Guidance for parents and guardians
Guidance to parents and guardians of University of Bristol Swim School members, to help children get the best out of their swimming lessons with us.
Arrival at the swimming pool
When you enter the Richmond Building through the main entrance, take the first left through the glass doors and down the stairs. You will see the swimming pool reception desk and the glass windows through to the pool. We ask that all children arrive 'swim ready' as this will speed up the registration process. We also recommend that children bring a set of goggles.
Further information
Find information about the University swimming pool, including changing rooms and locker facilities. The contact details for the Swimming Pool can be found on the Contact Us page or you can speak to a member of staff at the reception desk at the swimming pool. Other useful information can be found on our Swim School webpages.
Handover procedure from parents/guardians to swim teachers
On arrival, children are to queue by the glass door to the swimming pool next to the reception desk. The swim teacher will take a register and allow entry into the swimming pool. After the register is taken by the teacher, children will be asked to shower pool-side before the lesson. The swim teacher will then take the children to the teaching pool (or lane). Latecomers are to be escorted by a staff member to the edge of the pool, notifying the teacher(s).
If a child is under the age of 8 and needs to use the toilet during the lesson, the teacher will ask the parent/guardian to escort the child to the toilet. Children aged 8 and over can use the accessible toilet unaccompanied.
At the end of the lesson, the swim teacher will escort children to the reception doors and hand the children back to the parent/guardian. Children aged 8 and over can come on the poolside unaccompanied. However, we expect a parent/guardian to collect from the pool after the lesson. Children not picked up by parent/guardian will be reported to the Lifeguard team.
Viewing swimming lessons
Parents/guardians are invited to view swimming lessons from the viewing balcony upstairs in the Richmond Building. Parents/guardians are not allowed to sit poolside to watch lessons.
Register on the Home Portal
We encourage all Swim School members to register an account on the HomePortal. You will be able to see information about your child’s class, track their progression and move to a different class when they are ready to do so.
Lesson cancellation
In the event of a Swim School lesson being cancelled, we will contact you ahead of time to inform you. We will then amend your direct debit amount for that month to take the cancellation into account.
Membership
For full information regarding swim membership please view section 1.4 and 1.5 in our Terms and Conditions.
Pool shop
We have a range of swimming-related equipment available from our Swimming Pool reception desk, including goggles, swim hats, swimming pool toys etc. The swimming pool is cashless but payment options include contactless and Apple/Samsung pay.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please email us at seh-swimschool@bristol.ac.uk.