Published on: Tuesday 9th November 2010
Five year olds now on swimming lessons!
We have now reduced the age of pupils in graded swimming lessons from six years old to five.
Up until now, children under the age of six have only been able to take part in foundation classes, but have to have a parent or guardian in the pool with them.
Our nine pools across Kirklees now be offering graded lessons to children from their fifth birthday onwards due to popular demand and to bring the Learn to Swim scheme in line with national trends.
Aquatics manager Jane Donarski said: “We have already begun enrolling the five year olds at some sites and it is proving extremely popular, particularly with parents who have more than one young child.
“Now that they don’t have to get in the pool with them, it’s easier to have more than one child in swimming lessons than it was before.
“We have also made our swimming lesson class sizes smaller to be able to give more attention to the younger children.
“This will open up lessons to a lot more children who can learn a vital and enjoyable life skill earlier.”
All children on KAL’s Learn to Swim scheme can swim free of charge during public swim times for the duration
of their course of lessons, so they can practise what they have learned. This is good news for parents now that the Government has scrapped the funding for the Swim4Free project.
KAL is also continuing with its programme of free swimming lessons for adults. Any adult who is either a complete beginner or a nervous or weak swimmer can still apply for free lessons. Contact the swimming development team on 01484 234127 or send an email to KALswimmingdevelopment@kirklees.gov.uk
The next enrolment for the Learn to Swim scheme takes place at Huddersfield Sports Centre on Sunday November 14th from 10am and at the Stadium Pool in Huddersfield from 8am. Colne Valley Leisure Centre will be enrolling from 9am on December 12. Batley Sports & Tennis Centre, Holmfirth Pool and Scissett Baths have recently held an enrolment day.
Batley Baths is enrolling beginners on November 27 from midday and all other grades on December 4 from midday. Dewsbury Sports Centre’s enrolment will be on December 12 from midday and Spenborough Pool’s is from 8am on December 5 for beginners and the following Sunday for all other grades.
