Welcome to PCS Training – the trusted choice for children’s swimming lessons in Washington, Tyne & Wear. We specialise in providing high-quality, engaging, and supportive swimming lessons for children of all abilities.
Our small class sizes mean every child receives individual attention, allowing them to build water confidence and progress at their own pace. Whether your child is a complete beginner or looking to refine their technique, our experienced and friendly teachers create a calm and encouraging environment where they can thrive.
We believe swimming is a life skill that every child should have. Beyond technique, our lessons focus on safety, coordination, and developing a lifelong love for the water. Each class is designed to be fun, structured, and meet the needs of each swimmer, helping them grow both in and out of the pool.
Our facilities in Washington are clean, warm, and family-friendly, making the experience enjoyable for both children and parents. We offer flexible lesson times after school and on weekends to fit around busy family schedules.
If you’re looking for a swimming school where your child will be seen, supported, and celebrated, PCS Training is here to help.
Secure your place today and join hundreds of families across Washington and Tyne & Wear who trust us to teach their children how to swim safely and confidently.
PCS Training proudly offers a unique learn-to-swim programme that guides your child on a comprehensive aquatic journey, with water safety at its core. Starting with the fundamentals, progressing through essential skills, and advancing to refined stroke techniques, our approach ensures well-rounded development. Our classes are consistently 25-50% smaller than Swim England’s recommended sizes, providing personalised teaching tailored to each child’s needs. Since our founding in 2010, our commitment to high standards has earned us a strong reputation within the local community.
At PCS Training, we offer swimming lessons with a personal touch. You can always reach out to us for information, support, and advice. We provide end-of-course assessments to track your child’s progress, which are accessible through your online portal. This transparency allows you to clearly see how your child is advancing and identify any areas where they may need extra support to achieve their stage goals.
We took our 4 year old daughter to her first ever swimming lesson yesterday. She was upset and not keen to join in and get in the water, hanging onto daddy’s legs. Keith’s patience and understanding were fantastic. Allowing my daughter to settle with no pressure. Within 10 minutes she was in the water and having a great time, ready to start learning!
Keith, we cannot thank you enough for giving our daughter her water confidence back. 3rd lesson and she’s swimming without armbands and underwater! She’s clearly comfortable with you which is a credit to your brilliant and patient teaching. Thank you so much, we’re simply amazed at her progress and so very grateful.
Keith is the best swimming teacher any child could have. He has taught both my girls from arm bands to 2-mile swimming badge. They both think the world of him.
Thank you for today Jacob said it was the best part of his day, which I wasn’t expecting.
We changed our little girl’s lessons recently and couldn’t be happier! Due to an incident which occurred at her last swimming lessons at a different local venue Isobel would not even get in the car if she thought it was swimming lessons. It was a cause of much anxiety for her and after much deliberation, we decided to change venues! Keith and staff came highly recommended and tbh I couldn’t be happier! Isobel was in the pool after 20 minutes laughing and smiling something she has not done for over 3 months!!! Thanks so much, this could have gone one way or the other and with a little bit of time and praise, she is now excited for her next swimming lesson!! Thank you again!
I’ve known you now for over 15 years. You taught Malcolm and did wonders for him and now you teach my youngest. You literally saved Lewis life by your quick thinking and diving in just at the right time. You’ve since built Lewis confidence back up. You have always been approachable and I know if I have any concerns you would help.
With Keith’s incredible approach to coaching, my son has achieved amazing results. In a matter of 7 months, he has gone from never having had any training to reaching Stage 4. He has been taught excellent technique and has such confidence, strength and stamina now as a result of PCS Training. Getting a place with this swim school to gain this valuable life skill is one of the best things I’ve ever done for my little boy. Many many thanks
Tonight I’m truly thankful for swimming instructors and lessons, and still shaking now. Never I’m my life do I want to watch what I did tonight but thanks to Keith quick thinking and diving in Lewis is fine; words really don’t seem enough to thank him but I truly am grateful and proves what an amazing instructor he is. Lewis is oblivious to it now which again is thanks to Keith for keeping him in water and reassuring him, he is still finding the burping side funny. Really is scary how quickly things can change. I call swimming lessons each Friday and Sunday but tonight has reinforced why kids do need them.
My son attends classes with PCS Training and his swimming/water confidence is forever improving. The team are very supportive, approachable and caring. We have my daughter on the waiting list and she’s not even one!
Finn has come on so much since he started his lessons with you. Brilliant teacher.
“We strive to provide you with the highest quality service that is honest, committed and has your needs at the heart of it.”
To provide effective and efficient teaching and training to the local community;
To ensure the needs of the customer are prioritized;
To offer personal development for people of all ages, through training and volunteering with us.
We are a passionate team who all share a clear common purpose. Our values are:
Happiness – We want customers to come back, and if you have a positive experience we know you will return.
Excellence – Our personal and professional reputations are built on the excellence of our work.
Affordability – We aim to provide the very best service for you at a competitive price.
