Learn to Swim FAQ’s
Our Swimming Lessons
We operate swim lessons at Arbroath Sports Centre, Brechin Community Campus, Forfar Community Campus, Montrose Sports Centre and Webster’s Sports Centre, Kirriemuir.
We offer early years, pre-school and junior swim lessons, pre school and junior swim lessons are available in all our swimming pools.
Early years starts from 6 months at Arbroath Sports Centre and from 10 months at Forfar Community Campus and Montrose Sports Centre. These run until your child is 47 months old, adult participation is required in all early years classes, with one adult attending per child.
Pre school swim lessons are for children aged 4 who are not yet attending primary school.
Junior swim lessons start aged 5 (or in primary 1), SS1a, SS1b, SS2a, SS2b, SS3 and SS4.
We also have beginner lessons for children aged 8+.
Rookie Lifeguard lessons are available across our sites, for children who are in, or have completed SS3 and above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Children must have a bACTIVE number before they can be added to the waiting list, you can complete the form for this in any of our sports centres, or here . Once your child has a number you can then contact the centre to add them to the waiting list.
There are waiting lists for all swimming lessons, if your child is under 5 (not attending school) they can be added to the waiting list by contacting the pool you wish to attend and asking for the child to be added to the waiting list.
Children who are 5 or are in primary 1 must take part in a swim test, so that they can then be added to the waiting list for their ability. To arrange a swim test, please contact the centre you wish to attend, and they can book your child in.
When adding your child to a waiting list, please let the centre know if there are any days that would not be suitable for you to attend.
Once there is space in your child’s level you will receive an email from learntoswim@angusalive.scot offering the days/times that are available for your child.
We are partnered with Scottish Swimming and so we use the Governing bodies criteria when assessing and placing children in our sessions.
When adding your child to the waiting list, please inform the centre of any medical conditions or additional support needs that your child has.
For children in the early years and pre school programmes they move up lessons according to their age. The learn to swim team will be in touch with you to let you know what class they will be moving to.
Children who are in pre school swim lessons will be offered space in the junior swimming programme once they are 5 or are attending school. The learn to swim team will be in touch with you to arrange a suitable day for your child.
Children in the junior swim programme are assessed continually and once they have met the criteria to move up a level the learn to swim team will be in touch to let you know their next lesson day/time.
If the new day/time that your child has been allocated is not suitable for you, please email learntoswim@angusalive.scot and we will do our best, wherever possible to change this for you.
All of our swim lessons run for 30 minutes.
Please ensure that your child has visited the toilet and showered before entering poolside.
If children have a verruca, they must wear a swim sock.
If your child is unwell please do not bring them to swimming lessons.
If your child has had diarrhoea they should not swim for 14 days.
Girls – one piece swimsuit
Boys – swimming trunks (not baggy shorts)
Long hair must be tied back, or a swimming cap worn
We advise that all children wear goggles which fit well
The Parent Portal is a place for you to see the progress your child is making in their current level.
You can access the parent portal at https://angusalive.legendonlineservices.co.uk/Sports_Centres_RG/account/login
Once on the ANGUSalive page you will need to add your children to your group (if you are not a current member, then your child can be the main member, you do not have to register yourself), using the view my group tab, add existing contact, input membership or barcode number, enter postcode and 1st line of address. Click add participant.
Once completed click the view bookings button, view family bookings, then click on sports courses and click green arrow to view.
There are 4 scores that can be achieved for each of the criteria covered in each level, these are
No attempt – unable or unwell to try task
More practice – attempted skill, but needs more practice at this skill
Good attempt – getting close to performing the skill to the required standard
Complete – always performing the skill at the required standard or better
In certain circumstances for example long term absence from lessons, or a change in confidence in the water, it might be the case that we do have to reduce a child’s score. This is to ensure that your child is always in the correct level for their ability.
In 2026 we are introducing digital certificates, these will be emailed out to parents when children complete SS1b, SS2b, SS3 and SS4.
In 2026 we are introducing digital certificates, these will be emailed out to parents when children complete SS1b, SS2b, SS3 and SS4.
There are three options that can be used.
A Learn to Swim membership that covers one swim lesson per week, and access to general public swim sessions.
A Junior bACTIVE membership that covers one swim lesson per week, access to all pool sessions, junior coaching programme and more.
A bACTIVE add on membership, where the child’s membership is added to a full adult membership, this offers the same access as a junior bACTIVE but at a discounted rate.
If your child has a learn to swim membership you can cancel this by emailing learntoswim@angusalive.scot
If your child has a junior bACTIVE then to cancel this you must email bACTIVE@angusalive.scot
If your child has a bACTIVE add on membership then this is cancelled by completing a form in site to remove the child from the parents membership
Cancellation notice is required, please see your membership terms and conditions.
Speak to the Customer Advisor in site, they can update our system to show any changes. If a change to a current health condition, or new health condition or a new diagnosis occurs then please also email learntoswim@angusalive.scot so we can let the teachers know.
Our swimming teachers are using tablets to take registers and to update swimmers achievements. These devices are completely locked and cannot be used for anything other than their purpose.
If you require a change to your child’s swimming lessons please email learntoswim@angusalive.scot and we will do our best to accommodate your request. Please be aware that it may not always be possible for us to do so.
We want everyone who swims with us to enjoy lessons! If you feel your child is no longer enjoying their sessions, please email learntoswim@angusalive.scot to discuss this.