Swimming Lessons at The Mount School, York
Taught the Champion Way - Triple Olympic Gold Medalist MBE
Build confidence, technique and water safety skills with structured swimming lessons at our York venue. Delivered by experienced teachers at The Mount School, our lessons support children of all abilities with clear progression tracked through our home portal.
Pool & Facilities at The Mount School, York
Over 300 members already trust our York swimming programme. Located within the grounds of The Mount School York, our swimming pool is a convenient location for swimming lessons in the local York area.
Who is Tom Dean?
Tom Dean is a triple Olympic gold medallist, winning gold at Tokyo 2020 and Paris
2024 and one of Britain's most decorated swimmers.
You may also know him from Strictly Come Dancing 2024.
Beyond the medals, Tom built this school because he believes every child deserves expert, fun, water-safe swimming lessons.
Access to great teaching should not depend on where you live. In 2025, Tom Dean
Swim School partnered with the Prince and Princess of Wales's Royal Foundation to
provide subsidised lessons to 1,000 young people across the UK.
Every lesson wherever it is follows the Five Rings of Success programme Tom developed
himself. The same coaching philosophy that shaped him from a beginner to an
Olympic champion. Now here in Maidenhead, for your child.
Holiday Crash Courses
Monday 27th July - Friday 31st July Monday 3rd August - Friday 7th August Monday 10th August - Friday 14th August
4 years + lessons
Stage 1: Non swimmer
This lesson will include:
Moving forwards and backwards through the water for a distance of 5 metres. Blowing bubbles with face in the water, regaining an upright position from the front and the back. Moving into a stretched floating position using aids or support.
Stage 2: Push and glide from the wall on both front and back breathing normally (attempting to turn on the side) and back for 5 metres. Rotate from front to back and back to front, regaining a standing position.
Stage 3: Push and glide on both front and back into a log roll. Travel on front and rotate on to back. Swim 10 metres on both front and back (turning to the side to breath) breathing normally. Demonstrate breaststroke arms and legs. Fully submerge to pick up an object.
Stage 4: Push and glide from wall to the pool floor. 10 metres front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly legs, attempting arms. Head first sculling action for 5 metres in a horizontal position. Perform a sequence of floating positions.
Stage 5: Performing a sculling action for 5 metres whilst horizontal on back and a 5 metre feet first scull. Tread water for 30 seconds. Swim a competent front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly for 10 metres. Perform a somersault and handstand.
Please reach us at york@tomdeanswimschool.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
What ability is my child?
Adult & Child Classes
Discovery Ducklings 1 - Adult required in the water
Introduces your baby into water and will encourage early confidence with the use of nursery rhymes and special teaching practices.
Adult & Child Classes
Discovery Ducklings 2 - Adult required in the water
Developing skills and building confidence already introduced in Discovery Ducklings 1. Children will be at ease with having their face splashed with water and travel through the water on their front and backs with support techniques by the adult.
Adult & Child Classes
Discovery Ducklings 3 - Adult required in the water
Children will be working towards swimming with buoyancy aids but without support from the adult. Happy to get their faces and heads wet and be happy to be submerged under the water. They will work towards being able to jump with support from the adult.
Pre-school Lessons
Ducklings lessons - Adult NOT required in the water
Ducklings 1 : Unconfident non swimmer
Ducklings 2: Confident Non Swimmer - Kicking with a float on front, face in the water an answer to this item.
Ducklings 3: Swimmer -
Can swim up to 3 metres on front
Ducklings 4: Confident Swimmer -
Can swim over 3 metres on front and back.
Stage 1: Non swimmer
This lesson will include:
Moving forwards and backwards through the water for a distance of 5 metres. Blowing bubbles with face in the water, regaining an upright position from the front and the back. Moving into a stretched floating position using aids or support.
To book swimmers must have achieved:
Stage 2: Push and glide from the wall on both front and back breathing normally (attempting to turn on the side) and back for 5 metres. Rotate from front to back and back to front, regaining a standing position.
