Saturday Swimming Lessons

The Saturday Swimming Lessons at Bedford High Sports and Performing Arts Complex are the main department of the School of Fish swimming scheme. Run every Saturday during state-school term time the classes are available for all children between the ages of three and 13 years old. The Saturday Swimming Lessons have been running since January 2005 and now have more than 250 children learning to swim every Saturday. If you would like your son or daughter to join the School of Fish Saturday Swimming Lessons waiting list please click here.

The Saturday Swimming Lessons follow on from the Ducklings classes, and for those children that have completed all levels of the Saturday Swimming Lessons we offer a Friday Development Squad.

All classes on a Saturday are limited to an absolute maximum of six children, with the lower two classes also having a Swimming Assistant in the water. We have a five minute break between each class; time for the teachers to prepare and register the next class. This ultimately means that the children don't lose out on any lesson time. We have all of the necessary equipment and swimming aids for all lessons, and we avoid using arm-bands in lessons as they restrict movement in the arms. Instead we use tummy-bands and noodles.

At the end of each term all children are tested over two to three weeks on their ability in the water, as well as distance testing. On completion of each level, all swimmers receive a certificate and are automatically moved to the next level. When swimmers improve on previous distances we have certificates and badges available to buy for £2.00.

Every new swimmer joining the School of Fish Saturday Swimming Lessons is given a free swimming hat. All swimmers must wear a swimming hat for their lesson, although they can choose to wear alternative swimming hats if they wish.