Swimming

Swimming at Ardingly College

At Ardingly, we pride ourselves on our studies first focus while at the same time providing high level training for our swimmers. Through close collaboration between academic, pastoral and athletic staff we can ensure nothing but the best on all fronts for our student-athletes. We aim to provide pupils with all the tools necessary for their studies and beyond. From perseverance to time-management, dedication to goal-setting, we strive to provide our students with all the skills for a successful future

None of our swimming sessions are compulsory to be a member of the Prep or Senior Swim Squads and we have no minimum attendance requirements. We know many of our pupils attend training sessions at a variety of local swimming clubs and we work with them to compliment the training they are doing. For pupils, including boarders, who want to train solely with Ardingly we aim to make it as easy as possible to manage their sporting and academic workload and make sure training fits as seamlessly as possible around the school day. We provide meals where needed and have a partnership with East Grinstead SC whereby our pupils can race for EGSC at competitions and Club Championships so they don’t miss out on County, Regionals, National Championships, etc. In addition to using the pool at school we have long course (50m pool) sessions at K2 Crawley and strength and conditioning sessions in the gym at the college.

Coaching Staff

  • Karen Pickering MBE OLY - Head of Swimming
  • Danielle Shaw – Swimming Instructor (level 2)
  • Trina Requena – Swimming Instructor (level 2)

School Lessons

Nursery & Pre-Prep Swimming

From the final year of Nursery up to Year 2 the pupils have swimming lessons each week in small groups based on ability with Level 2 qualified swimming instructors

Prep School

Weekly swimming lessons in small groups based on ability for half a term, 2 terms of the year. Swimming is also available as an option in Prep Games 3 times a week coached by head Swimming Coach Ross Hunter

Senior School

Elite Swimming or Fitness Swimming sessions are available by choice in Games (twice a week) &/or EP (twice a week) coached by Head Swimming Coach Ross Hunter & Head of Swimming Karen Pickering MBE

Swimming Achievements

4 x National Championships Qualifiers 2021

Bath Cup 2022 Boys'

4 x 100m Freestyle. Gold

4 x 50m Medley. Silver

Bath Cup 2022 Girls'

4 x 50m Medley. Gold.

Results of the Sussex School Teams 2021

  • Senior Girls Medley Relay 1st
  • Senior Girls Freestyle Relay 2nd
  • Intermediate Girls Medley Relay 1st
  • Intermediate Girls Freestyle 3rd
  • Junior Girls Freestyle Relay 1st
  • Junior Girls Medley Relay 2nd
  • Senior Boys freestyle Relay 1st
  • Senior Boys Medley Relay 1st
  • Junior Boys Freestyle Relay 1st

Extra Curricular

For further information please contact Head of Swimming Karen Pickering for details of fees and availability karen.pickering@ardingly.com

Ardingly Swim School


Private or group swimming lessons from Parent & Baby and kids Learn to Swim through to Adult Fitness sessions.

In school holidays we run Crash Courses.

Prep Squad Training

Trials are held for Prep Squad at the start of the year and there are 4 extra-curricular training sessions available.

Senior Squad Training

There are 4 extra-curricular Senior Squad training sessions each week.

Swimming Skills Sessions

In school holidays we offer a variety of stroke and skills sessions for Junior and Senior Swimmers.

Holiday Training

We maintain training sessions through the school holidays with 5 sessions available for Senior Squad/Development Centre and one for Prep Squad. In addition there are 2 land training session available for Senior Squad swimmers.

Development Centre


For competitive swimmers aged 10 and over. In term time there are 2 sessions each week. In school holidays there are up to 5 sessions per week.

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