ABOUT US
A Family-Run Swim School That Puts Children First
Best Stroke is a small, family-run swim school created by Julie and David with one clear aim: to give children the best possible start in the water. Julie teaches alongside a close-knit team of well-trained, highly experienced instructors who work together to deliver structured, engaging lessons rooted in the Swim England Learn to Swim framework.
With a strong emphasis on communication, planning and consistency, the team ensures every child receives focused guidance and a positive learning experience. Best Stroke keeps lessons accessible by maintaining fair pricing and a friendly, inclusive environment where children feel supported, encouraged and excited to learn.
Why Choose Us
The Best Stroke Way
At Best Stroke, we believe every child deserves lessons that are structured, supportive and genuinely enjoyable. The Best Stroke Way is built around small class sizes, consistent teaching and a calm, engaging learning environment where children feel confident to try, progress and succeed.
Our instructors work closely together to plan lessons, track progress and ensure every swimmer receives focused guidance. Teachers are in the water when needed and coach from poolside when stroke development is the priority, giving children the perfect balance of support and technique-focused instruction. With clear communication, fair pricing and a strong commitment to safety, we make learning to swim a positive experience for every child.
What We Teach
From Water Confidence to Lifesaving Skills
Best Stroke teaches a full range of children’s swimming lessons, from early water confidence through to strong stroke technique and junior lifesaving skills. Our programmes follow the Swim England Learn to Swim framework and the RLSS Rookie Lifeguard Scheme, giving children a clear pathway from their first splash to advanced aquatic ability. By the end of their journey, swimmers are equipped to move confidently into aquatic sports such as competitive swimming, diving, artistic swimming, water polo or lifesaving sport.
Children’s Lessons
Our children’s lessons focus on confidence, technique and fun. With small groups and supportive instructors, swimmers learn essential skills—from early stages through to stroke development and advanced aquatic movement. Lessons are suitable for children aged 3+, and are taught by Swim England Level Two qualified instructors who ensure every swimmer progresses safely and confidently.
Rookie Lifeguarding
The RLSS Rookie Lifeguard Programme is an exciting next step for children aged 8–12+. It builds essential water safety knowledge and teaches rescue skills, CPR and lifesaving techniques, while continuing to develop strong stroke technique. Sessions are delivered by experienced Swim England Level Two instructors who hold recognised lifesaving qualifications, ensuring children receive expert guidance in a safe, structured and engaging environment.
The Swim England Learn to Swim Awards
Best Stroke follows the Swim England Learn to Swim framework, a nationally recognised programme that helps children build water confidence, develop strong swimming skills and learn essential water safety techniques. The award scheme provides a clear, structured pathway from early water introduction through to confident, capable swimmers who are ready to explore a range of aquatic sports.
Duckling Awards (Under 5s)
Introduction to Swimming
These early-years awards help young children build water confidence, balance and basic movement skills through fun, playful activities. They learn to enter the water safely, float with support and begin developing early swimming movements.
Stage 1
Water Confidence & Basics
Children learn the fundamentals: correct body position, moving confidently through the water, safe entries and understanding pool rules. The focus is water confidence and getting comfortable in lessons.
Stage 2
Early Independence in the Water
Swimmers begin to move independently without aids, practise kicking techniques, learn early breathing skills and develop balance and rotation. They also build confidence jumping into the pool.
Stage 3
Building Skills & Water Safety
Skills progress to increased independence: submerging, swimming further without aids, rotations, jumping into deeper water and early stroke development. Water safety knowledge becomes a central part of the stage.
Stage 4
Introducing All Four Strokes
Children learn all four strokes — front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly — to basic standards. They also develop streamlined positions, floating skills, early diving movements and sculling techniques.
Stage 5
Stroke Development & Control
Stroke technique is refined across all four strokes, with greater emphasis on efficiency and accuracy. Children begin early competitive skills, explore water entries, and practise artistic swimming and water polo-inspired movements.
sTAGE 6
Technique, Timing & Lifesaving Skills
Breathing, timing and coordination across all four strokes are strengthened. Children learn underwater phases of starts and turns, practise more advanced surface dives and are introduced to safe rescue principles.
sTAGE 7
Ready for Advanced Aquatics
This final core stage combines all key skills and prepares swimmers for progression into specialised aquatic pathways such as competitive swimming, diving, artistic swimming, water polo or lifesaving sport.
Water Safety code
Understanding Risks & Staying Safe
Water safety is an important part of every stage. Children learn how to stay safe around cold water, practise sculling and treading water, understand survival techniques, and learn why swimming in supervised areas with qualified lifeguards is essential.
Whatever stage your child is starting from, Best Stroke offers clear progression, supportive teaching and lessons designed to help them thrive in the water. With small groups, experienced instructors and a structured learning pathway, we make it easy for children to build confidence, develop strong swimming skills and enjoy every step of their journey.
Looking for Adult Swimming Lessons?
Best Stroke specialises exclusively in children’s swimming lessons. If you’re an adult looking to build confidence or improve your swimming technique or you are looking for lessons for an older child, we recommend Aqua Confidence — a dedicated older children and adult swim school run by Julie’s sister, Sally. Visit Aqua Confidence to find supportive, tailored lessons designed specifically for adults.
Where we Teach
Children’s Swim Lessons at Bradford Grammar School
Best Stroke teaches all lessons at Bradford Grammar School’s excellent swimming facilities, providing a clean, well-maintained pool and welcoming environment ideal for children’s learning. The calm, structured setting allows our instructors to deliver focused, confidence-building lessons where every swimmer feels supported and safe.
We run a variety of children’s swimming sessions throughout the week — here’s our current timetable:
Tuesday
4:15 pm to 6:45 pm
Saturday
9:15 am to 2:45 pm