Swimming
Features
Our swimming pool is a 25m x 8.5m four lane heated indoor facility with a depth range of 0.9m to 2.6m. The pool temperature is maintained at a comfortable 29 degrees all year round.
Lower School Swimming
Pupils in the Lower School have swimming lessons all the way through to Year 6.
Year 3 to Year 6 currently swim once a week. There are two instructors therefore classes are divided into two ability groups. Our focus is on developing the key swimming fundamentals, stamina, stroke- technique and swim skills. We have our own Swimming Programme at OLA, which goes from Platform 1 to platinum across 9 awards.
Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 children also have the opportunity to join a lunch time swimming club on a Monday or Tuesday. This term the clubs are practicing for Gala’s and skills.
There is an annual Lower School Inter-House swimming competition for Years 3–6 and the emphasis is on each child being given the opportunity to swim for their House, with events created to suit all abilities.
Senior School Swimming
Pupils have one timetabled lesson per week. Girls are timetabled swimming for one half of a term and boys for the other half of a term. However, the school offers a series of swimming clubs so that pupils can swim all year.
Swimming lessons focus on stroke technique, stamina and general water skills as well as swim fitness. We also offer an introduction to Water Polo and Lifesaving.
Senior School Swimming Clubs
Tuesday
07.00–07.45 Early Morning Training – Years 9 to 13.
Wednesday
07.00-07.45 Early morning training – Years 7 and 8.
12.30-13.15 Water Polo
Thursday
16.00–16.45 Fun Club
There is an annual Inter-House swimming competition and a series of inter school swimming competitions held throughout the school year.
Community Swimming
The OLA swimming facility is extensively used by external clubs, offering lessons for swimming Monday to Saturday. These clubs are run by Swim Clinic, Abingdon Dolphins and Swimming Club and should be booked directly with each club via their websites.
Holiday Courses
During the Easter and Summer holidays OLA provides swimming courses for pupils of OLA. These include Intensive Lessons, Rookie Lifeguarding Courses and Swim Fit Sessions. Dates and times are communicated via the school newsletter.