Swim Academy | Leatherhead Swimming Club

About the Academy

Where every swimmer begins

The LSC Swim Academy provides a structured, enjoyable and progressive introduction to competitive swimming. Qualified teachers focus on building correct technique, water confidence and a genuine love of the sport across Stages 1 to 9/10.

Academy sessions take place at St John's School, Leatherhead on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Sessions range from 30 minutes for the youngest stages up to 60 minutes for higher stages.

Small group sessions with qualified teachers
10 progressive stages from complete beginner to pre-squad
Regular assessment and clear progression criteria
Direct pathway into competitive LSC squads
Swim England Club Train membership included
Trial sessions available for new swimmers

Enquire about the Academy → Academy Portal login →

Stage levels

Days per week

30–60

Minute sessions

Years minimum age

Trial sessions available — we offer trial sessions for new swimmers to experience the programme before committing to a full term. Contact us to book.

Session Times

Academy timetable

All sessions take place at St John's School, Leatherhead. See the Location tab for directions and parking.

Wednesday

Stage 418:00–18:30

Stage 518:30–19:30

Stage 618:00–19:00

Stage 718:00–19:00

Stage 818:00–19:00

Saturday

Stage 312:30–13:00

Stage 412:30–13:00 / 13:00–13:30

Stage 512:30–13:00 / 13:00–13:30

Stage 213:00–13:30

Stage 613:30–14:30

Stage 712:30–13:30 / 13:30–14:30

Stage 813:30–14:30

Sunday

Stage 112:30–13:00

Stage 213:00–13:30

Stage 312:30–13:00 / 13:00–13:30

Stage 412:30–13:00 / 13:00–13:30

Stage 512:30–13:00 / 13:00–13:30

Stage 612:30–13:30 / 13:30–14:30

Stage 713:30–14:30

Stage 813:30–14:30

Stage 9/1013:30–14:30

Please note: Timetable may vary during school holidays. Your teacher will communicate any changes. For full confirmed times please check the SportsEngine Motion or contact us.

Progression Criteria

Stage requirements

Each stage has a set of skills that swimmers must demonstrate before progressing to the next level. Your teacher will assess when your swimmer is ready to move on.

Stage 1

Enter the water safely
Kick on front for 5m with floats
Kick on back for 5m with floats
Move sideways for 5m
Scoop water and wash face
Be at ease with water showered overhead
Move into a stretched floating position with aids
Regain an upright position from the back with aids
Push and glide in a horizontal position to/from wall
Take part in a teacher led partner orientated game
Demonstrate an understanding of pool rules
Exit the water safely

Stage 2

Jump in from poolside
Blow bubbles 3 times with nose and mouth in water
Star float on back and stand up
Star float on front and stand up
Push and glide on the back
Push and glide on the front; face in water
Travel 5 metres on the back
Travel 5 metres on the front
Rotate from front to back and stand up
Rotate from back to front and stand up

Stage 3

Jump in from the poolside and submerge
Sink, push away from the wall and glide
Push and glide on front and roll onto back; arms extended
Push and glide on back and roll onto front; arms extended
Travel on the front, tuck to rotate onto back and return
Fully submerge to pick up an object
Answer correctly 3 questions on the Water Safety Code
Travel 10m on the back
Travel 10m on the front

Stage 4

Demonstrate an understanding of buoyancy
Perform a tuck float for 5 seconds
Perform a sequence of 3 shapes while floating
Kick 10m backstroke; arms extended
Kick 10m frontcrawl; arms extended and still when breathing
Kick 10m butterfly; arms by side on front
Kick 10m breaststroke on back with float, feet out
Kick 10m breaststroke on front with float, feet out
Head first scull on back for 5m
Swim 10m, choice of stroke is optional

Stage 5

Perform a horizontal stationary scull on back
Scull feet first for 5m on back
Tread water for 30 seconds
Perform 3 different shaped jumps
Swim 10m backstroke – ASA LAW
Swim 10m frontcrawl – ASA LAW
Swim 10m breaststroke – ASA LAW
Swim 10m butterfly – ASA LAW
Perform a handstand for 3 seconds
Perform a tucked somersault
Demonstrate an action for getting help

Stage 6

Demonstrate an understanding of preparation for exercise
Sink, push off wall, glide and kick to backstroke
Sink, push off wall, glide, kick and rotate to frontcrawl
Swim 10m with clothes on
Swim frontcrawl with at least 6 correct breaths to side
Swim breaststroke with at least 6 correct breaths
Swim butterfly with at least 3 correct breaths
Swim 25m, choice of stroke optional
Perform a 'shout and signal' rescue
Perform a surface dive
Exit the water without the steps

Stage 7

Swim 25m backstroke
Swim 25m frontcrawl with correct breathing to side
Swim 25m breaststroke with correct breathing
Swim 25m butterfly
Perform a sitting dive
Swim 50m continuously using 1 stroke
Swim 100m, using a minimum of 3 strokes
Tread water using an egg beater action for 30secs
Complete an obstacle course with 4 objects with feet off bottom

