Swimming
Lessons
Getting Started
Looking for swimming lessons your child will love?
Whether you’re introducing your little one to water for the first time or helping your teen refine their strokes, Abbeycroft Swim Academy offers expert-led swimming lessons for all ages and abilities to learn to swim and beyond at all our pools across Suffolk.
Join Abbeycroft Swim Academy for swimming lessons that are safe, fun with the aim to build confidence and skills.
Did you know– You get FREE swimming across all Abbeycroft pools included with your lessons.
Cost
Payable monthly by Direct Debit £35.50 per month.
We also have a Family Membership which includes swimming lessons! Read more here.
Getting started
With Abbeycroft, getting started is a breeze!
Let us help you find the right stage for your child.
Already a member?
Click the button below to login in to your account
Your Membership:
With the Swim Academy membership, your child gets all the support they need – from building water confidence to mastering strokes and learning vital safety skills. Every lesson helps them grow, splash by splash!
Weekly Swimming Lesson*
Free Swimming Access
Swim England Awards**
Parent Portal
Discounts on Children’s Activity Courses
*Lessons run for 50 weeks of the year with a 2-week Christmas break.
Lessons are weekly with 25 minutes of active teaching and a 5-minute administration & change over time.
Your child’s progress is monitored and regularly assessed throughout the year to ensure they reach their potential.
**These awards are provided by Swim England and there’s a small extra fee for each badge or certificate.
New Joiners
If you are unsure of which stage to enroll onto, use our easy guide below to help you decide and follow the links to book.
Descriptions of our lesson stages for guidance
Private lessons
Our 30 minute private 1:1 or 2:1 sessions offer individual coaching from a dedicated swimming instructor, providing a focused and personalised learning experience.
Why choose private lessons?
It is ideal for pupils who prefer a more personal, bespoke approach to learning. It allows for customised instruction to suit their unique needs and pace.
With individual attention from our expert instructors, you or your child will receive immediate feedback and guidance, accelerating their progress. This is perfect for reinforcing the skills being taught in group sessions, ensuring your child gains confidence and mastery in the water.
To enquire, choose from the relevant centre links below.
Swim Academy included in our exclusive Family Membership
Our Family Membership has everything you could ever need in a membership, including your child’s swimming lessons, for only £115 per month (saving of up to £122.70)
The family membership is available for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 Juniors) or (1 adult and 3 Juniors).
Additional juniors can be added on at £35.50 per month subject to availability.
The teacher is thoughtful and accommodating to everyone’s needs. She has created a really welcoming atmosphere in our swimming class.
Enthusiastic and encouraging to all children, he is fair and gives them all the same amount of teaching, my little girl has trust in him which she usually finds quite difficult.
I feel that my child’s swim teacher has patience and a caring attitude which makes her an effective swim teacher. She always has a happy and friendly face which I think is great as it shows a positive attitude.
Very thorough. High standards. Knows all the students individually. Incredibly professional but also lovely and friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age can my child start swimming lessons at Abbeycroft?
Children can start as young as 4 months old in our baby and toddler sessions. We offer structured lessons for all age groups, including children, teens, and adults.
How do I know which swimming stage is right for my child?
Use our Find Your Stage tool to get a quick recommendation based on your child’s age and ability. Or speak to our team for personalised advice.
Are your swimming instructors qualified?
What is included in the monthly fee?
Your £34/month includes weekly swimming lessons, access to our Home Portal for progress tracking, and award certificates as your child progresses.
Can I book private swimming lessons?
Do you offer adult swimming lessons?
What is the Home Portal and how does it work?
The Home Portal is an online platform where you can track your child’s progress, view achievements, and manage lesson bookings.
Are swimming lessons included in the Family Membership?
What should my child bring to their first lesson?
Just a swimsuit, towel, and goggles if preferred. For younger children, swim nappies may be required. Our team will guide you on what’s needed.
Where are Abbeycroft swimming lessons available?
Lessons are available at all Abbeycroft Leisure centres, including Bury St Edmunds, Hadleigh, Haverhill, Newmarket, Sudbury, and Mildenhall.
Adult and Child
3-18 months
An introduction to the world of swimming building confidence and enjoyment in the water. Under 18 months require an accompanying adult.
Includes: Safe entries/exits/rolling/kicking/floating
Adult and Child
18 months-3 years
This class reinforces the practices learned in the 3-18 months classes learning to swim with aids but without adult support. Adults are required in the pool.
Pre-School
3-4 years
Class scenario structure learning front paddle and back paddle with/without aids floating, blowing bubbles, faces in the water.
Please note that at Kingfisher and Hadleigh, parents will need to accompany their children in the water.
Stage 1
4+ years
A class suitable for non-swimmers with little water experience. Pupils will develop water safety awareness, and water confidence, working with aids to develop kicking skills, blowing bubbles, with encouragement to put faces into the water.
Stage 2
Suitable for those who have passed Stage 1. The student is required to be water confident, happy to put face in the water and attempt to swim. Pupils will continue to develop so they can swim on their front & back for 5 metres, jump in and float unaided, and rotate and regain upright positions.
Stage 3
For children who have passed Stage 2.
Pupils must be able to swim 10 metres front and back. This class will introduce simultaneous kicking, push/glides, and water safety knowledge submersion.
Stage 4
For children who have passed Stage 3.
Pupils will develop an understanding of buoyancy through a range of skills, refining kicking for all four strokes. They will be taught to kick 10 metres to a given standard as per Swim England, and introduced to sculling skills.
Stage 5
For children who have passed Stage 4.
Pupils will be taught to swim 10 metres of all four strokes to the standard directed by Swim England, improve sculling skills, treading water, rotations, and handstands.
Stage 6
Pupils will refine the four strokes with correct breathing, how to prepare for exercise and aquatic safety, introducing surface dives and swim with clothes on.
Stage 7
For children who have passed Stage 6.
This is the final stage before pupils can choose the next swim developmental journey. Must have competency in all four strokes for 25 metres. A 100-metre swim with 3 different strokes will be expected, with a focus on increasing stamina.
Stage 8,9 & 10
For children who have passed stage 7. Competitive swimming, diving, water polo & rookies are introduced, giving the swimmer a broader understanding of aquatics. At Newmarket, disciplines are treated as separate classes – At Bury, Haverhill & Mildenhall, disciplines are taught together.
Adult Improvers
For the more able swimmer.
Aimed at improving stroke techniques, building stamina and introducing dives and turns.
Adult Beginners
For non swimmers/beginners.
Aimed at improving water confidence and introducing basic stroke techniques.
Babies First Swim Course
Up to 18 months
A FREE 4-week course to introduce them to water in a small group. Also provides adults with more confidence in supporting children in the water. The children will be learning the basic skills including how to move in water, float, streamlining, and how get in and out of the pool safely.
Bury Leisure Centre: Mondays 11:00 & Thursdays 13:00
Newmarket Leisure Centre: Mondays 13:30 & Thursdays 13:00
Mildenhall Hub: Wednesdays 11:30& Thursdays 11:30
Select your location and choose holiday courses.