swimming lessons guildford area

[londoner01]

Hi
My DD is really hating where I have put her in for lessons, a private swim school, I am not kean on some of their methods and can see why she is getting so anxious and not enjoying it. I was a good swimmer, swam at club level, and so would love her to enjoy swimming as I did. I have taught her a bit and we go fairly regularly as a family, although I am kean to get her into lessons to meet other children in the area.

We are moving to guildford area in a few months time, my DD is due to start in reception next september. At the moment she can do about 5m unaided, but dodgy stroke!

ANy reccomendations- leisure centres or swim schools or clubs? I know nothing about the area and round where we are now there are definate places to go/not go and want to limit disruption!
Thanks

DC swim at the Esporta club in Guildford. Groups are small - there are 3 in DC's group (two of them plus another) and they also do private lessons.

You don't have to be a member of the club to have the lessons but they are cheaper if you are. We are members and the cost is £10 per lesson for first child and £9 for second (I think they are £15 for non members) The fee is paid termly in advance.

I really like the teacher - professional and firm she has brought the children along fantastically and youngest (4 yrs reception) just got his 25metre badge

The main sports centre (Spectrum) and the sports centre at Surrey university also do lessons but both tend to have a waiting list (although are about half the price).

There are very few places in Guildford that are no goes - makes for an easy (if not sometimes mundane!) life !

Hello, believe spoke to you before about schools! hows it going? great to see going through with the move!

I can recommend a few ive used over the years with my daughters..
Spectrum leaisure centre- varies depending on what teacher you get but had a very good young guy teaching who my DD loved and he got her swimming in no time with his enthusiasm
Boxgrove school- lots of swim schools use the pool, some meant to be good
guildford high pool- same as above believe there is a swim academy that run on a sat, no idea if any good
Wey valley swimming club, godalming (10mins from guild)/spectrum(maybe some others now? we left a few months ago as wanted to focus on netball)-
DD went there for a few years when she was about 7 until she was about 12, they do right from learn to swim lessons progressing to competitive swimming with galas. cheap compared to lessons at a swim school.
gets them swimming quickly, mix of teachers, they use the older swimmers to help with the classes then they go onto train as teachers so lots of them are young (look around 16 to 20s with older adults supervising) but many very intelligent and teach them well. They did a lovely mini gala with the little ones and all the kids got medals however well they did. So very friendly and encouraging.
As it is not a swim school not quite as much emphasis on fun and games, but my DD seemed to enjoy it there and made friends easily despite being quite shy. unlike other clubs its relaxed and not hundreds of hours if they go onto the squads. would definately recommend, especially if you are from a club background like i am. Look at their website.

Im sure other people will have other options!

Hi thanks thats very useful will look at Wey Valley and spectrum. I like the sound of Wey Valley.
What size are the classes?
We are just about all sorted, decided on Guildford High Juniors, or possibly holy trinity or boxgrove if she gets in either, although without living in guildford at the moment its tricky! THen for our 11 year old george abbot if we get in, or Guildford high/priors field.
Reassured by many Guildford high isnt too pushy and heard good things, just need to try and get a job now to help with heafty fees!!

Class sizes varied- in the youngest it was 2 maybe 3 with one of the water helpers then about 7 with the main teacher but with the helpers too. then when they went onto the next stage it was always 3 groups doing widths, of about 4 in a group so pretty good.
One thing which did bother me is they did the groups for this next stage at the start of each lesson based on their ability in the sstoke they were doing but DD got a bit confused as one week she'd be in the bottom ggroup, thenext middle, then down again then up tot he top then bottom etc! based onw ho else was there or what stroke, also meant lack of consistency as to which teacher.. It did have advantages as they were roughly with the same other children and got the level of teaching they needed. But might have changed now and wasnt a huge issue.
Yes GHS is fine, expensive option but worth it, DDs all very happy and done exceedingly well there- good choice!!

That swim school does have the same method as wey valley actually then- they swapped groups like that but was fairly consistent that they went up a group rather than jumping about. But similar class sizes. Good to hear they did well when at GHS- hope oldest gets her year 7 place! expensive but worth it yes!

My DD is also starting reception at GHS in September - we are departing west London next month. Feeling rather nervous about the move as I'm a Londoner. Also on the search for swimming lessons thanks for the suggestions.

fiddledee- great to hear of someone also going to GHS. We have accepted the place but are also waiting to see if we get any of the good state school places, then will make a final decision but are pretty certain on GHS.
I am quite worried too, i was brought up in surrey and so feel i to some extent know it although I am worried about the stereotypical surrey mum and bubble of Guildford and feel i, and the girls, will really miss the diversity in London.
Hope to see you in sept then!