Our Teachers

The GBS Family

Our Reading swimming lessons are delivered by very experienced swimming teachers and instructors and we are all extremely passionate about what we do. We have all known each other for a number of years and like to think of ourselves as a family.

A number of our teachers specialise in other fields which help to enhance our ability to deliver great swimming lessons. We have swimming coaches, fitness instructors, primary and secondary school teachers and an RLSS national trainer assessor.

Some of our teachers have many years experience of working with special needs, and we also have teachers with higher degrees that work in industry.

We are committed to tailoring lessons to the individual needs of each child, even though the lessons are in a group environment. As a team we have a love and passion for swimming. We want the children to enjoy their time in swim school and leave with confidence, technique and the skills to swim well.
We believe our reviews from parents demonstrate we are the best swimming instructors in Reading.

The Experience

Our experience really shines through when you see the high standard of stroke and technique the children develop in our classes. When they are ready, children are given the opportunity to learn all four strokes; front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.
Our instructors teach from the water as well as on poolside allowing them to analyse stroke technique and give immediate feedback.
When you come into our swim school you will also notice a number of water helpers. They are allocated to classes as support allowing the teacher to focus and give time and feedback to every swimmer in the lesson.

Many of our young water helpers learnt to swim with GBS. They understand how we work and are also committed to developing confidence, technique and skill. They are there to help the teacher deliver the best lesson.

Qualifications

All our instructors hold an ASA/Swim England Level 2 Teaching qualification and may also be assisted by an instructor that holds an ASA/Swim England Level 1 Teaching qualification, or other recognised professional teaching qualification. Our instructors also all hold a National Rescue award for swimming teachers and coaches.

We are all confident and comfortable teaching all abilities, and interact well with both swimmers and parents. All our teaching staff have the relevant insurances required, and are DBS checked.

"Sandra runs an extremely professional swim school. She sets extremely high standards and ensures that her meticulous attention to technical detail is adopted by all her teachers.

As result my children now have fantastic swimming technique, are extremely capable swimmers and importantly have enjoyed developing their swimming with GBS.

I recommend GBS swim school without reservation."

- Anne Oke, Secondary PE Teacher

"I have been very impressed with the quality of teaching our sons have received since starting swimming with GBS three months ago. Both boys have shown a noticeable improvement in their stroke techniques and have developed a good rapport with their teachers. I have been especially impressed with Sandra's ability to identify the right class for both of our boys, according to their individual needs, and this helps to ensure that the teaching closely matches what they need to focus on to progress further."

- Hannah Selman, Primary School Teacher

"We were introduced to GBS Swim School via the most reliable network - other Mums! My children were 4 and 6 years old when they started and took quickly to the lessons, moving up through the different stages finishing up at fitness swimming, at the ages of 16 and 14. The only reason we left is because we moved abroad. They are both excellent swimmers, happy, confident and safe in the water and I recommend Sandra and the team at GBS Swim School without hesitation."

- Amy Battle

" This is our second year at GBS. My children are 4 and 7 this spring. They have taken the classes last few terms and I'm amazed at how quickly they've picked up new skills.

The instructors take the time to make the kids comfortable before they start any of the skill work. I think it makes all the difference. So much so that it tempted me and my husband to enroll for Adult classes. My daughter’s teachers are wonderful, Mari my teacher is super awesome. All have been very knowledgeable and professional, and we have seen girls and us having our swimming skills advance tremendously. Everyone is very friendly and you can tell they care about their students. We are happy with all that she’s learning.

Whenever I've emailed with questions, Sandra responds promptly so the customer service element is just one more bonus to an excellent program. I heartily recommend GBS to all of our friends and most have them have started now, so much so like 5-6 families in my circle and they all have same feedback. Thanks for the fantastic program and for the wonderful instructors! "

- Sarika R Gautam