To make a complaint - or am I PFB?

[wheresthecat]

DD wanted to join a swimming club, and there's a lifesaving swimming club at the local leisure centre. We read the blurb, and the key thing that I liked was that it said the kids would be learning at their own pace, without pressure from their peers, and would be given time to learn new skills.

However, every session, the kids are split into two teams, and instead of the teacher modelling the new skills they're learning, they just have to jump in and do it whilst the rest of their team are watching.

Last session, they were told to use the life saving surfboards (don't know the proper name!) - again with no instructions about how to use them, DD who had never used one was told to 'jump on and swim' - she couldn't, and fell in time and time again. The other children on her team were screaming and laughing at her, and then some were nasty to her as she 'lost them the race'. She sobbed all night, and doesn't want to go anymore.

I want to complain, as the course was £50. But am I overreacting. . .

No, you're not over-reacting. It sounds shit, and not exactly value for money.

I took my 2 children to a swimming course one school holiday - it was supposed to be a 1 week course but the teacher was very old school and both my children were sobbing by the end of day one and begged me not to make them go back!!
I didn't and emailed her to tell her why, I was actually very diplomatic but she sent a very snotty reply about how her methods worked.
I then emailed again telling her I wanted them to enjoy swimming ( and a few other things)
If they really hate it don't make them go anymore. I'm not pfb at all bit some swimming teachers can be a bit hard core

YANBU in the slightest.

This sounds awful.

My dd has recently started a life saving club, they do 30 minutes first aid and an hour in the pool, it's very much focused on enjoying themselves and learning skills at their own pace, she is loving it.

(It's only £20 for ten weeks as well.)

I wouldn't be happy at this, I don't know of I would complain as such but I'd certainly ask for a word. Im all for healthy competition but something where the kids are laughing and shouting at her isn't going to be positive learning for her.

Thank you all. I've just sent an email to the leisure centre outlining my concerns and asking for their comments, so I'll see what they say. I'm not going to make her go tomorrow though.