Welcome to Plymouth Leander’s Learn to Swim Programme
Plymouth Leander is one of Britain’s top swimming clubs possessing an impressive track record at all levels of competition from junior meets through to the Olympic Games. Start your swimming journey with Little Leander.
Little Leander
… operates from a wonderful venue in Plymouth – a stunning 25 metre swimming pool awaits you at Marjon University. We pride ourselves in being able to take your child from the very early stages of learning to swim, right through to becoming a club swimmer at Plymouth Leander. When the time comes to decide on continuing your swimming, we are able to seamlessly transition you from Little Leander to Plymouth Leander.
What to Expect
Swimming is a life skill and the only sport your child will learn which could save their life. When embarking on the swimming journey with your child remember that it is not only important for them to learn the basics during the early stages, but also to progress to the advanced groups where they will become strong swimmers – serving them well in later years. Beginner classes focus on water safety, learning to swim and developing strokes. Improver classes focus on learning the 4 strokes and using the correct techniques for these strokes. Squad class children will perfect the basics of all 4 strokes, focus on correct starts and turns while improving their stamina and fitness.
Your teacher will move your child up to the next stage when they can see that the swimmer is ready and confident at doing the skills that are set out for that level. This means that children will repeat skills over and over again each week until they perfect them. We won’t rush the transition and we will not push swimmers up to the next level until we are satisfied. If your child is swimming in a group, don’t compare them with other children. Stay focused on letting your child learn at their own speed.
Lessons Offered
GROUP LESSONS
All group lessons are 30 minutes long. We are proud to offer small group sizes, giving each teacher more time to support your child while they build confidence and gain the early skills. The Beginner 1 groups have 4 swimmers, while all other stage groups have 6-8 swimmers.
PRIVATE LESSONS
The 1:1 lessons are either 15 minutes or 30 minutes long. 15-minute lessons are more than adequate for 3-5 year olds. If, however your child is older than 5 and you feel that 30 minutes would be too much you are more than welcome to choose a 15-minute lesson.
Find your Level
Refer to our flow chart below. The questions below relate to the hardest skill on each of the stages, if your swimmer is able to do the skill you can progress to the next question, If your swimmer is not able to do the skill you should not advance to the next question.
YOU CAN…
Certificates & Progression
We have developed certificates to match the 6 stages of our swimming programme. Beginner 1 & 2, Improver 1, 2 & 3 and Squad. The achievements in each certificate take the swimmer on a journey right from their very first lesson through to advanced swimming with correct technique. When completed, your child will not only know how to swim, but will also be strong and capable swimmers with beautiful strokes.
Location
Marjon University
Frequently Asked Questions
- Enrolment & Payment
- Rolling Enrolment: Once enrolled, your child’s lesson day and time will continue automatically each term. There’s no need to rebook; lessons roll on term after term.
- Direct Debit Requirement: A Direct Debit mandate must be set up at the time of booking to secure your child’s place in the class.
- Lesson Fees: Fees are charged per term, and the number of lessons each term may vary.
- LittleLeander register all swimmers with SwimEngland as members and this provides insurance for the swimmer to be in the pool. The annual fee is renewed every January and for 2025 is priced at £16.85. This will be charged when you book your first class.
- Monthly Invoicing: Classes are invoiced on or around the 1st of every month via Direct Debit.
- Transaction Fee: A transaction fee of 3.6% is applied to all payments. This fee covers processing costs and is added to each transaction total.
- Failed Payments: If a Direct Debit payment fails, the system will automatically attempt to collect the payment up to three times. You will receive notifications of these attempts through LoveAdmin.
- Non-Payment Consequences: Failure to settle outstanding fees may result in the removal of your child from their class.
- Credit Score Impact: Please be aware that failed Direct Debit payments can negatively affect your credit score.
- Cancellation Policy
- Notice Period: To cancel your child’s swimming sessions, please provide at least 4 weeks’ notice. Fees will be payable up to the end of this notice period.
- Missed Classes: Alternative sessions will not be offered for missed classes, regardless of the reason.
- Long-Term Absence: In cases of extended absence due to medical or exceptional circumstances, please discuss with the management team prior to making any changes to your monthly payments. Management discretion will be applied in these situations.
- Hygiene & Safety
- Pre-Lesson Preparation: Ensure all swimmers use the toilet, blow their noses, and shower before lessons.
- Swim Caps: All swimmers, both boys and girls, are required to wear swimming caps during lessons.
- Changing Room Policy
To ensure the comfort and privacy of all swimmers and their families, we kindly request that Little Leander swimmers and their families use the Family Changing Area.
This facility is designed to accommodate families and provides a suitable environment for changing before and after lessons.
If you have any questions or require assistance regarding the changing facilities, please do not hesitate to speak with a member of our team.
- Photography
- Restrictions: Photography is strictly prohibited in both the changing rooms and on the poolside to ensure the privacy and safety of all participants.
- Safeguarding & Welfare
The safety and wellbeing of our swimmers is our top priority. If you have any concerns regarding the welfare or safeguarding of any member of Little Leander, please contact the Plymouth Leander Welfare Officer by emailing welfare@plymouthleander.com.
All concerns will be handled with confidentiality and in accordance with Swim England’s Wavepower policy.
At the beginning stages of a young swimmer there are many ways that you can help them along. This will aid both their confidence and progression.
- Practice putting their faces in the water in a bath, they can use their goggles to look at anything under the water from bath toys to coins.
- Take your children swimming and let them play and get their faces wet. You do not have to “make them swim”, just playing in the water will make them stronger.
- Encourage them to kick with their legs out behind them rather than “cycling” upright in the water. This is a very bad habit that young children get into and can be hard to break.
- Always encourage them to put their faces in the water, this helps your swimming teacher enormously.
A swimming hat is compulsory, keeping hair out of your eyes and the pool filters are just 2 important reasons for wearing one, we also recommend a pair of quality goggles. Bring your own or chose a new hat and goggles at the welcome desk on your first lesson.
All families attending Little Leander Swim School are recommended to use the designated family changing area rather than the single-sex changing rooms. This recommendation aligns with SwimEngland’s Wavepower guidelines, which highlights best practice for safeguarding and ensuring a comfortable environment for all swimmers, their families and members of the public.
Using the family changing area helps to maintain privacy and supports a more inclusive space for children and their guardians. We appreciate your cooperation in following this guidance to ensure a positive experience for everyone at the swim school.
Please make sure that all swimmers use the loo, blow noses and shower before lessons. All swimmers, both boys and girls are to wear swimming caps – this is compulsory.
Contact
Littleleander@plymouthleander.com
01752 717714
