breathe over extended distances, then moving into stroke development (pre-competitive) stages.
  • Disabled children are warmly welcomed. Please discuss any individual needs with the Swim School Manager so we can support your child appropriately.
  • It’s normal for some children to feel upset initially—swimming can be a new and daunting environment.
  • Over time, your child will build trust, confidence, and understanding through our supportive teaching approach.
  • Discontinuing lessons may reinforce fearfulness—please trust the process. Enjoyment of swimming usually comes with time and consistency.
  • If your child has flu-like symptoms—fever, vomiting, digestive issues—please do not bring them to the pool.
  • If your child has a long-term illness or injury preventing attendance, email the Swim School Manager.
  • Ensure all relevant medical information is declared on your club registration form via Swim Club Manager.
  • Swimming costume/trunks or jammers—avoid board shorts or baggy clothes, which hinder movement in the water.
  • Well-fitted goggles are essential. Poorly fitting or cheap goggles that fog up disrupt learning and comfort.
  • Towel—please arrive 10 minutes early to allow enough time to change before the lesson starts.
  • Please contact the Swim School Manager to check availability, discuss levels, and book a free trial via email.
  • Yes—parents can view lessons from the spectator gallery.
  • No sorry, there’s pool safety and safeguarding implications involved with having parents poolside. In addition, children’s attention naturally shifts towards the parent and makes teaching the class a lot more difficult for the teacher.
  • At Five Rivers all children should enter the main pool hall from the changing rooms via the entrance/exit by the showers.
  • An exception is made for learner pool children who will naturally be much younger and still need parental support.
  • 30 minutes for White, Red, Green, and Black Rays (beginners to intermediate).
  • 60 minutes for Pre-Competitive classes.
  • Five Rivers Leisure Centre: Sundays between 17:00 and 19:00
  • Godolphin School: Tuesdays and Thursdays between 18:10 and 19:10
  • Five Rivers Leisure Centre:
    • Monthly: £26.25 for 30-minute lessons
    • Monthly: £39.38 for 60-minute lessons
  • Godolphin School:
    • Monthly: £35.00 for 30-minute lessons
    • Monthly: £52.50 for 60-minute lessons
  • Invoices are issued on the 1st of each month and paid via Direct Debit.
  • The annual fee is divided equally over 12 months.
  • A deposit equal to one month’s fee is charged upon registration.
  • One clear month's notice is required to cancel lessons.
  • If classes are full we can add your name to the waiting list.
  • It can be difficult to predict exactly how long the waiting list will take to clear, as this depends on how many swimmers are currently waiting and how quickly places become available.
  • When a suitable space becomes available, we offer places strictly in the order that swimmers joined the waiting list and will contact you as soon as we are able to offer a place.
  • We will let you know when a place becomes available, even if it is not at your preferred time. If the time offered is not convenient, you are very welcome to decline and we will keep you on the waiting list without affecting your position.