Swimming is a key life skill for various compelling reasons. For a start, there are the obvious safety implications – in some situations, being able to swim could save your life. Meanwhile, knowing how to tread water and float can also be crucial in certain emergencies.
Teach a child to swim and they will have safe access for life to water-based activities from diving to sailing and canoeing, plus a wide range of water sports.
But there are also numerous health and well-being benefits, since moving through the water promotes physical fitness and social development. Swimming is an excellent cardiovascular workout that helps develop strong bones and muscles, while enhancing coordination, stamina, strength, and flexibility. It is also a great stress buster and can enhance sleep quality.
So, unsurprisingly, swimming and water safety form part of the National Curriculum for PE in England, and all primary schools must lay on lessons in these disciplines. The aim is that every child should be able to swim at least twenty-five meters with confidence and competence.
The Swim School at St Joseph’s College, Reading
If you are looking for schools with swimming pools and swim schools, make St Joseph’s College your first port of call. Our swim school instructs children from the age of 4 to 17, as well as adults.
Importantly, our Swim School is run and managed by teachers at the College, supported by highly qualified swimming staff. This ensures that children benefit from expert instruction delivered with care, consistency, and a deep understanding of learning and progression.
Our small group sessions set us apart – we never have more than six learners in a group. We follow Stages 1 through 7 of Swim England’s teaching programme, devised by experts. And we make sure we pass on a wide variety of skills, from floating and diving to water safety and more.
The small groups make for a more tailored experience, faster learning, and more feedback to everyone on the progress in the pool.
We Offer:
- Lessons for children from the age of four under the Learn to Swim programme from Swim England
- Sessions for students aged eight and older, who may again be beginners or may need some more guidance
- Fitness sessions are for children aged up to 16 (Swim England Stage 5 and beyond), and are about swimming lengths and improving general fitness
- Adults – for both beginners and improvers
St Joseph’s Swim School also offers a number of unique benefits:
- Free taster sessions to give you a feel for the classes before you commit
- Women-only adult groups
- Intensive week-long crash courses during the school holidays
- Free on-site parking
- The option to follow your child’s progress online and see how they are doing in the water
- We accept the government’s tax-free childcare payments and vouchers to pay for swimming lessons
Swim School in Reading, Berkshire
With a deserved reputation for excellence in teaching, St Joseph’s is widely regarded as running one of the best swim schools in the Berkshire and Reading area.
St Joseph’s College is an independent catholic school in Reading, teaching boys and girls between the ages of 3 and 18, offering outstanding value for money – learn more about us today.