Stage 3: Push and glide on both front and back into a log roll. Travel on front and rotate on to back. Swim 10 metres on both front and back (turning to the side to breath) breathing normally. Demonstrate breaststroke arms and legs. Fully submerge to pick up an object.
Stage 4: Push and glide from wall to the pool floor. 10 metres front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly legs, attempting arms. Perform a sequence of floating positions.
Stage 5: Performing a sculling action for 5 metres whilst horizontal on back and a 5 metre feet first scull. Tread water for 30 seconds. Swim a competent front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly for 10 metres. Perform a somersault and handstand.
Stage 6: Sink, push off the side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into both front crawl and breaststroke. Swim 10 metres with clothes on. 25 metres front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly, all with rhythmical breathing. Perform a surface dive.
Stage 7: Swim 25 metres for all 4 strokes. Swim 50 metres continuously using 1 stroke and 10 metres using 3 different strokes. Forward and backward somersault. Log roll, head first and feet first sculling. Various floating and sinking skills.
To book swimmers must have achieved Stage 7 before booking on to these Stages.
Stage 8: Swim 400 metres continuously using one stroke
using all competitive laws
Stage 9: Swim 800 metres continuously using one stroke using all competitive laws
Stage 10: Swim 1500 metres continuously using one stroke using all competitive laws
Adults 16 years +
Non Swimmers - Be water confident:
Beginners - Be a swimmer
Improvers - Be a better swimmer:
Advanced - Be a master swimmer
Important information
Please reach us at york@tomdeanswimschool.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
50 WEEKS
Monday 5th January 2025 - Sunday 20th December 2026
Please reach us at york@tomdeanswimschool.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
If there is no class availability for a class you are interested in please contact us to be placed on a waitlist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read Tom Dean Swim School FAQs covering children’s swimwear, swimming hats, swim nappies, poolside rules, changing rooms and parent guidance before your child’s swimming lesson.
Please reach us at york@tomdeanswimschool.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Yes. All children over the age of three are required to wear a swimming hat during their Tom Dean Swim School lesson. Swimming hats help keep hair secure, support good pool hygiene and make it easier for our swimming teachers to see each child clearly in the water.
Yes. All children under the age of three must wear a suitable swim nappy for their lesson. This helps keep the pool clean, safe and hygienic for all babies, toddlers, children, parents and teachers taking part in swimming lessons.
Yes. Parents and guardians must remain inside the building while their child is taking part in their swimming lesson. This ensures a responsible adult is nearby at all times should the child need support before, during or after their Tom Dean Swim School class.
No. Parents, guardians and spectators are not allowed on the poolside during swimming lessons. This helps create a safe, calm and focused learning environment for children and allows our swimming teachers to deliver lessons without distraction.
The changing rooms are situated next to the main pool. Please allow enough time before your child’s swimming lesson to get changed, use the facilities and arrive ready for the start of class.
No. Please do not leave clothes, bags or personal belongings unattended at any time. Parents and guardians are responsible for keeping their child’s belongings safe while attending Tom Dean Swim School swimming lessons.
No. For privacy and safeguarding reasons, children must not be changed on the side of the pool or in a public walkway. Please use the changing rooms provided before and after your child’s swimming lesson.
Children must wear correct and suitable swimwear for their swimming lesson. Board shorts or shorts below the knees are not acceptable, as they can restrict movement and make swimming more difficult. Fitted swimming costumes, trunks, jammers or appropriate lesson swimwear are recommended to help children move comfortably and safely in the water.
Children under the age of eight must use the changing room appropriate to the adult accompanying them. For example, if a five-year-old girl is brought to swimming lessons by a male adult, they must use the male changing rooms. This helps keep changing room use clear, safe and practical for all families attending Tom Dean Swim School lessons.
Dive into the Reviews
Leave us a review
Love your lessons?
We’re proud to help children build confidence in the water. If you’ve had a great experience with Tom Dean Swim School, we’d love for you to share it with a Google review.
Contact Us
We are always happy to help!
We love our customers if you have any issues or need to speak to one of the team please do not hesitate to contact us!
Tom Dean Swim School - The Mount School, York
The Mount School York, Dalton Terrace, York YO24 4DD, UK