Sevenoaks Leisure Centre (SLC) hosted a family fun afternoon earlier this month to mark the launch of becoming a STA Swim Academy.

The newly branded STA Sencio Swim Academy held the open afternoon on Saturday March 8th, which featured a series of free taster sessions in which people had the chance to see how professional swimming teaching can help improve their confidence, safety and fitness.

Jane Parish, Chief Executive of Sencio Community Leisure (the not-for-profit leisure trust that operates Sevenoaks Leisure Centre) says: “Swimming is not only one of the best ways to get and keep fit it is also an invaluable life skill everyone should have and one which it is easier to acquire earlier in life.”

The open afternoon allowed people of all ages from parents and babies to children and adults to take part in sessions for swimmers of all abilities from the complete beginner through to those wanting to improve their skills, confidence and endurance.

The sessions were led by STA qualified swimming teachers and there was also a fun Sing and Splash session in the teaching pool for little ones to enjoy.

Sevenoaks Leisure Centre created a fun afternoon for all the family with demonstrations, activity sheets, competitions and a chance to make a splash on the centre’s giant water inflatable – plus there was a surprise visit from STAnley, STA’s water safety mascot, which rounded off the day.

The new Sencio Swim Academy is the eighth Academy that STA has launched in England, which aims to raise the standards of swim teaching by introducing a common internationally recognised teaching system and a standardised programme for swimming lessons through STA’s International Learn to Swim Programme (ILSP).

STA already runs successful academy swimming programmes in Cornwall, Scotland, Shropshire, Wolverhampton, South Staffordshire, Tewskesbury, London, and Rochdale and there are plans for further swim schools to convert in 2014.