Respect – Our customers are loyal to us; we know this is because of the respect we show our customers.
Teaching/Training – We are eager to teach and share our expertise with others.
Staff – Our staff all share the same values in how we deliver our training and in our beliefs and morals.
This course is aimed at year 10 learners who have an interest in teaching swimming, learning about first aid or becoming a pool lifeguard. The qualifications are entry level and will provide learners with the opportunity to be trained in pool rescue skills, basic first aid and assisting with swimming teaching. Those completing their Duke of Edinburgh award can also use work experience as their skill element when assisting with swimming lessons.
Saftey Award for Teachers
Community First Aid
Student Teacher Certificate
Assessments will vary depending on qualifications but will consist of:
Download the course information here
This course is aimed at year 11 learners who would like to start a career in the leisure industry. These nationally recognised qualifications provide learners with the opportunity to qualify as a Swimming Teacher and Pool Lifeguard with a first aid qualification as well as their own personal insurance.
NPLQ
EFAW
EFAW
Assessments will vary depending on qualifications but will consist of:
Download the course information here
Please note not all classes are available at every location.
Introduction to swimming through small classes and games for a fun happy learning experience with small classes. These classes are for children aged 3 or those who are extremely nervous in the water.
Gaining water confidence through fun activities and starting their aquatic journey towards learning to swim. These classes are for children aged 4 or who are very timid in the water.
Improving water confidence including submerging. Developing floating and kicking on front and back and introducing push and glides front and back. These lessons are for children who are non-swimmers and 5+.
Introducing lateral breathing and arm action for front crawl and back crawl. Discovering various methods of rotation. Swimming front crawl and back crawl for 5m.
Improves front crawl and back crawl technique as well as increasing stamina to 10m. Develops push & glides. Introduces basic water safety.
Introduces breaststroke kick, butterfly kick and sculling. Further develops front and back crawl kicking. Integrates rotation with swimming and push & glides.
Develops sculling as well as improving front and back crawl strokes and stamina. Introducing breaststroke and butterfly arm action. Covers effects of cold water and introduces advanced water skills.
Develop and improve stamina for all strokes. Introduce water rescue skills & personal safety and introduce basic first aid skills.
Introduce advanced stroke technique and improve stamina for all strokes. Further develops water rescue skills & personal safety to include basic first aid skills including recover position, treatment for choking and bleeding.
Our popular multi-skills class is designed to introduce rookie lifeguard skills, develop personal survival, improve distance and speed swimming and develop advanced stroke technique.
Our accredited mermaid classes are taught by an RLSS approved teacher with specialist training to ensure your child’s safety while they experience their dream of being a mermaid.
The Highfield Level 3 Award in Education and Training has been designed to provide an introduction to teaching for individuals who would like to work or currently work within further education colleges, Independent Training Providers and/or Local Authorities.
Ofqual
Qualification Number: 601/1636/5
Title: Level 3 Award in Education and Training (QCF)
Credit Value: 12 Credits
The total qualification time is 120 hours
Download the full course specification here
This is the most widely recognised lifeguard qualification available in the UK. The qualification allows you to provide lifeguard cover in a pool environment during programmed and non-programmed activities.
Ofqual
Qualification Number: 600/7437/1
Title: IQL – Level 2 Award in Pool Life Guarding, Intervention, Supervision and Rescue (RQF)
Credit Value: 6 Credits
This qualification is valid for 2 years.
We can also provide STA and Highfield lifeguard training and assessments.
Download the full course specification here
The NRASTC is a supervision and rescue qualification for teachers working on the
poolside or in the water during programmed activities, such as a swimming lesson. It is
suitable for teachers working in a wide range of swimming pools, including pools where
the water is deeper than the teacher’s standing depth.
RLSS
Qualification Number: N/A
Title:National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches
Credit Value: N/A
First Aid Industry Body (optional)
Qualification Number: LF-EFAW-L2
Title: Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)
Credit Value: N/A
This qualification is valid for 2 years.
NRASTC only
NRASTC & EFAW
Download the full course specification here
The ATSPRA is a supervision and rescue qualification for therapists, teachers and support staff working on the poolside or in the water during activities. The qualification is suitable for use in shallow pools where the rescuer will not be required to swim to perform a rescue, with water no deeper than the rescuers chest depth.
RLSS
Qualification Number: N/A
Title: Aquatic Therapy Shallow Pool Rescue Award
Credit Value: N/A
First Aid Industry Body (optional)
Qualification Number: LF-EFAW-L2
Title: Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)
Credit Value: N/A
This qualification is valid for 2 years.
ATSPRA only
ATSPRA & EFAW
Download the full course specification here
The qualification is designed for learners such as parents and relatives, pre-school or nursery staff, toddler group volunteers, childminders and nannies, au pairs and foster parents, or those responsible for caring for infants and children who are not required to have an Ofsted/EYFS qualification, but want to learn about emergency paediatric first aid.
