Polam Swim School – Internal Lessons & External Classes
Welcome to Polam Swim School
Swimming is an integral part of life at Polam. Our on-site swimming pool allows children to develop confidence, water safety, and technique from an early age, taught by experienced instructors in small, supportive groups.
For Polam pupils, swimming is included within school fees from Preschool, beginning after the first half term in November. Lessons are carefully structured to build skills progressively – from water confidence and basic movement through to stroke development and stamina – with teaching adapted to each child’s age and ability. As with all areas of school life, lessons prioritise safety, encouragement, and enjoyment, helping children grow in confidence both in and out of the water.
Alongside our school provision, Polam Swim School also welcomes non-Polam pupils to a range of swimming classes held in our pool. These sessions are open to the wider community and include:
- Aquanatal
- Parent and Toddler
- Tadpoles
- Teaching Groups
- Squad
- Adult Swimming Lessons
Descriptions of these classes can be found below. All swimming lessons are delivered in a calm, well-supervised environment, with a focus on technique, confidence, and safe progression.
Places for non-Polam swimming lessons can be requested by completing the Swimming Enquiry Form, or by calling 01234 261864 and selecting Polam Swim School from the options.
Polam Swim School Classes
Discover swimming classes for every age and ability, led by qualified instructors in a safe, supportive environment.
Aquanatal
A qualified midwife and swimming teacher offer an exercise, relaxation and informative session for both ante-natal and post-natal swimmers. As your bump grows and body changes, immerse in warm pools for relaxing exercises with soothing music at Polam School’s Aquanatal classes.
Discover a stress-relieving, supportive environment where pregnant individuals can find like-minded friends. Aquanatal, led by skilled midwives, aids overall wellbeing, reduces anxiety, enhances sleep, and mitigates common pregnancy discomforts. Sessions run by experienced professionals, offering safe, gentle exercises catered to different pregnancy stages with small class sizes.
Parent and Toddler
Each child is accompanied in the water by a responsible adult and there is a fully qualified teacher and assistant teacher on poolside. Babies are required to have had their immunisations in order to participate within the course.
Our popular parent and baby/toddler sessions, designed for ages 12 weeks to 3 years, offer a bonding opportunity in the water. Led by expert swimming teachers, these structured, play-based lessons nurture confidence from an early age. With a maximum of 10 participants, the sessions focus on learning through play while emphasizing safety and progression to independent classes by age 3.
Tadpoles
Children from the age of 3 years are taught in small classes, with the teacher in the water and a qualified non-teaching assistant on poolside. Children remain in the Tadpole group until they start full-time school.
From ages 3 to 5, children develop independence in the water through structured swimming lessons led by a teacher in the pool and supported by a qualified assistant. Small group sessions focus on water confidence, safety skills, and progression through Swim England Duckling Awards
Lessons are 30 minutes long, and parents observe from designated viewing area. Our carefully planned sessions support each child’s development at their own pace, helping to build confidence, essential water skills, and a lifelong love of swimming.
Teaching Groups
Once children start full-time school, they move into our teaching groups. The pool is divided into three separate classes based on ability.
We follow a structured scheme of work, with children working towards our own Polam Swim School distance awards. Progress is assessed towards the end of each term, and children move up to the next ability group as and when they are ready.
As with all our swimming lessons, our aim is for children to develop essential water safety skills, learn to swim effectively and with good technique, and to build a lifelong love of swimming. Classes are 30 minutes long and are offered at a wide range of times after school during the week and on Saturday mornings. Parents and carers are welcome to watch from our viewing gallery.
Squad
Participation within the swimming squad is by invitation only. Children at the upper age range of the Children’s groups (minimum 8 years) with a minimum of a Polam Swim School 200m certificate may be invited to join Squad Swimming sessions.
Children from outside the School may be eligible to join but they will need a trial before joining.
Lessons are 45 minutes long and we follow a Scheme of Work including distance awards. Awards over 400m are tested once or twice during the year by appointment on a Saturday afternoon.
Adult Swimming Lessons
We offer swimming lessons for adults of all ages and abilities.
Any ability is catered for, with our experienced swimming instructors providing you with the confidence to overcome any challenge.
The adult swimming lessons are suitable for beginners, improvers or advanced swimmers over the age of 16 and are taught in small class sizes with a maximum of 8 in the pool. Lessons take place in the evening.
Pool Parties
Our popular pool parties can be held on a Saturday, Sunday or during the school holidays.
The parties consist of 1 hour of structured play led by our qualified and experienced swim staff. You then have 2 additional options if you wish to eat on site. We will set up everything for you – all you need to bring is the party food and any decorations!
We can accommodate up to a maximum of 20 children, (children under the age of 3 years must be accompanied by an adult). As our price is fixed, this makes it a very cost-effective option especially for larger parties of 20.
Standard
£0*1 hour swimPremium
£0*1 hour swim + 30 minute hire of the school hall for birthday cake, snacks, etc.Deluxe
£0*1 hour swim + 60 minute hire of the school hall for birthday cake, tea/lunch, etc.