Stage 8

Complete a set lasting 400m on a turnaround time e.g. 16×25m off 1min
Swim 400m continuously using 1 stroke
Kick 25m backstroke arms extended
Kick 25m breaststroke with a float
Kick 25m butterfly arms extended
Kick 25m frontcrawl with a float
Perform a backstroke turn – 10m in, 15m out
Perform a breaststroke turn – 10m in, 15m out
Perform a butterfly turn – 10m in, 15m out
Perform a frontcrawl turn – 10m in, 15m out

Stage 9

Complete a set lasting 800m on a turnaround time e.g. 16×50m off 1min 30secs
Swim 800m continuously using 1 stroke
Swim a continuous 100m IM using legal turns
Perform a 15m underwater kick on front in a streamlined position
25m backstroke from correct start and transition
25m frontcrawl from correct start and transition
25m butterfly from correct start and transition
25m breaststroke from correct start and transition

Stage 9/10

Complete a set lasting 1600m on a turnaround time
Swim 1500m continuously using 1 stroke
Perform a 100m continuous IM kick without float
Swim 200m IM using legal turns
Perform a 15m underwater butterfly kick on back or front in streamlined position
Perform a Frontcrawl relay take over – as an incoming swimmer
Perform a Frontcrawl relay take over – as an outgoing swimmer

Teaching Staff

Our swim teachers

All Academy sessions are delivered by our qualified swim teachers. Every teacher holds current Level 1 or Level 2 teaching qualifications through Swim England or the STA, Wavepower safeguarding certification, and an Enhanced DBS certificate.

Elliott

Swim Teacher

Sophia

Swim Teacher

Matthew

Swim Teacher

Annabel

Swim Teacher

William

Swim Teacher

Amelie

Swim Teacher

Faith

Swim Teacher

Zoe

Swim Teacher

All teachers hold current Level 1 or Level 2 Teaching qualifications through Swim England or the STA, Wavepower safeguarding certification, and Enhanced DBS clearance. There is always someone with current first aid qualifications on site during sessions.

Pricing

Academy fees & payments

Leatherhead Swimming Club is a not-for-profit members club managed by volunteers. Fees are used primarily to support swimmer development through pool hire, teaching, coaching, gala support and insurance.

2025–26 Academy Fees

Session Length	Termly Fee	Swim England*
30 minutes	£157.50	£18.85
60 minutes	£213.75	£18.85

*Swim England fees set by Swim England, payable annually in January. Subject to change.

Payment Terms

Fees added to TeamUnify on 1st of the month before each term (1 Sep, 1 Jan, 1 Apr)
All fees payable termly in advance
Any swimmer entering the water at term start is liable for a full term's fee
Late payment (after 14 days) incurs a £35 fee
No credits for absence due to illness, exams or holidays
6 weeks' written notice required to leave the club

Payment Details

Account Name

Leatherhead Swimming Club

Sort Code

40-27-07

Account Number

11113895

Reference

Your swimmer's name

For questions about fees contact Cathy Stansfield, Accounts & Finance Officer: lscswimmingclub@gmail.com

Rules & Safety

Pool safety rules

It is important that all swimmers understand and follow the rules whilst at the pools. Please read these carefully.

Entering & Leaving

Conduct yourself safely and in a way that does not cause risk to yourself or others
Do not run or lark around in the changing rooms
Leave all venues in a tidy and clean state
Follow all rules of venue staff and coaching staff

Poolside

Do not run
Do not push
Only enter the water when instructed by coach or lifeguard
Only dive when instructed and supervised by a poolside coach
All dives must be shallow racing dives with arms extended above head
Place kit bags in a safe place that will not cause a trip hazard

In Training

Listen to all instructions from coaches and poolside staff
Leave a 5-second gap between swimmers as a minimum
Swim clockwise or anti-clockwise as instructed
Only perform skills instructed by coaches
Exit the water immediately if instructed by coach or poolside staff
Never perform any action that puts yourself or others in harm's way

Breaches of pool safety rules will result in removal from the session and may lead to exclusion from multiple sessions. In extreme cases the club may terminate a swimmer's membership.

Getting Here

Pool location

St John's School

Linden Pit Path, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7JD

Parking: Free parking on Garlands Road.

Facilities: Changing rooms and showers available.

️ Directions

To find the pool at St John's School it is located on the corner of Garlands Road and Linden Pit Path, next to a zebra crossing. The pool is a modern looking building with a grey roof.

You should be able to park in the car park opposite. Cross the road from the car park towards Linden Pit Path, enter the pool via the glass double door and turn right. Access to the changing rooms is straight ahead, and the viewing gallery is to your left.

️ The pool entrance is not on the main road. Please follow these directions carefully.

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