Frequently Asked Questions - Elites Swimming Schools in Essex
Welcome to the FAQ section for Elites Swimming, your local swimming schools in Essex. We’re here to answer the most common questions about our services, pricing, policies, and programmes. Whether you're a new swimmer, a parent, or an aspiring competitor, you’ll find helpful answers below.
General Questions
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Elites Swimming is a professional swim school based in Essex, offering group and private swimming lessons for children and adults in Basildon and Billericay. We are known for our bespoke, progression-based swimming syllabus that delivers results faster than national programmes.
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We use our own award system instead of the Swim England framework, allowing for flexible, tailored teaching. Our instructors are ex-competitive swimmers, and we offer specialist services like stroke analysis with video tech, rookie lifesaving, and competition workshops.
Booking, Pricing & Payment
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You can book your lessons online, call us directly, or visit our pool locations in Basildon and Billericay to speak to a team member.
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Prices vary based on lesson type:
Group lessons: Affordable and social
Private lessons: Higher cost, faster progression
Special programmes: Priced individually
For current rates, please view pricing here.
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We offer savings on private swimming lessons when you book a block of sessions. We also occasionally run a Refer a Friend promotion on selected dates. Please contact our team to find out about any current offers.
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For the swim school we accept card payments, bank transfers, cash, and direct debit. For private lessons we accept cash and Bank transfer. Payment is required in full at the time of booking.
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For group classes, lessons are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you wish to end your lessons with Elites Swimming, we require a two-lesson notice period.
For private lessons, cancellations cannot be made within 48 hours of your lesson. If you have booked a block of private lessons, there must be no more than 31 days between sessions; otherwise, the remaining lesson will be lost.
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In most cases, yes. Availability depends on class spaces and swimmer ability, so we recommend contacting us to discuss current vacancies.
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Our team can advise on current availability at both our Basildon and Billericay locations and recommend the most suitable class.
Locations, Facilities & Access
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We operate at swimming pools in Basildon and Billericay, Essex. Visit our location pages for directions and facilities.
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Operating hours vary by location and day. Most lessons are held after school hours and weekends. For private sessions, flexible times are available.
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Yes, both our Basildon and Billericay venues have free on-site parking for parents and guardians.
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Yes. Our venues are family-friendly and offer changing facilities, viewing areas, toilets and showers. Contact us if you need specific accommodations.
Services & Programmes
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We offer:
Children’s Group & Private Lessons
Adult Group & Private Lessons
Stroke Analysis & Speed Training
Rookie Lifesaving Programme
Pre-Club Bronze, Silver & Gold
Water Polo Classes
Competition Swimming Lessons
Triathlon Training
See Our Classes for full details.
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Children can start as early as 34 months in group classes and from age 2 in private lessons.
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Yes, we offer structured adult swimming lessons in group settings and private sessions for beginners and improvers.
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Our Pre-Club Bronze, Silver & Gold programme is for advanced swimmers aiming for competitive performance. Sessions include endurance sets, sprint drills, turns, and race prep.
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Using our endless pool and underwater video tech, we record your stroke, break down your technique, and provide drills to optimise performance. Ideal for club swimmers and triathletes. Learn more.
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Our Rookie Lifesaving course teaches essential rescue and water safety skills. It's ideal for children working towards RLSS qualifications.
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Yes. We offer water polo classes for kids aged 5+, helping them develop strength, endurance, and team strategy skills.
Class Structure & Instruction
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Stage 1: Five swimmers
Stage 2-4: Six swimmers
Stage 5: Seven swimmers
Stage 6/7: Eight swimmers
60min sessions: Ten swimmers
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Yes. All instructors are DBS-checked, qualified, and many are former competitive swimmers with coaching experience.
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Our bespoke syllabus allows children to progress faster than national schemes. Individual progress depends on lesson type, frequency, and student confidence.
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Yes. Our parent portal allows you to track lesson attendance, progress, and achievements in real time.
Before Your First Lesson
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Children should wear suitable swimwear, a swim hat, and bring a towel. Goggles are optional but recommended for older swimmers. Please ensure long hair is tied back before lessons.
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No. We welcome complete beginners as well as experienced swimmers. We'll assess your child's current ability and recommend the most suitable class.
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Yes. Most of our venues have designated viewing areas where parents can watch lessons while allowing children to remain focused on their instructor.
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Our experienced coaches assess each swimmer based on their confidence, current ability and technique to ensure they're placed in the most appropriate group.
Progression & Learning
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Weekly lessons provide the best balance between consistency and progression. Some swimmers also choose additional private lessons to accelerate their development.
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Yes. Swimmers who demonstrate the required ability can progress into our Pre-Club Bronze, Silver & Gold programme before moving into competitive swimming pathways.
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Yes. Many competitive club swimmers attend our specialist stroke analysis sessions, workshops and technique coaching to complement their regular club training.
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Strong technique creates more efficient swimmers, improves confidence and makes future progression much easier. We believe developing good habits early leads to better long-term results.
Private Lessons
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Private lessons provide personalised coaching tailored to the swimmer's individual needs. Many families choose them to build confidence, improve technique or support faster progression alongside group lessons.
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Yes. Many swimmers attend weekly group lessons and book occasional private sessions to focus on specific skills or overcome particular challenges.
Adult Swimming Lessons
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Absolutely. Many of our adult swimmers begin with little or no confidence in the water. Our experienced instructors create a relaxed, supportive environment where you can progress at your own pace.
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No. Swimming lessons are suitable for a wide range of fitness levels. Your instructor will tailor lessons to your current ability and goals.
Specialist Services
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Stroke analysis is suitable for anyone looking to improve efficiency in the water, from recreational swimmers and triathletes to competitive swimmers seeking marginal performance gains.
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Our specialist workshops are designed for competition swimmers who want to improve advanced skills such as starts, turns, underwater phases and race efficiency.
Safety, Policies & Support
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Yes. Elites Swimming is fully insured and operates under professional teaching standards. All staff are qualified and trained in first aid and water safety.
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Bring:
Swimwear
Towel
Goggles (optional but recommended
Swim cap (required)
For water polo, bring a polo cap if you have one.
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Should your child be ill, have a heavy cold, sinusitis or an ear infection, then we request they do not swim. There will be no refund for sickness.
A doctor’s note will be required if your child is absent from lessons for more than a period of four weeks due to a broken limb, the requirement of an operation or has been given a medical reason as to why they are unable to participate in the remaining lessons.
Subject to the above and a doctor’s note, lessons missed will be carried over to the following month at a rate of 50%
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If we haven’t covered your query, please get in touch. Our friendly team will be happy to help.
