More Leisure Community Trust (MLCT), the operator of five leisure centres in Oxford, is celebrating a 100% increase in swimming lesson sign ups since it began managing the facilities in April 2024.
Three of the centres operated by MLCT on behalf of Oxford City Council feature swimming pools: Ferry Leisure Centre, Barton Leisure Centre and Leys Pools and Leisure Centre, and each has seen strong growth in the number of adults and children signing up to learn this key life skill.
Since April 2024, MLCT have run a number of Swimming Teachers Association (STA) training courses, adding a total of 27 new, fully qualified teachers since they began managing the leisure facilities.
“We’re currently sitting at just over 2,200 customers who are signed up for our swimming lesson programme. Back in April 2024, on day one of the new contract, we had 1,086 people on the scheme.
“I’m so proud of the swimming teachers we have in Oxford. They’re passionate about teaching a skill that could save someone’s life, and they bring so much energy and fun to every lesson. While we’re now over the 2,000 mark, there’s still plenty of scope for growth, and I’d encourage people of all ages who cannot swim to sign up for our programme. It’s a decision they won’t regret, and you never know, by learning to swim with More Leisure, one day that decision could save your or someone else’s life.”
- Chris Hawkes, MLCT’s Regional Aquatics Manager
"It’s brilliant to see such an increase in people signing up for swimming lessons in Oxford. Learning to swim is a vital life skill, and we want to ensure that as many residents as possible—both children and adults—have access to high-quality lessons. The Council is committed to working with More Leisure Community Trust to make swimming accessible and ensure our pools remain welcoming, inclusive spaces where people can build confidence in the water and stay active.”
Councillor Chewe Munkonge, Cabinet Member for A Healthy Oxford at Oxford City Council
These figures refer specifically to public swimming lessons and do not include school swimming sessions, which are managed separately.
MLCT works in partnership with Serco to manage facilities on behalf of Oxford City Council.
For more information about MCLT, please visit their website, where you can find details on how to sign up for swimming lessons: Oxford City Leisure
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