Welcome to Earley Swim School!

At Earley Swim School, our vision is simple:

To inspire everyone – from toddlers to adults – to enjoy the water, stay safe, and learn swim skills with confidence, in a supportive and welcoming environment.

Since 2012, we’ve taught thousands of swimmers across Reading and Berkshire – and we are proud to say we’ve never failed anyone. Many of our swimmers stay with us for years, moving confidently from beginner Stages to competitive levels.

Join us at Earley Swim School – the highest-rated swim school in Reading, Berkshire – where Safety, Skills, Confidence and Smiles come first!

Why Swim with Us?

  • Fast Progress, Lots of Fun
    With our proven teaching method, you and your child will progress fast while enjoying every lesson.
  • Highly Qualified Teachers
    All our teachers are Swim England Level 2 qualified, hold a valid National Rescue Award, and are fully DBS checked. On top of this, they complete ongoing in-house training with us to deliver our proven teaching method with confidence.
    For our Beginners and Stage 2 swimmers, teachers deliver lessons in the water alongside the swim assistants. This close support ensures children feel safe, receive hands-on guidance, and make faster progress right from the start.
  • Skilled Swim Assistants
    Our swim assistants are more than just helpers – many come from strong competitive swimming backgrounds and bring their passion and experience into every lesson. Working side-by-side with teachers in the water, they help maintain a close 1:3 ratio in beginner classes, ensuring faster progress, more support, and a safe, encouraging environment.
  • Head Teacher and Poolside Coach
    Every session is overseen by a Head Teacher or Swim England Level 2 Coach on poolside. This guarantees that lessons are delivered to the highest standards, teachers and assistants are always supported, and communication with parents is prompt and professional.
  • Swim England Swim School Accredited
    We are an official Swim England Swim School affiliated – the only recognised national governing body for swimming in England. Swimmers follow the Learn to Swim England Pathway, earning certificates and badges from Stage 1 to Stage 10.
  • Small Classes, Big Results
    Ducklings (preschool): max. 5 swimmers per class
    From Stages 1 to 7: max. 6 swimmers per class
    Small classes mean personalised attention and faster progress.
  • Regular Assessments
    Every 6 weeks, swimmers are assessed. Parents receive a clear progress report and certificate of achievement.
  • Pathway to Competitive Swimming
    Our swimmers follow the official Swim England Learn to Swim Pathway, earning certificates and badges at every stage:
    Stages 1 to 7: covering water confidence, core skills, and all four strokes.
    Stages 8 to 10 (Stamina sessions): focusing on technique, endurance, and proficiency in all competitive strokes. These advanced sessions are run by Swim England Level 2 Coaches, preparing swimmers for club squads and competitive swimming.
    Alongside stages, swimmers can also achieve Distance Awards and the prestigious Swim England Challenge Awards (Bronze, Silver, Gold) – celebrating their progress and motivating them to keep moving forward.
  • Flexible & Family-Friendly
    Lessons available 7 days a week.
    Easy to move between classes.
    Siblings can swim at the same time.
  • Parents Welcome on Poolside
    We believe in transparency and peace of mind. That’s why parents are always welcome to watch every lesson from poolside – so you can see for yourself the high-quality teaching, care, and support your child is receiving.
  • Affordable Excellence
    Swimming should be for everyone. With no admission fees and no hidden costs, our lessons are competitively priced and we offer flexible payment options with convenient installments – always maintaining top-quality teaching at competitive prices.
  • Outstanding Customer Service
    We are very proud of the care and support we give our families. At Earley Swim School, you are never just a number – you’ll always have a direct link to us for questions, feedback, and support whenever you need it.
  • Highest-Rated Swim School in Reading
    Families trust us – that’s why we are the highest-rated swim school on Google in Reading and Berkshire, backed by the largest number of 5-star reviews from happy swimmers and parents.

Our Lessons

Parent and Toddler Classes

Our Parent and Toddler sessions are designed for children aged 2 years. With songs, games, and guided movement, these fun and supportive classes help little ones build water confidence while bonding with their parent. A perfect first step before independent swimming.

Toddler Classes (3+ Years)

Our toddler sessions are designed to build water confidence and early swimming skills through fun, structured activities. With a focus on independence, floating, kicking, and safe water habits, these classes gently prepare young swimmers for Stage 1 of our Learn to Swim program

Children’s Swimming Lessons

Our children’s lessons follow the Swim England Learn to Swim pathway, progressing from Stage 1 to Stage 10. Small group sizes, taught by experienced teachers. Focused on building strong technical confidence and a lifelong love for swimming. Parents are welcome to watch lessons poolside and see their child’s progress firsthand. Whether your child is a complete beginner or working towards advanced skills, we’ll guide them every step of the way!

Ladies-Only Swimming Classes

Our ladies-only sessions offer a welcoming and supportive environment for women of all ages and abilities. Held in a comfortable, private setting and taught by female instructors. Perfect for beginners and advanced swimmers alike. We focus on building confidence and skills, working at your own pace.

Stamina & Technique Sessions (Stage 7–10)

These sessions are designed for swimmers who have completed the early stages and are ready to train at a more competitive level. Ideal for children in Stage 7 to Stage 10. Focus on long-length swimming, building endurance, speed, and stamina. Includes competitive swimming skills, advanced stroke technique, and starts and turns. A great stepping stone for those interested in joining a swim club or developing performance-level skills. Perfect for confident swimmers ready to take their training to the next level in a supportive and structured environment.

Adults Swimming Lessons

It’s never too late to learn to swim or improve your technique! Our adult lessons are designed for all abilities—from complete beginners to those looking to refine their strokes. Small group sizes with individualised attention. Teachers in the water to offer guidance and reassurance when needed. Focus on building confidence, learning technique, and improving overall fitness. Whether you’re overcoming a fear of water or aiming to perfect your front crawl, we’ll help you reach your goals at your own pace.

FAQ

Classes are 30 minutes long. 

All our teachers are qualified swimming Instructors with many years of experience. 

You will need to bring a swimsuit, towel and swim hat. Goggles are optional if needed. We supply learning equipment, such as flotation aids.
For children not yet toilet trained you will need a swim nappy.

We don’t offer trial lessons as your child needs to be fully booked and paid for in order to reserve their place, as we have a maximum number of children per class.

Testimonials

  • Earley swimming school is best for all age groups, located in a prime location. Mari and all supporting teachers are very good and professional swim instructors. It was a wonderful learning experience. My 10 year old son has reached to stage 4 while 7 year old daughter has reached stage 3 in just about 6 months. It’s wonderful to see them swimming. Thanks Mari for all your efforts and professional coaching.
    Amit Nikumbh
  • Mari and her team are brilliant teachers-they are very patient and focus on excellent technique. Both of my daughters have made amazing progress and have really gained in confidence. They look forward to their lessons each week and can’t wait to get in the water!
    Hanna Thomas
  • Mari is the most amazing swimming teacher! In only 6 months she took me from barely being able to swim front crawl, to being able to swim 2km in my Half Ironman triathlon! All this training was made to be so fun and effective, through Mari’s engaging and expert tuition! I cannot recommend Mari and the Earley Swim School enough! Thank you so much!
    Theo Stafford