Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Swimming Lessons for All Ages in St Albans & Barnet
Established in 1975 by Marianne Davies, a former competitive swimmer and PE teacher, The Dolphin Swimming School has been delivering high-quality swimming instruction for over four decades. Our family-run business operates across three premium venues in St Albans and Barnet, offering structured lessons for infants, children, and adults. With a team of DBS-checked, Swim England-qualified instructors, we maintain a 30-minute session format alongside a rolling curriculum that allows swimmers to join at any point in the term. Our programme includes parent-and-baby classes, group lessons with a low teacher-to-pupil ratio, and advanced stroke development for competitive swimmers. Recognised as the Best Independent Swim School in Great Britain, we combine ongoing assessments with a supportive environment to ensure swimmers progress at their own pace.Our facilities accommodate concurrent lessons for multiple ability levels, enabling families with children at different stages to attend simultaneously. We maintain rigorous safety standards, including lifeguard-qualified staff during group sessions and a dedicated swimming coordinator at every session. Our alumni include county-level competitors, testament to our focus on technical excellence and water safety. With over 45 years of continuous operation, we remain committed to nurturing confident swimmers through evidence-based teaching methods validated by scientific research on aquatic development.
Services
Swimming Lessons
Parent & Toddler Classes
Intensive Crash Courses
1-2-1 Private Lessons
Adult Swimming
Swim England Stages
Competitive Stroke Development
Rookie Lifesaving
Single-Sex Classes
Water Safety Training
Details
- Year established: 1975
Highlights and features
- Established in 1975 with a proven track record in swimming instruction
- Small class sizes ensure personalized attention and faster progress
- All instructors are DBS-checked and Swim England qualified
- Award-winning service recognised as Best Independent Swim School in Great Britain
- Three convenient locations in St Albans and Barnet with flexible scheduling
Associations and certifications
- Swim England
What people say
Passionate instructors inspiring children
Small class sizes effective
Children progress to confident swimmers
Sociable learning environment
Excellent value for money
Services
Swimming Lessons for Children
Structured swimming instruction for children aged 3+ across seven progressive stages aligned with Swim England standards. Our small class sizes ensure individual attention while maintaining safety and technical accuracy. Lessons incorporate ongoing assessments to ensure swimmers advance at their own pace.
Parent & Toddler Classes
Specialist water familiarisation sessions for infants aged 6 weeks to 5 years. These classes use scientific principles of bilateral movement to develop physical coordination and water confidence through play-based learning with parental participation in heated pools.
Intensive Crash Courses
Five-day immersion programmes during school holidays focusing on rapid skill acquisition. Designed for nervous swimmers or those needing extra support, these daily 30-minute sessions reinforce water safety and technique through concentrated practice in a supportive environment.
1-2-1 Private Lessons
Personalised swimming instruction tailored to individual needs, particularly beneficial for overcoming aquaphobia or addressing specific learning challenges. These dedicated sessions allow focused attention to accelerate progress from beginner to advanced levels with customised lesson plans.
Adult Swimming Lessons
Confidence-building water sessions for adults aged 13+, including women-only classes. Our experienced instructors adapt techniques to accommodate varying ability levels, focusing on stroke development, endurance, and water safety in a non-pressured learning environment.
People
Marianne Davies
Founder
Established The Dolphin Swimming School in 1975 after a competitive swimming career and teaching background. Continues to oversee operations and instructor training while maintaining child protection standards across all venues.
Questions
What age groups do you teach?
We accept children from 6 weeks in parent-and-toddler classes, with structured lessons for ages 3+ and adult sessions for ages 13+.
Are your instructors qualified?
All our teachers hold Swim England qualifications with current DBS checks. Lifeguard-qualified staff supervise group sessions.
Can I join mid-term?
Yes, our rolling curriculum allows entry at any point, though late bookings receive pro-rated pricing for missed lessons.
What facilities do you offer?
Three premium venues in St Albans and Barnet with heated pools, changing facilities, and dedicated swimming coordinators at every session.
Do you offer make-up lessons?
No refunds or make-up sessions for missed lessons, but our crash courses provide intensive alternatives during school holidays.
What awards have you won?
Recognised as Best Independent Swim School of Great Britain multiple times for our teaching excellence and pupil achievements.
