ADDITIONAL NEEDS SWIMMING LESSONS

At Swim 21 Training, we believe that every child deserves the chance to enjoy the water and learn to swim in a way that works for them. Our Additional Needs Swimming Lessons are specially designed to support children with a wide range of physical, sensory, learning, or emotional needs.


We proudly deliver the STA Rockhopper Programme, a structured and inclusive swimming framework that allows swimmers to progress at their own pace — with a strong focus on confidence, enjoyment, and personal achievement.


Each child will work one-on-one with a trained swimming teacher who is in the water with them, offering continuous support, encouragement, and hands-on guidance. Whether your child is taking their first steps in the pool or developing existing skills, we create a nurturing, low-pressure environment where every milestone is celebrated.

OUR SWIMMING LEVELS
FROM FIRST SPLASH TO CONFIDENT SWIMMER

Level 1
  1. Enter the water with support.
  2. Respond to water being gently sprinkled over limbs.
  3. Show enjoyment of being in the water.
  4. Lie on the back or front with adult support and be towed around the pool.
  5. Push a floating toy around the pool using any part of the body.
  6. Blow through a straw, whistle or blow a floating toy or watch, listen or feel a toy being blown.
  7. Move limbs in an alternating action.
Level 2
  1. Enter the water using any means.
  2. Look, listen or feel for splashes, enjoy water being sprinkled over head or body.
  3. Move limbs whilst moving around the pool.
  4. Float on the back or front whilst in a relaxed position.
  5. Watch, listen, feel or mimic blowing action while attempting to place mouth close to the water.
  6. Swing from back to front and return to back or side swing.
  7. Respond to light/sound and/or smell changes.
  8. Exit safely.
Level 3
  1. Show an understanding of being in the pool area.
  2. Enter the water using an appropriate method.
  3. Move through the water on the front or back for 5 metres.
  4. Float with a piece of equipment for 10 seconds or float with a piece of equipment for 10 seconds and return to an upright position.
  5. Roll from back to front and return to the back.
  6. Splash the water using own limbs or equipment or hum with nose in the water for 5 seconds.
  7. Respond to floating toys or move through the water to collect floating toys.
  8. Push a toy around the pool.
  9. Enjoy water being sprinkled over limbs or head or travel through a hoop at the water’s surface.
  10. Move across the pool in an upright position.
Level 4
  1. Enter the water safely with a jump or show an awareness of entering the pool safely.
  2. Touch a floating toy or perform a jellyfish or mushroom float.
  3. Reach for a toy and return it to poolside.
  4. Move across the pool or swim 5 metres on the front, roll onto the back and float.
  5. Move limbs in response to the actions of an adult or swim 5 metres on the back, stand up or adopt a safe position at poolside.
  6. Use a watering can to sprinkle water.
  7. Blow a toy across the pool or watch/listen to an adult blowing a toy across the pool or pick up a submerged toy from the bottom of the pool.
Level 5​
  1. Enter the water safely or enter the water safely, submerge and swim to the poolside and show a safe support.
  2. Move across the pool to collect a toy and return to poolside or tread water in an upright position for 10 seconds.
  3. Play with a toy or blow bubbles rhythmically while moving forward through the water.
  4. Move through the water under a woggle rainbow on the front or back or swim through a hoop held just below the water’s surface.
  5. Push a toy towards an adult or peer or push and glide on the front.
  6. Float on the back for 10 seconds.
  7. Move through the water using any style for 10 metres.
  8. Exit the pool safely.
Level 6
  1. Move around the pool avoiding floating toys or enter the water safely, using any method, roll onto the back and float for 10 seconds.
  2. Copy the swimming movements of an adult or swim 15 metres using any style.
  3. Move across the pool using arms or swim 5 metres on the front, roll onto the back and swim a further 5 metres.
  4. Jump up and down in the water with support or push and glide through a hoop held below the water’s surface, swim and adapt a safe breathing position.
  5. Look or feel for submerged toys with the face in the water or breathe rhythmically while swimming for 10 metres on the front or back.
  6. Play a movement game that involves splashing and kicking.
  7. Move through a woggle waterfall, having water sprinkled over the head or tread water for 20 seconds.
Level 7
  1. Swim across the pool on the front using any style for 20 metres.
  2. Swim across the pool on the back using any style for 20 metres.
  3. Jump into the water safely with a partner or recover a submerged toy from chest depth water.
  4. Lift feet off the pool floor, using a woggle or float for 15 seconds.
  5. Blow bubbles into the water or holding the poolside, rail or woggle, submerge completely and blow bubbles.
  6. Perform one of the following:
    • Change body position from back to front or front to back, from a push and glide.
    • Propel a floating toy for 2 metres.
    • Perform a treading water action with legs using a woggle (sea horses), or floats.
    • Kick across the pool with an aid on the front or back.
Level 8
  1. Answer a pool safety question.
  2. Enter the pool safely from poolside or exhale rhythmically with face submerged 4 times.
  3. Swim 5 metres unaided using any style or swim 25 metres unaided using any style.
  4. Push and glide from the poolside on the front.
  5. Perform a star float and the stand up or float in a relaxed manner for 20 seconds.
  6. Perform two of the following:
    • Attempt breathing when swimming on the front.
    • Attempt treading water.
    • Recover a toy from the bottom of the pool, from a swimming position.
    • Swim 10 metres on the front, roll onto the back and swim 10 metres, regain feet or secure a safe position at the poolside.
    • Swim 25 metres, collect a floating toy and return to the starting position.
    • Rotate on the surface of the water with the body sitting or lying back, for two complete revolutions.
Level 9
  1. Explain the pool safety rule.
  2. Perform one of the following:
    • Float for 30 seconds.
    • Tread water for 30 seconds.
    • Maintain a vertical position in the water for 60 seconds.
  3. Perform one of the following:
    • Swim 100 metres on either the front or back.
    • Swim 100 metres on the front and 25 metres on the back.
    • Swim 100 metres on the back and 25 metres on the front.
  4. Perform three of the following:
    • Enter the water and recover to a swimming position, swim 10 metres then leave the water unaided.
    • Recover a toy from the bottom of the pool, from a swimming position, in chest deep water.
    • Submerge and swim underwater for 1 metre.
    • Perform the H.E.L.P. position for 30 seconds.
    • Tow a casualty for 10 metres.
    • Swim 25 metres changing from front to back and return to the front.
    • Swim 25 metres changing from back to front and return to the back.

