children swimming lessons
Whether this is your child’s first lessons or the next step in their journey following pre-school lessons, your child will learn the fundamental skills and technique to be able to swim as we take them through Swim England’s Learn to Swim Framework Stages 1-7.
learn to swim with burnley leisure and culture
Following Swim England’s Learn to Swim Framework, our Swim Academy will provide your children with the skills needed to learn the vital life skill of swimming. Not only will they learn skills such as how to swim front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly but also key water safety skills such as floating, treading water and swimming in their clothes which one day could save their life.
Children will work through the 7 stages, with them becoming a confident and competent swimmer by Stage 7, where they will have developed the skills to be able to complete the following 4 key competencies confidently and consistently:
- Swim 100 metres
- Tread water for 30 seconds
- Float for 60 seconds
- Swim in their clothing.
Generally taking place in shallower water, teacher will take children through fun games and activities which help them understand the fundamental principles of swimming that help build their water confidence and prepare them in developing their strokes in later stages.
Skills you will see your children practice and be assessed on in these stages include:
- Floating
- Traveling in the water in various ways
- Water Confidence
- Exiting and entering the water safely inc. Jumping in
- Push and glides
- Introduction of kicking.
These lessons will introduce children to deeper water, whether moving from the teaching pool to the main pool, or if at Padiham, moving to deeper water from the shallow end.
Children will begin to develop more of the technique required to progress in their strokes along with utilising the fundamental water safety skills learned in Stages 1-3 and practicing them in deeper water. They will also begin to swim further with a focus on building up the distance they can swim confidently.
You will see your child practice and be assessed on:
- Water safety skills including treading water
- Swimming of the four strokes over 10 metres
- Log rolls and floating
It is in these stages that your child develops into a competent and confident swimmer, with the focus on refining their technique, building up endurance and stamina and supporting them to know how to be safe in the water and perform a safe self rescue if needed.
During these stages they will develop and be assessed on:
- Build their swimming distances up to firstly 25 metres and then up to a minimum of 100m competently
- Work on their stroke techniques
- Learn and become confident in vital water safety skills including swimming in their clothes, floating for 30 seconds and treading water for 60 seconds
Yes. Crash courses are delivered in school holidays with themes varying each holiday. However, they will include:
- Beginner swimming lessons
- Improver lessons to support current members progress through the higher stages
- Rookie Lifeguard
To register for lessons, complete the online registration form. Children can be registered from birth and start lessons from 4 years old on lessons for the core stages of 1-7.
Children on our Pre-School swimming Programme will automatically move into Stages 1-7 on completion of the Ducklings lessons or when they move into primary school.
Payment for lessons is via a monthly Direct Debit.
Children swimming lessons Locations
Find children’s swim lessons at our Burnley locations and help your child build confidence and learn essential skills through Swim England’s Learn to Swim Framework Stages 1–7.
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St Peter’s Leisure Centre
Read more
: St Peter’s Leisure Centre -
Padiham Leisure Centre
Read more: Padiham Leisure Centre
children’s lesson Pricing
All payments for lessons will be taken via a monthly Direct Debit.
Prices include weekly lesson and unlimited swimming for the member to practice what they have learned in lessons (accompanying parent/guardian must pay to swim).
JUNIOR
£28.00/Month
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Frequently asked questions
We would recommend children start lessons as soon as possible. Through our pre-school programme, lessons are available from 6 months old onwards from April 2026. If entering at stages 1-7, children must be 4 years old, and we would recommend they have started primary school.
This is not required for our lessons in Stages 1-7. Once children have finished pre-school lessons, the focus is on them being independent in the water.
All floatation aids, swimming aids and other equipment is provided during lessons. All you need to remember is your child’s swimming costume, towel and goggles if needed.
Currently, we have the option of 1-1 swimming lessons available for children who need additional support for a variety of reasons during their lessons.
We are looking to introduce SEND group lessons in the future to support children with additional needs further and if interested in this option please email: swimacademy@blcgroup.co.uk
Parents can keep track of children’s progress via the home portal. A link to gain access to this will be shared by the team when lesson booking is confirmed.
Yes. Children can receive their badges and certificates from reception after completing each stage. They cost £3.90 for a badge and certificate at each stage.
Make a splash with our other swimming activities
We offer a wide range of programmes for all ages and abilities, from Swim Academy and children’s lessons to adult swimming, Swim Fit, and pre-school sessions. Whether you’re learning, training, or simply enjoying the water, our aquatics, wellbeing, and health suite facilities provide something for everyone.
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