Lock Cottage Swim School
Lock Cottage Swim School
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We are a small, family-run swim school located in a secluded garden in Old Hanwell, W7.
We run swimming lessons in a calm environment, designed to help children or adults feel safe, secure and confident in the water. Our class sizes are small, so that individuals get the attention they need to learn and progress quickly. We find this is a faster and more efficient way of learning than the traditional, larger, more impersonal class structure.
All our teachers have been cherry-picked, not just for their high standard of qualifications, but for their personalities, so they fit our ethos.
Our outdoor pool is 7x3 metres, heated to a warm 29 degrees and set in a pretty and tranquil oasis that we hope will be enjoyed by swimmers and spectators alike.
Our weekly classes run seasonally from April-October, along with intensive crash courses during the school holidays.
About Us
About Us
When our daughter was learning to swim we felt that the rush and churn of big, impersonal classes was a false economy. Learning speeds can be greatly hampered by the disruption inherent in large groups and the lack of focus from instructors, who have to split their time between so many students. That’s why we offer smaller classes with focused, individual attention.
We also wanted to try and create a pretty, relaxed and tranquil environment for the patient parents while they wait on the sideline, giving them a chance to enjoy their time too!
It was always our goal to find the right balance between fun and learning, in order to encourage progression hand in hand with a healthy love for swimming.
Classes
Classes
Weekly Term Time Lessons
Weekly classes (or twice a week if you wish, it’s up to you) are the perfect balance of fun and learning. Our Instructors will be in the pool for all our swimmers that need support. Email or speak to us personally, we always individually place our swimmers to find the best class for you.
School Holiday Crash Courses
Crash courses are a fabulous way to speed up swimming progress in an intensive batch of 5 lessons, reinforcing learning. They run in the school holidays in 5 day blocks Mon-Fri and are either private 1:1 or 2:1
Adult Swimming Lessons
We have private adult swimming lessons designed for non-swimmers, those who wish to grow their confidence in the water or perfect their skills! These are booked privately or as a 2:1 with a friend (or even a child over the age of 8) should you wish.
Baby Swim
We will be running Baby Swim classes on Thursday mornings from 09.30, with the pool set to a warm 30-31 degrees. Babies must be accompanied in the pool by their adult (and a swim nappy) with a maximum of three per class.
Term Dates 2025
All lessons are 30 minutes in duration, unless otherwise requested.
Summer term:
22 April - 19th July - 12 weeks,
(Excluding 26th May - 30th May)
Tuesday-Friday: 15.45 - 18.45
Saturday: 09.00 - 12.00
May half-term 4-day crash course
27th May - 30th May
Tuesday-Friday, slot times TBC
Summer crash courses
21st July - 29th August
Weekly Monday-Friday, slot times TBC
Autumn term TBC
2nd - 27th September
Tuesday-Friday: 15.45 - 18.45
Saturday: 09.00 - 12.00
Pricing for half hour sessions
£29.50 per person for 2:1
£47 for 1:1
Special lesson requirements
Have any special requirements? We always try to accommodate your needs. Please get in touch.
Sibling discount
We offer a 10% discount for siblings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do your teachers have?
What qualifications do your teachers have?
All of our swim teachers have a minimum qualification of STA or Swim England level 2. Personality is an important factor for us. We want lessons to find the right balance between a high standard of teaching and fun, that’s why we work with a swim consultant who teaches teachers and helps us to cherry pick people that fit our ethos. It goes without saying that all our teachers are also fully insured and DBS checked.
What do i wear for my swimming lesson?
What do i wear for my swimming lesson?
Appropriate swimwear, swim vest (should you wish), swimming hat and goggles.
How do I get there?
How do I get there?
You will be sent directions to the pool with your welcome email when you book. Additionally, the week before your first session, you will receive a confirmation email with further details including the pincode for the gate you need to let yourself in. PLEASE DO NOT LET THE CAT OUT OF THE GARDEN. Follow the signs to the pool guiding you to the left, walk in front of the cottage (say hello to the goldfish on your way), where you will find our colourful changing huts, in which you can get changed for your lesson.
What lessons do you offer?
What lessons do you offer?
What do I do with my belongings when swimming?
What do I do with my belongings when swimming?
Please place all your belongings in the bucket provided in the changing huts and take with you to the poolside.
What's the pool like?
What's the pool like?
Our outdoor pool is 7x3 metres and heated to a warm 29-31 degrees celsius. It's loved and looked after very carefully and meets the same standard as any commercial swim school pool.
What classes do you offer?
What classes do you offer?
Weekly term time lessons (1:1 & 2:1).
We always individually place our swimmers to find the best class available for your needs.
School Holiday crash courses (1:1 & 2:1)
An intensive batch of 5 lessons. They run in 5 day blocks Mon-Fri. A highly effective way to learn fast!
Adult only swim lessons
We have private adult swimming lessons designed for non-swimmers, those who wish to grow their confidence in the water, or simply perfect their skills.
Baby swim
Please register your interest for babyswim by contacting at lockcottageswimschool@gmail.com
Special lesson requirements
Have any special requirements? Being a small, private pool we have scope to accommodate individual needs. Please email us at at lockcottageswimschool@gmail.com and we'll see if we can help!
