You can sign up to swimming lessons at any of our eight swimming pools at the following leisure centres:

• Chester-le-Street Leisure Centre
• Consett Leisure Centre (Learn to Swim programme)
• Freeman's Quay Leisure Centre
• The Louisa Centre (Learn to Swim programme)
• Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre
• Spennymoor Leisure Centre
• Teesdale Leisure Centre
• Woodhouse Close Leisure Complex

Swimming lessons for children

Your child can start swimming lessons from four years old. From birth (up to four years), we also provide sessions for you to enjoy the water with your child, and develop their water confidence.

There are seven steps for your child to work through, based on the Amateur Swimming Association: Learn to Swim Pathway.

How to book swimming lessons

If you wish to enrol your child on to the aqualearn programme, complete our  Aqualearn waiting list application form (PDF, 87.1kb) or collect one from one of our participating swimming pools. Please ensure you bring a form of proof of address ID and payment method, as lessons must be booked and paid for at the same time.

For swimming lessons at Consett Leisure Centre and The Louisa Centre, please contact these leisure centres directly to enrol on their Learn to Swim programme.

Swimming lessons package

Our swimming lessons package includes one lesson per week, with unlimited access for your child to public and family swimming sessions, across our six pools (aquafun inflatable and splash tot sessions are not included), plus a welcome pack.

Lessons cost £19 per month when paying monthly by direct debit, or £67 per quarter.

Waiting lists

If there are no places available, your child will be added to the waiting list, and we will contact you as soon as a place becomes available.

Swimming lessons for adults

Whether you want to learn to swim or develop your swimming technique, our adult swimming lessons will help you achieve your goals.

Our adult swimming lessons package includes one lesson per week, with unlimited access to public and family swimming sessions (across our six pools).

Lessons cost £23.50 per month when paying monthly by direct debit, or £70.50 per quarter.

To sign up, download and complete our Aqualearn Expression of Interest Form (PDF, 64.1kb) . For more information, download Aqualearn Adults Leaflet (PDF, 270.1kb)  or contact your local swimming pool.

Private swimming lessons

If you would like to top up your swimming skills or improve one of your swimming strokes, then why not book some private swimming lessons. Download and complete the Aqualearn Expression of Interest Form (PDF, 64.1kb) , and hand it in to reception at your local pool.

Additional Information

Direct Debit payments

Spread the cost of your child's swimming lessons by selecting to pay by Direct Debit. Paying by Direct Debit spreads the cost monthly and no contract is required. View our Aqualearn Direct Debit FAQs (PDF, 485.4kb) for more information.

Contact your child's swimming teacher

If your child is already learning to swim with us and you wish to find out further information that our reception staff may not be able to answer directly, please complete the Aqualearn I'd Like To Know Form (PDF, 99.1kb) form and hand in at reception.

Terms and conditions

General and family swim aqualearn members

Any member of the aqualearn programme including aqua babies, aqua tots, aquakids, aqua youth, rookie lifeguarding and aqua adults is entitled to go into any general swimming session in any of our six pools (Chester-le-Street Leisure Centre, Freeman's Quay Leisure Centre, Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre, Spennymoor Leisure Centre, Teesdale Leisure Centre, Woodhouse Close Leisure Complex) for free. Any accompanying adult must pay the applicable entry fees. Exception applies to carers or parents who are carers of those children eligible for free swimming. 

• applicable to public swim sessions only
• aqua fun-inflatable sessions are excluded
• splash tots sessions are excluded
• not transferable
• admissions policy applies
• value cannot be discounted from any other product (i.e parties, family swim tickets etc)