Want to know which schools boast the best swimming training programmes, pathways, coaches and facilities? In no particular order, here’s our pick of those that stand out from the crowd.
One of the top three (and some would argue the top two) UK schools for swimming, Mount Kelly in Devon has an elite swim squad of around 180 swimmers aged 9-18 across eight different squads. They train in the 50-metre Olympic-standard pool, regularly competing at both national and international level. In 2023, the school scooped 17 gold medals, 20 silver and nine bronze at the British Summer Championships – and they have produced more than 100 international swimmers over five decades. Swimming scholarships from year 7, and every elite swimmer has their own coach.
Read The Good Schools Guide review of Mount Kelly
World renowned for numerous sports, including swimming, Somerset's Millfield School has a famous 50-metre Olympic swimming pool which, as our reviewer put it, ‘has all the wizardry and coaches associated with training future national champions’. Indeed, the school has produced 30 Olympian swimmers in its relatively short history, including Duncan Goodhew, Mark Foster and, most recently, Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist, James Guy. The six-strong full-time coaching team offer training six days a week, with various pathways, plus swim camps in the school holidays. Scholarships in year 9 and year 12.
Read The Good Schools Guide review of Millfield School
Repton’s swim programme, launched in 2019 and affiliated by Swim England, is unique in that it integrates the local community, allowing for raised competitive standards, team collaboration and maximising opportunities within Derbyshire, the wider region and nationally both at school and club level. Facilities include a six-lane, 25m pool (plus, there’s another in the prep), with swimmers on the performance pathway training up to six days a week under the guidance of experienced coaches (five plus director of swimming). Aside from current pupil Eva Okaro’s inclusion in the 2024 Olympic swimming team, recent achievements include a record medal haul at the English Schools National Championships and a recent fourth place at the Arena League National Cup Final. Scholarships at 13+ and 16+.
Read The Good Schools Guide review of Repton School
This school delivers an internationally acclaimed high performance swimming programme under the leadership of ex-Olympian, Roberto Pavoni, with wraparound pastoral care and all the strength and conditioning, nutritionists, physiotherapists and mentors you could shake a stick at. Not to mention access to their recently refurbished 25m on-site pool and 50m pool at Plymouth’s Life Centre. Parents told us of the ‘unrivalled warm and personal support from peers, teachers, trainers and boarding house staff’ which had enabled their children to find the rigorous training manageable. The school, which has had 117 swimmers representing their countries since 2000, works in partnership with Plymouth Leander, one of the UK’s leading swimming clubs. Alumni include 2024 Olympic swimmers Honey Osrin, Laura Stephens and silver medallist Ben Proud as well as two Team GB Modern Pentalthletes, Myles Pillage and Kerenza Bryson.
Read The Good Schools Guide review of Plymouth College
In 2019, this independent girls’ boarding school in Bournemouth opened an elite swimming academy in conjunction with Poole Swimming Club, enabling pupils from across the UK and beyond to train at the highest level while getting a great education. The school is well on the way to producing champions at national and international level - in 2022, the U13 became the World School Champions. Heated 25m pool has starting blocks and anti-wave lane ropes. Head coach (international experience and duties for GB and England) plus strength and conditioning coach (with dedicated gym). Swimming scholarships from year 7.
Read The Good Schools Guide review of Talbot Heath School
One of the leading schools in the country for sport, Whitgift in south London runs a swimming programme (affiliated to Swim England since 2022) offering training at the school’s eight lane, 25m pool, with variable depth and overlapping side system (to prevent bounce-back of backwash). Every boy swims, from first timers to those competing at club, regional and national level. The latter have 14 hours of training available per week. Students can participate in ESSA Team Championships, World Schools Games Swimming Championships, ESSA Individual Championships and the National Arena League. In 2023, the school swimming club had their first U17 British champion in 100m breaststroke. Swimming ex-pupils include two time Olympic pentathlete (and Tokyo games gold medallist) Joe Choong.
Read The Good Schools Guide review of Whitgift School
Other standout schools for keen swimmers include Caterham School, Dr Challoner's Grammar School, Lady Eleanor Holles School, St George’s Ascot, Sevenoaks School and Strathallan School.
Image credit: Plymouth College
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