What class should I book?
What class should I book?
All our bookings are made personally with our swim manager. She will help you find the right class for your needs. Please let her know any requirements you have, medical conditions, swimmer’s ability and previous experience to help best place your child.
How do I I book?
How do I I book?
Please either fill out the contact form on this website or email us at lockcottageswimschool@gmail.com
What are your term dates?
What are your term dates?
All lessons are 30 minutes in duration unless otherwise requested
Summer term
22 April - 18th July -12 weeks (with no term classes over half term 6th May - 30th May)
May half-term crash course
26th May - 30th May
Summer crash courses
Running weekly Mon-Fri from 21st July - 29th August
Autumn term
TBC - weekly lessons running from 2nd September - 27th September
What time slots are available?
What time slots are available?
Term Lessons
Tuesday-Friday afternoon slots: 15.45 - 18.45
Saturday slots: 09.00 - 12.00
Crash Courses
These will run Monday - Friday, time slots will be determined at a later date
Do you have changing rooms?
Do you have changing rooms?
Yes, we have two “beach huts” where you can get changed.
Is there a loo?
Is there a loo?
Yes, we have a toilet available for your use.
What if I want to change my course?
What if I want to change my course?
It’s very difficult for us to move around swim lessons in a busy schedule, but we of course we want to accommodate where possible. Unfortunately once your booking has been confirmed we cannot guarantee an alternative place can be offered to you. Any changes to booked course dates and times will incur a £22 administration fee.
What are your poolside rules?
What are your poolside rules?
We are a small swim school so kindly ask that only one parent / guardian attends their child’s swimming lesson. A parent / guardian must stay on site for the duration of the swim lesson.
No running. No diving. No bombing. Please only enter the water when instructed by your teacher.
Footwear- We have wooden decking. Please bring suitable flip-flops or sandals for poolside use.
Food & drink- We know that swimming can make you hungry but please do not bring any food or drink (apart from water) to the poolside. Absolutely no glass / glass bottles please.
Rubbish - Please take all rubbish and litter away with you.
What happens if it rains?
What happens if it rains?
It’s fine to swim in the rain. Lessons will go ahead unless there is thunder and lightning or it's deemed unsafe by our teachers. We have seating in our poolside hut and under our gazebo for guardians to take shelter during the lesson.
What happens if my lesson is cancelled?
What happens if my lesson is cancelled?
If Lock Cottage Swim School cancels a lesson a replacement lesson will be offered. If this if not possible, a refund for that lesson will be given.
Does my child need to wear a nappy?
Does my child need to wear a nappy?
It is essential for the sanitation and smooth running of our pool that our water is not contaminated. If in any doubt please adhere to the double layer nappy system. Dirty water means our pool cannot operate and we have to close.
This system consists of an aqua nappy such as Huggies, that can be purchased in most supermarkets, with a happy nappy over the top. The happy nappy can be bought online @www.splashabout.com, Amazon and various other retailers.
Can my child swim if unwell or recovering?
Can my child swim if unwell or recovering?
PLEASE DO NOT BRING AN UNWELL CHILD TO THE POOL. If the pool is contaminated with faeces, especially in cases of diarrhoea, this can contain an organism called Cryptosporidium which will force us to close the pool. Your child MUST NOT HAVE HAD DIARRHOEA FOR 48 HOURS BEFORE ENTERING THE POOL. In cases of diagnosed Cryptosporidium you must alert Lock Cottage Swim School immediately on diagnosis.
Can I eat and drink before my lesson?
Can I eat and drink before my lesson?
Try to leave at least an hour between eating anything and swimming.
What if I cannot attend my lesson?
What if I cannot attend my lesson?
We are a small swim school and will do our best for you, but sadly cannot guarantee we will be able to replace or refund any missed lessons.
Where can I park?
Where can I park?
The best place to park is in the cul-de-sac by the The Fox Pub or at the bottom of Green Lane. Parking is resident permits only, OH zone, Mon-Fri 8am-10am, 1pm-3pm & 6-8pm.
No parking metres are available, for this reason (unless you have an OH zone permit) we urge people to walk or take public transport as the whole local area is a controlled parking zone and even with a permit we cannot guarantee parking spaces. We recommend the free app called CITYMAPPER to help you navigate your way here (our post code is W7 2PH)
NB: Please be aware of the NO-DRIVE-TIMES on Green Lane. There is a School, St Marks, at the top of green lane. There are restrictions when you can drive up and down Green Lane without being detected by a traffic camera. These coincide with school drop-off and pick up times and are: 8.30am-9.15am and 2.45-3.30pm. As these times are very limited, it hopefully should not affect most guests. Lock Cottage Swim School can take no responsibility for those that receive a fine.
How do I contact Lock Cottage Swim School?
How do I contact Lock Cottage Swim School?
Please email us at lockcottageswimschool@gmail.com or fill in the contact form on this website.
When is the earliest I can arrive?
When is the earliest I can arrive?
Please respect the time of others and their privacy whist in the pool. We kindly ask that you do not arrive any earlier than 10 minutes before your lesson and leave promptly.
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