Pimlico and the Better Swim School Programme

From January 7th Westminster City Council, has agreed with a Council contractor, Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), to  introduce GLL's Better Swim School programme which should offer greater choice for residents at a lower price. It is claimed that higher quality swimming lessons will be delivered because of this move.

Parent and baby sessions will cost £5 – which is £7 cheaper than under the previous arrangement. Adults and juniors wanting one-to-one tuition will save 25 per cent on lessons with the price dropping to £30.  Teaching and coaching will be in accordance with the Amateur Swimming Association's (ASA) national teaching plan.

The Better Swim School is  aiming to create links with Westminster's swimming clubs.

Westminster Council says that  all existing customers and swimming teachers will be able to transfer to the Better Swim School. The current timetable of teaching will be delivered with Better planning to extend this provision even further in Westminster's five swimming pools.

Teachers who worked under the expired Swim Nature contract are being given the opportunity to transfer to the Better Swim School, allowing continuity from the old arrangement. Staff working for Better will get the chance to develop their skills, and every teacher will be ASA Level 2 (or equivalent) qualified.

Flexible course dates and payment options, including online and direct debit are also being introduced.

Cllr Steve Summers, Westminster City Council's lead member for sport and leisure, said:

"This move will make it much cheaper and easier for parents to take their young children swimming for the first time, as well as anyone else who wants to learn how to swim.

"I will stress that the lower cost will not result in a drop in quality, in fact it is quite the opposite. The programme of lessons is being brought in-line with ASA's teaching plan and teachers will have greater opportunity to develop their skills further.

"These changes will help drive forward our Olympic legacy in Westminster by giving people the best possible chance to get in the water at their nearest pool."