Swimming lessons
STA Swim Academy @ Wakefield Council
Swimming is an essential life skill that stays with you for life. We believe everyone should feel confident, safe, and happy in the water - whether you’re taking your first splash or looking to improve your technique.
Our structured swimming lessons are designed to build confidence, develop vital water safety skills, and create a lifelong love of swimming. As one of the safest and most popular forms of exercise, swimming supports both physical health and mental wellbeing at every age.
We offer swimming lessons for all abilities, from 1-year-old through to adulthood. By learning to swim properly and mastering the fundamentals, you’ll be able to enjoy water safely and confidently:
- at your local swimming pool
- on holiday
- at the beach
Learning to swim also unlocks a wide range of exciting sporting and recreational opportunities. Water polo, diving, canoeing, sailing, and snorkelling are just a few of the activities that become accessible once strong swimming skills are in place.
We are a proud STA Approved Centre, delivering the nationally recognised Swimming Teachers Association (STA) Learn to Swim Pathway (LSP). This all inclusive programme is carefully designed to help swimmers progress at their own pace, develop correct technique, and reach their full potential.
All our lessons are delivered by fully qualified swimming teachers, each holding a minimum Level 2 qualification. Our team also undertakes ongoing professional development to ensure the very highest standards of teaching. On occasion, trainee swimming teachers may assist with lessons - always under the direct supervision of a qualified teacher and tutor.
Quality, safety, and progression are at the heart of everything we do. Learning to swim doesn’t just build a skill that could one day save a life — it opens the door to greater confidence, improved health, and a world of social and sporting opportunities.
Swimming lessons we offer
1 year + Adult and Toddler Swimming Lessons
This exciting programme features six structured awards that gently introduce toddlers to the water, helping them build confidence and learn essential safety skills in a playful, supportive environment.
For all sessions, a parent or responsible adult is required to be in the water at all times.
Pre-school lessons (2 years to 4 years)
STAnley First Steps Series is an exciting series of 7 progressive awards specifically designed to teach learners from 2 years - with an accompanying adult - basic swimming and water safety skills.
A child’s first learn to swim experience is one of the most important in terms of capturing and retaining their interest.
Junior Learn to Swim Programme (For children 5 years+ or learners that have completed our pre-school programme)
STA’s Learn to Swim Programme (LSP) is a series of 7 progressive grades designed as a comprehensive and engaging programme. The LSP recognises that participants can join the scheme at different ages and abilities, so there is a starting grade suitable for everyone.
Junior Lifeguard Academy
(learners must be able to swim 50 metres continuously unaided)
The fun-packed programme offers something for everyone; from lifeguarding skills and first aid, to boogie boarding, ocean awareness, distance, sports skills and health and wellbeing.
For more information visit the STA junior lifeguard website.
Adult Swimming Lessons
In our 'beginners' lessons, you will receive individual tuition in small classes of 6.
Lessons are for adults who are:
- non-swimmers
- lack water confidence
We will provide all the necessary equipment for your sessions.
Improver Swimmers are for adults who are:
- looking to improve their technique
- looking to improve stamina
We will provide all the necessary equipment for your sessions.
Junior SEND Swimming Lessons (Ages 5+)
These sessions support children aged 5+ with special educational needs or disabilities to enjoy swimming in a safe, inclusive environment. Using STA’s Rockhopper programme, children develop water confidence, basic skills, and water safety through a fun, progressive series of 9 awards. To support safety and confidence, a parent or responsible adult must be in the water with the child at all times.