First Aid Industry Body
Qualification Number: LF-EPFA-L2
Title: Emergency Paediatric First Aid
Credit Value: N/A
This qualification is valid for 3 years.
A competency-based assessment is carried out by the nominated tutor.
Download the full course specification here
This qualification is designed for those learners wishing to become a paediatric first aider in the workplace with a responsibility for the welfare of infants and children. This qualification is intended for learners already working or preparing to work in industry. This qualification meets the requirements for Paediatric First Aid outlined in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2014.
First Aid Industry Body
Qualification Number: LF-PFA-L3
Title: Paediatric First Aid
Credit Value: N/A
This qualification is valid for 3 years.
A competency-based assessment is carried out by the nominated tutor.
Download the full course specification here
This qualification is designed for those learners wishing to gain a nationally recognised qualification in first aid and become emergency first aiders in their workplace. This qualification meets the requirements for training emergency first-aiders in those organisations that have identified that staff need to be trained to this level within their first-aid needs assessment.
First Aid Industry Body
Qualification Number: LF-EFAW-L2
Title: Emergency First Aid at Work
Credit Value: N/A
This qualification is valid for 3 years.
A competency-based assessment is carried out by the nominated tutor.
Download the full course specification here
This qualification is designed for those learners wishing to gain a nationally recognised qualification in first aid and become a first aider in their workplace. This qualification meets the requirements for training first-aiders in those organisations that have identified that staff need to be trained to this level within their first-aid needs assessment
First Aid Industry Body
Qualification Number: LF-FAW-L3
Title: First Aid at Work
Credit Value: N/A
This qualification is valid for 3 years.
Re-qualification only
A competency-based assessment is carried out by the nominated tutor.
Download the full course specification here
The workshop is designed for learners such as parents and relatives or those responsible for caring for children. The workshop provides information on how to save your child’s life in an emergency situation.
Qualification Number: N/A
Title: Save a Child’s life workshop
Credit Value: N/A
This qualification is valid for 3 years.
Download the full course specification here
Please complete this form.
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Who is this for?
The transfer request procedure applies to any existing customers who wish to move their child to another lesson in the same stage but to a different day or time.
How is a transfer request made?
Customers are required to complete a transfer request form (overleaf) indicating their preferred day, time and stage then place he form in the transfer request box to be processed. Lesson information can be found on the timetable via the PCS Training app.
There are no set time scales for an offer to be made, duration depends on your preferences and the availability of your choices with regards to PCS Training’s swimming lesson programme. The more preferences you provide, the easier it will be to find a place in another class.
Once offered a place, you have 48 hours to respond and accept your booking from the date of the offer. The transfer request system is live so the sooner you secure your place the better as internal movement might occur in the meantime. It is not always guaranteed that the place we have offered you will be available after 48 hours.
We have a great pool for teaching swimming. It was designed with teaching in mind so it has a constant depth of 0.9m which allows most children to quickly gain confidence and learn water skills while the more advanced swimmers can be stopped and corrected at any time to improve strokework.
We have excellent water quality which is constantly monitored to keep it warm, safe and clean for your children. Our latest water quality check stated that our water was “being managed to a high standard”.
We have an excellent assortment of teaching and play equipment at our teachers fingertips. These are all used through your childs aquatic journey to enhance their experience.
We provide refreshments for parents and children alike. Parents can take the weight of and enjoy a refreshing hot or chilld drink along with a variety of snacks. We have various options for children to replenish their energy after their lesson with fruit juice and fruit or a healthy snack, or for a treat a chocolate bar or a dip in the 25p tub.
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“We strive to provide you with the highest quality service that is honest, committed and has your needs at the heart of it.”
To provide effective and efficient teaching and training to the local community;
To ensure the needs of the customer are prioritized;
To offer personal development for people of all ages, through training and volunteering with us.
We are a group of passionate individuals who all share a clear common purpose. Our values are:
Happiness – We want customers to come back, and if you have a positive experience we know you will return.
Excellence – Our personal and professional reputations are built on the excellence of our work.
Affordability – We aim to provide the very best service for you at a competitive price.
Respect – Our customers are loyal to us; we know this is because of the respect we show our customers.
Teaching/Training – We are eager to teach and share our expertise with others.
Staff – Our staff all share the same values in how we deliver our training and in our beliefs and morals.
Please complete the form fully to be placed onto the waiting list.. . .
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We are a small business offering personal, professional swimming lessons. With over 15 years teaching experience. We pride ourselves on the exceptionally high standards of teaching we provide which has gained us our outstanding reputation. Unlike large corporations we offer a personal touch to our lessons where you can contact the teacher and receive feedback about your child’s progress.
We are a small business offering personal, professional swimming lessons. With over 15 years teaching experience. We pride ourselves on the exceptionally high standards of teaching we provide which has gained us our outstanding reputation. Unlike large corporations we offer a personal touch to our lessons where you can contact the teacher and receive feedback about your child’s progress.