ABOUT US

Your Child's Swimming Journey Starts Here

Something magical happens when a nervous beginner becomes a confident swimmer. You'll see it on their face and in their approach every single lesson.

West Sussex's award-winning, family-run swim school, our experienced teachers have been nurturing children of all ages for over 30 years — one splash at a time.

Small classes. Teaching your child to swim with love, passion and care. Once your child swims with us at Penguins, they never want to leave.

OUR ETHOS

EVERY INDIVIDUAL COUNTS

We keep classes small and build relationships that last for life. Instruction is tailored to the individual. With specialist SEND skills, we enjoy supporting swimmers with additional physical, emotional or learning needs to gain confidence in the pool.

A FOCUS ON WATER SAFETY

We are passionate about water safety, both in the pool and in open water. We partner with the RNLI & Swim England to deliver water safety awareness events and training. Many swimmers go on to take their national lifesaving qualifications. Our annual free SwimSafe event gives hundreds of swimmers the skills needed to enjoy the sea responsibly. One young Penguin even managed to rescue his dad, thanks to the skills he learnt with us.

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

We offer an exciting programme of opportunities to broaden water confidence, skills and interests. We partner with Drenched Water Polo Club and have links with the local Competitive Swimming Clubs as well lifesaving groups.

The Penguins swimming teachers are simply outstanding. Their patience, expertise, and ability to connect with children of all ages have been instrumental in our daughters' incredible progress. We couldn't be more impressed with their dedication and skill.
C. Creaton

Before coming to Penguins, our son had struggled with anxiety and low self-confidence. Thanks to their amazing support and inclusive, tailored approach, he loves being in water and has gained confidence, self-esteem, physical development, and coordination. We have loved seeing him grow socially and emotionally. We are incredibly thankful.

Penguins is a wonderful place for both of our girls to learn to swim. They enjoy their lessons enormously and this is down to the fantastic teaching they receive from Gill, Vanessa and yourself. The patience, understanding, and kindness you all consistently showed made such a difference, not just in their swimming ability but also in their confidence around water.
R. Stickley

MEET THE TEAM

LINETTE WHEELER FOUNDER

It all started in the sea. Linette's love of swimming began as a toddler and grew into a successful career as a club, county and national swimmer.

In 1994 she founded Penguins, driven by a desire to share that passion with others. Her belief in nurturing every individual, inclusive teaching and emotional empowerment is the heartbeat of everything Penguins stands for. "I started Penguins because I believe everyone deserves to love the water. Thirty years later, I still believe that."

GILLIAN BUTTON

With over thirty years of teaching experience, boundless enthusiasm, and a genuine gift for making children love the water, Gill is at the heart of everything that makes Penguins special.

Her specialist SEND background brings unique depth to every lesson — introducing 'Say it and Sign' to support communication, symbol prompts for visual learners, and sensory learning techniques tailored to the pool.

Gill's wealth of knowledge and qualifications means every child can learn at their own pace, in their own way, because she understands that no two children are the same.

A proud flag bearer for inclusivity since the very beginning, Gill has shaped the warm, welcoming culture that makes Penguins so much more than a swimming school.
"In the water, every child can shine."

VANESSA LAVENDER

It started with a leap — literally. At three years old, Vanessa jumped into the pool after her older brother and never stopped swimming! A county-level competitor and qualified teacher since the age of 17, she joined Penguins in 2014 and also coaches with Worthing Swimming Club.

Watching children learn, develop and grow in the water is what drives her — and she's proud of every single one of them.

"Success looks different for every child — and celebrating every single one of those moments is my favourite part of my role.”

HANNAH BEADLE

Hannah has been part of the Penguins family since she was four years old — and she never really left!

Now also a qualified primary school teacher, she brings structure, warmth and real expertise to the poolside. Known for her patience and nurturing nature, Hannah is passionate about helping children find their confidence in the water — one stroke at a time.
"Every swimmer has their moment."

KATH LAMBERT

As well as being a swimming teacher, Kath is a qualified Shaw Method Coach, Open Water Coach and Beach Lifeguard — bringing a remarkable breadth of experience to every lesson and splitting her time between the pool and the sea at Shoreham. Her rare combination of pool and open water expertise brings a unique and inspiring dimension to her teaching at Penguins.

"Water is a magical place where you can forget about all your chores and homework. It helps you listen to your own body and reminds you who you are."

OUR HELPERS

Our Lovely Helpers have been part of the Penguins family from the very beginning of their own swimming journeys — and now they've come full circle. Trained by us as helpers and lifeguards, they mentor and nurture our little swimmers taking their first splashes, with a deep and personal understanding of every step of the journey.

We are incredibly proud of the wonderful young people we have helped to develop — in and out of the water.

ASA SWIM SCHOOL OF THE YEAR

We are incredibly proud to have received this wonderful accolade — a recognition of our dedication to providing a consistently exceptional swim school where every swimmer is noticed, known and valued as an individual. A commitment we have honoured since 1994.