Swimming - Admission Policy 

On this page: Information about the supervision ratios of young children to ensure their safety when using swimming facilities.

Admission Criteria

The admission criteria detailed below has been developed following advice from several national governing bodies such as The Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM), The Amateur Swimming Association (ASA), The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Swindon Borough Council aims to provide safe and enjoyable swimming facilities for everyone however, these supervision ratios are intended to further safeguard young children.

Supervision Ratios

Under 4 years

• One adult : One child with or without armbands.
• One adult : Two children with armbands.

4 - 7 years

• One adult : two children with or without armbands.

Mixed Ages

• One under 4 and one 4 - 7 year old can swim with one adult if both are in armbands or the older child holds the ISRM award.
• One under 4 and two 4 - 7 year olds can swim with one adult if all are in armbands or both older children hold the ISRM award.

Alternatively, the Swim Admission Guide will show the ratio criteria.

Important Notes

• An adult must be a responsible person, who is at least 16 years of age.
• Non-swimmers wearing armbands or buoyancy jackets (approved to BSI Standard EN 13138) must remain in the shallow end, less than 1.2m deep.
• Under 4 year olds are aged 0 - 3 years.
• These ratio’s apply to the Designated Safe Area (DSA) of each pool. The DSA is deemed to be shallow water less than 1.2m in depth. Clear signage will indicate the DSA and this will be supported by pro-active life guarding. Oasis Leisure Centre will introduce a floating boom across the main pool at 1.2m due to additional leisure pool risks.

The ISRM Award Test

This award should be undertaken without pause or break and the whole test will only take 3 minutes and 10 seconds.

The test includes:

• Jump from the side into water 1.5 metres or more in depth so that the head fully submerges OR where there is only shallow water, hold a submerged mushroom float for 10 seconds.
• Then, tread water for 1 minute.
• Then, swim 50 metres in under 2 minutes.

Your child will be issued with a slip to take to the relevant centre reception. A note stating the award has been gained will be added to your child's SwindonCard if they have one. You will also be able to purchase the ASA/ISRM award card if required.

Sessions to take the award are available at all sites.