Ad – This post is in collaboration with Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, though all opinions are based on my personal experience.
Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre is a fantastic hub for fitness and family activities, but today, I’m focusing specifically on its excellent swim school. With its recently refurbished pools and state-of-the-art facilities, the sports centre offers a brilliant setting for children to learn essential swimming skills, build confidence in the water, and enjoy the benefits of aquatic exercise.
With my daughter starting primary school and taking a break from swimming lessons at another location, I decided to try out the swim classes at the sports centre. Here’s a look at what we experienced and why I highly recommend their lessons.
1. The Facilities
The sports centre is home to excellent aquatic facilities, including a 25-metre pool, a training pool, and a diving pit. In addition to swimming lessons, there are various activities available, such as aqua aerobics, fun and float sessions, family swim slots, diving lessons, and SEND-friendly sessions for those with additional needs.
Parents can enjoy a comfortable view of the 25-metre pool from the spectator gallery. The soft play area, which overlooks the pool, is also a great way of keeping siblings entertained while their brother or sister swims.
The training pool offers a couple of rows of seating for parents, though this is generally encouraged only during the first lesson to minimise distractions for the children.
The 25-metre pool is enclosed by a glass dome, allowing plenty of natural light to flood in and create a bright, welcoming atmosphere. The pool is heated, and there are regular lane swimming sessions for seasoned swimmers, so you can find times that work for you.
2. The Swim School
The swim school offers a range of lessons suitable for children of all abilities. My daughter started in Stage 1, and I was impressed with how easy it was to find a class day and time that suited us.
One you have signed up for the lessons, you’ll be given access to the online portal, which is a really handy tool, where you can track your child’s progress, including what they’ve achieved so far and which skills still need assessment. This is a really helpful system and a great way to stay informed about my daughter’s development.
She thrived in Stage 1, completing a full term before moving up to Stage 2, where she is now flourishing. After years of being hesitant to put her head under water, she now does it confidently and happily!
When we first started, my daughter was a little shy in the water. I had initially enrolled her in Stage 2, but it quickly became apparent that she wasn’t quite ready for that level. Fortunately, the swim school was very accommodating, and they offered a Stage 1 place for her on the same day.
The swimming classes are available for children from babies to adults. If you have a family membership, the swimming lessons are included. For non-members, there’s a monthly fee of £35, which covers the entire year.
My daughter has remained engaged and excited about her lessons. Her teacher strikes a great balance between authority and friendliness, keeping things fresh and fun. It was a nice surprise when my daughter moved up to the next stage. The teacher explained to my daughter how she had mastered all the skills for that level and was now ready to swim with more confidence.
3. My Experience
I’ve been really impressed with the swim school. It’s great value for money, especially considering that lessons run throughout the year, with breaks at Christmas but continuing through summer and half terms. Plus the £35 monthly fee includes free entry to general swimming at the centre too!
It’s also a big plus that there’s a coffee shop and a fabulous soft play area for family members to use while the child is in their lesson. It makes it easy to relax while your little one is learning.
4. Want to Know More?
The Swim School teaches children essential water safety skills while helping them build their confidence in the water. The qualified teachers guide children through the Swim England-approved pathway, helping them progress from their first splash to earning various badges and certificates.
A bonus part is that I can leave her to enjoy her lesson while I relax in the café with a cup of tea and catch up with my never-ending to-do list!
5. How to book?
To secure a place and give your child the invaluable gift of a life-saving skill, simply fill out the enquiry form (linked below) and request a callback. One of our teachers will be in touch to discuss next steps. It’s that easy to get started…