Baby Swimming Lessons

Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers

What age are your additional needs swimming lessons for?
We welcome children of all ages and abilities, but we recommend starting from no younger than 4½ years old. If your child is younger, our Babies & Toddlers swimming lessons may be a better fit to help them build early confidence in the water in a more age-appropriate setting. Our goal is to help every swimmer feel safe, supported, and happy in the pool, no matter where they start.
What programme do you follow?
We use the STA Rockhopper Programme, which is specially designed for swimmers with additional needs. It offers flexible stages focused on building confidence, movement, and independence in the water — all at the child’s pace.
Will my Child Get Individual support?
Yes! Every swimmer is supported with 1:1 instruction — a qualified teacher is in the water with them, offering guidance, encouragement, and hands-on support throughout the lesson.
What does my child need for lessons?
Your child will need:

✔️ A swimsuit.
✔️ Towel.
✔️ Swim hat (optional).
✔️ Any comfort items or aids they regularly use.

Our team will discuss any specific needs with you before starting, and we’ll work together to make each session as smooth and supportive as possible.
Are your teachers qualified?
Yes — all our instructors are STA Qualified Swim Teachers, trained in adaptive swim teaching and the STA Rockhopper Programme. They have experience working with a wide range of additional needs and create a positive, pressure-free learning space built on trust, encouragement, and fun.
How long are lessons?
Children’s lessons are 30 minutes long, designed to balance skill development with fun — and keep them engaged from start to finish!
Can I watch lessons?
Yes — in fact, parents are required to stay on poolside during lessons. This ensures you’re nearby to assist if needed and helps your child feel more secure knowing you’re close by. It’s also a great chance to see their progress and celebrate every splash of success!
What if my child misses a class?
If you give us 48 hours’ notice, we offer 1 replacement session per block of 6, based on availability. Replacement sessions must be used within 6 weeks, and can be a great way to try a new time or teacher too! We would like to note these lessons are extremely popular so we can only offer replacement sessions if there is one available.
How do I book lessons?
Booking is super simple! Just scroll to the booking section above and follow the steps. You’ll get a confirmation email once your place is secured.

Lessons run on a ​continuous schedule , and you can join at any time based on availability. We don’t run during school holidays. You’ll find the full yearly schedule on our website.
Where can I view your terms and conditions?
You can view our full terms and conditions by clicking terms and conditions at the bottom of this page . This includes details on bookings, cancellations, refunds, and poolside policies.